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(07-23-2020, 06:37 PM)Momo26 Wrote: [ -> ]What's everyone thought on that one concrete side (partial side by looks of it)?

I think it looks alright. Sort of gives it a tower 1 & 2 difference and looks similar to the colour that the new office block will be.
(07-23-2020, 09:18 PM)cherrypark Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-23-2020, 06:37 PM)Momo26 Wrote: [ -> ]What's everyone thought on that one concrete side (partial side by looks of it)?

I think it looks alright. Sort of gives it a tower 1 & 2 difference and looks similar to the colour that the new office block will be.

I'm sure it will be painted to match the yellow on the first one, no?
(07-27-2020, 07:37 PM)Lens Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-23-2020, 09:18 PM)cherrypark Wrote: [ -> ]I think it looks alright. Sort of gives it a tower 1 & 2 difference and looks similar to the colour that the new office block will be.

I'm sure it will be painted to match the yellow on the first one, no?

If I recall correctly, the prefab arrived painted last time. Given the dark colour, brick texture, and that precedent I'm guessing no, but it's possible they might be doing it differently this time.
(07-27-2020, 07:57 PM)cherrypark Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-27-2020, 07:37 PM)Lens Wrote: [ -> ]I'm sure it will be painted to match the yellow on the first one, no?

If I recall correctly, the prefab arrived painted last time. Given the dark colour, brick texture, and that precedent I'm guessing no, but it's possible they might be doing it differently this time.

The differences that I've noticed so far:  
- Tower Two has more pre-cast wall sections and they're in two colours, light grey brick texture and dark-grey (black) with stucco texture.  Tower one has only the yellow brick texture precast panels and there's less use of them overall.
- The balcony positions are also mostly flush against the building vs. Tower One which has more balconies sticking out.

Honestly, I think they're cheaping out with changes.
I think the cheaping out became prevalent with Circa and Arrow II which looks like a nicer 90s rental apartment and retirement independent living home married together (per renderings).

So I'm not surprised. Just sucks as this is KWs opportunity to really become a leader in high rise design and quality before going cheap 2 or 3 dozen buildings into the boom. If going cheap, At least go good looking cheap with pure glass a la Lakeshore Toronto ha.
KW as a leader in architectural design? Well, one can always dream!
(07-30-2020, 03:49 PM)Momo26 Wrote: [ -> ]I think the cheaping out became prevalent with Circa and Arrow II which looks like a nicer 90s rental apartment and retirement independent living home married together (per renderings).

So I'm not surprised. Just sucks as this is KWs opportunity to really become a leader in high rise design and quality before going cheap 2 or 3 dozen buildings into the boom. If going cheap, At least go good looking cheap with pure glass a la Lakeshore Toronto ha.

Certainly a bit of same its not the same as the west facade of Tower #1, but possible some of those changes arose between the plans and design of the building when it was just 100 Vic and the final conception of it connecting with Garment St. Not sure why that would change it, but just comparing to the original renders.
Can you post original vs revitalised renderings?

I like the idea of all 3 connected - will create a sort of community vibe and IMO 3 buildings is pretty much a minimum for this (in a certain area). Although not connected (less perhaps a pair of buildings), my mind goes to CityPlace Toronto and namely a circle of 3 to 4 condos (right next to Spadina) where there is always hustle and bustle.

Hopefully GREAT anchoring restaurants and stores take up the retail to create a vibe...things that stay open late...and at least some that open early. A great coffee shop, a bakery, resto like Cibo or equivalent, gourmet pizza, maybe a nice version convenience store like 'World news'? or whatever it's called.
(07-30-2020, 03:49 PM)Momo26 Wrote: [ -> ]I think the cheaping out became prevalent with Circa and Arrow II which looks like a nicer 90s rental apartment and retirement independent living home married together (per renderings).

