Duke Tower Kitchener | 39 fl | completed

[tomh009]

I really don't think the Duke St side is much more attractive, either.

[Momo26]

Massive podium:tower footprint ratio. Yah I dont know what's going on with the black and white side. Maybe we wait until it's done to pass judgement!

[Spokes]

Reserving judgement....reserving judgement....reserving judgement.

[midriser]

Trying to reserve judgment as well, but so far this is shaping up to be just a taller version of a Northdale style student housing complex, with lots of cheap spandrel and mostly unsuccessful application of patterns and colours. At least these aren’t crazy reds and blues and oranges and yellows all on the same building like a few of the recent developments on Albert. That said, it’s also not too surprising as it looks like student housing is the main focus of IN8 Developments. Ever since it was announced that they were the developer I’ve been a bit worried, even though the renders kinda looked ok.

Hopefully the tower portion will be better, and that the look of podium improves as more gets completed.

[westwardloo]

I will repeat what I have said previously. This is a tall building for the region and that is it. It will not win any beauty contests. The tower is just as much a dysfunctional mess as the podium in my opinion. I only hope we aren't left with this building as our tallest for decades to come like Hamilton's landmark place.

[Momo26]

Please dont look as terrible as Landmark Place!

[panamaniac]

To be fair, the original render seemed to show an open parking garage on the Frederick St side of the podium. Any covering would seem to be an improvement on that ...

[mastermind]

I will repeat what I have said previously. This is a tall building for the region and that is it. I will not win any beauty contests. The tower is just as much a dysfunctional mess as the podium in my opinion. I only hope we aren't left with this building as our tallest for decades to come like Hamilton's landmark place.

Not sure anyone was judging your looks...   :-P

[westwardloo]

I will repeat what I have said previously. This is a tall building for the region and that is it. I will not win any beauty contests. The tower is just as much a dysfunctional mess as the podium in my opinion. I only hope we aren't left with this building as our tallest for decades to come like Hamilton's landmark place.

Not sure anyone was judging your looks...   :-P

haha haha my bad

[cherrypark]

To be fair, the original render seemed to show an open parking garage on the Frederick St side of the podium.  Any covering would seem to be an improvement on that ...

It might improve a bit with the final finish, but I would say I would rather the open garage with the dressing in the render over the mass of this wall on a major street front.

[panamaniac]

To be fair, the original render seemed to show an open parking garage on the Frederick St side of the podium.  Any covering would seem to be an improvement on that ...

It might improve a bit with the final finish, but I would say I would rather the open garage with the dressing in the render over the mass of this wall on a major street front.

Dressing in the render?  All I see is an open parking garage, although the render is very unclear.

[tomh009]

Here is what the podium facade (on Frederick St) is supposed to be. Precast panels with some metal trim.

Not sure if everyone has only seen an initial marketing render of this project or not but from the renderings I have seen it looks like they are building it as proposed with precast concert panels. 

It appears that they are going to attach some metal louvers in a "decorative" pattern. some of the louvers are supposed to hid LED light fixtures, but who knows.

I am not sure the Architects thought it was going to look this bad when they designed it, but does not appear to be turning out great.

[jeffster]

I think we need to see this building completed before passing judgment. Just a guess though, it will look better at night than day.

[Momo26]

Yah, overcast night?

[cherrypark]

It might improve a bit with the final finish, but I would say I would rather the open garage with the dressing in the render over the mass of this wall on a major street front.

Dressing in the render?  All I see is an open parking garage, although the render is very unclear.

I was thinking of this one from the marketing materials. Not the height of design, but seemed like it would blend in a bit more.