And then there's just the big bulk of the building. IMO height is not so important as width for these kinds of things. Most of the time people are looking forward or sideways, not up, so there isn't really that much of a difference between a 4 storey building or a 40 storey building. However, when you have a big building that's almost 100m wide, that's a rather long walk next to a building where what's in your field of view isn't changing. Especially due to the lack of setbacks and narrow sidewalks, if you're on the north side of King, the Kaufman building is going to take up the entire half of your field of view, with the asphalt of King taking up much of the other half (and up until 1-2 years ago some low slung buildings). If it was possible to walk further from Kaufman lofts, you might be better able to appreciate the building in full, like with K-W collegiate which is another big building further up on King, but with much more of a setback. With Kaufman lofts you need to be on the other side of the street and even then it would be better to be further back.
Setbacks aren't always a good thing, but having buildings close to the sidewalk is mostly good under certain conditions:
-architectural details and activity that's meant to be appreciated from up close. However, there isn't really any small scale detail on the building, no shop windows, no balconies or porches. The windows generally have their blinds drawn for privacy since they're residential, but even if they weren't, they're not really at eye level, the basement windows are below eye level and the 1st floor's window's are above eye level so even without blinds you would probably not be able to see too far in.
-narrow buildings so that there is a varied view. Kaufman Lofts is one of the widest buildings in K-W, or at least urban K-W.
-the UW campus has some sections with neither of these characteristics, however the campus is pedestrianized. That means you don't feel like you're squeezed onto a narrow strip between a massive impenetrable building and a relatively dangerous big busy road. Also the walkways at UW are wider than the King St sidewalks by Kaufman lofts.
Setbacks aren't always a good thing, but having buildings close to the sidewalk is mostly good under certain conditions:
-architectural details and activity that's meant to be appreciated from up close. However, there isn't really any small scale detail on the building, no shop windows, no balconies or porches. The windows generally have their blinds drawn for privacy since they're residential, but even if they weren't, they're not really at eye level, the basement windows are below eye level and the 1st floor's window's are above eye level so even without blinds you would probably not be able to see too far in.
-narrow buildings so that there is a varied view. Kaufman Lofts is one of the widest buildings in K-W, or at least urban K-W.
-the UW campus has some sections with neither of these characteristics, however the campus is pedestrianized. That means you don't feel like you're squeezed onto a narrow strip between a massive impenetrable building and a relatively dangerous big busy road. Also the walkways at UW are wider than the King St sidewalks by Kaufman lofts.