So I'm not surprised. Just sucks as this is KWs opportunity to really become a leader in high rise design and quality before going cheap 2 or 3 dozen buildings into the boom. If going cheap, At least go good looking cheap with pure glass a la Lakeshore Toronto ha.

So ... "prevalent" means "widespread in a particular area", and two buildings can't really do that on their own. While there are buildings targeting different markets, I don't see any serious cheaping out in DTK at the moment. We'll know in a few months what Arrow 2 (or 100) will look like, but Mayfair, Market Lofts, Scott St and Young all look decent. Too early to tell with Drewlo given the renders, but they are not targeting high-end rentals in any case.

And, finally, every developer makes independent decisions. It's not so easy for the city staff (or council) to impact the architecture, let alone detailing, of privately-owned developments.
(07-30-2020, 03:49 PM)Momo26 Wrote: [ -> ]I think the cheaping out became prevalent with Circa and Arrow II which looks like a nicer 90s rental apartment and retirement independent living home married together (per renderings).

So I'm not surprised. Just sucks as this is KWs opportunity to really become a leader in high rise design and quality before going cheap 2 or 3 dozen buildings into the boom. If going cheap, At least go good looking cheap with pure glass a la Lakeshore Toronto ha.

Disliking the appearance doesn't make it cheap. I know I'm in the minority, but I prefer the appearance of Circa over some of the more generic glass filled projects in the region. That said, Circa could be cheap for all I know. Has anyone here been inside it yet?

(07-30-2020, 09:24 PM)tomh009 Wrote: [ -> ]So ... "prevalent" means "widespread in a particular area", and two buildings can't really do that on their own. While there are buildings targeting different markets, I don't see any serious cheaping out in DTK at the moment. We'll know in a few months what Arrow 2 (or 100) will look like, but Mayfair, Market Lofts, Scott St and Young all look decent. Too early to tell with Drewlo given the renders, but they are not targeting high-end rentals in any case.

And, finally, every developer makes independent decisions. It's not so easy for the city staff (or council) to impact the architecture, let alone detailing, of privately-owned developments.

The same as my above point, but in the opposite direction: Young may look good (not for my tastes, but for most I suppose), but the only person I've met who lived there did not have anything good to say about the quality of it.
City Centre phase 1 is one of the few with on-going and apparently outstanding Tarion warranty issues so yes, Andrin Homes has the reputation they do. Well the building and the next should look good, they are far from being good.
(07-30-2020, 03:51 PM)panamaniac Wrote: [ -> ]KW as a leader in architectural design?  Well, one can always dream!

It'd be nice. We have the University of Waterloo Architecture School, one of the best in the world with an amazing program (with connections to Rome), but it seems to play little influence in the local architecture.
I can only dream.
(07-31-2020, 12:18 PM)ac3r Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-30-2020, 03:51 PM)panamaniac Wrote: [ -> ]KW as a leader in architectural design?  Well, one can always dream!

It'd be nice. We have the University of Waterloo Architecture School, one of the best in the world with an amazing program (with connections to Rome), but it seems to play little influence in the local architecture.

Just like engineering and computer science, I expect most of the grads end up moving away from the region.
(07-31-2020, 08:46 PM)tomh009 Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-31-2020, 12:18 PM)ac3r Wrote: [ -> ]It'd be nice. We have the University of Waterloo Architecture School, one of the best in the world with an amazing program (with connections to Rome), but it seems to play little influence in the local architecture.

Just like engineering and computer science, I expect most of the grads end up moving away from the region.

Definitely. I worked there a short while, and most students leave for other cities or countries once they graduate. They come out with good credentials, amazing portfolios and in many cases good work experience, but because Waterloo Region has almost no good architecture, almost demand for it, no interesting or innovative architecture firms, the students all leave for more rewarding locales.

The only truly interesting and prestigious buildings here are the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics by Teeple Architects and the Canadian Clay and Glass Museum by Patkau Architects. Both firms are very well known around the world. Living and working here doesn't really inspire young architects since there isn't much to inspire.
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