googspecial
Active Member
They also finally added the LRT lines to the transit view a couple months ago... Hopefully they'll do the MAX lines nextt.
|
|
|
- Thread starter Surrealplaces
- Start date
Cowtown
Senior Member
You're of the right opinion.
CCF
Active Member
It shocks me that CBC/Herald gives so much space to White, considering that there are (many) other more informed voices on city building in Calgary that they could be amplifying. Unfortunately, White's work is entirely anecdotal without any evidence to ever support the arguments and claims being made. I mean....he once claimed in an article that Calgary has the most walkable city centre in the world....and that there isn't a more pedestrian friendly city in the world. Like....come on. It's one thing to be proud and a booster of your city, but we do ourselves no favours in improving the quality and livability of the city by sticking our heads in the sand.
Last edited:
Disraeli
Active Member
I'm not a fan of Richard White's hot-takes either, but at least he is not afraid about being passionate about this city as it is rather than the navel gazing, "if only Calgary was more like Vancouver" commentators that are out there.
AJX
Active Member
There are people with worse takes, but I find myself doing a lot of eye rolls whenever I read something of his.
I don’t have anything against him personally, but CBC and Herald need to get off their lazy stale asses and find somebody fresh.
Silence&Motion
Senior Member
Not sure if this counts as a development or an infill, but there is an *interesting* proposal for a mixed-use building in Marda Loop at 1934 34 Ave SW. Architecture's pretty ugly. Doesn't look like the developer has any experience doing anything like this. Nonetheless, if I'm interpreting the application properly, they are proposing 8(!) retail units, two residential units, and artist studio space.
Proposal:
What is there currently:
Relatedly, the two houses just to the east of this property have been re-adapted into several retail units as part of the Shops at Avenue Thirty Four. It's a tremendously well done renovation that maintains the basic architecture of the houses, while putting in really fine-grained, human-scaled retail. There's patio with a wood burning fireplace that's always packed.
Proposal:
What is there currently:
Relatedly, the two houses just to the east of this property have been re-adapted into several retail units as part of the Shops at Avenue Thirty Four. It's a tremendously well done renovation that maintains the basic architecture of the houses, while putting in really fine-grained, human-scaled retail. There's patio with a wood burning fireplace that's always packed.
Silence&Motion
Senior Member
CBBarnett
Senior Member
That's a really weird/interesting one - the clock thing is super weird, the parcel is just slightly off the terminating vista of 19 Street right there. So it's *almost* in a place where a clock or architectural flourish would make sense.
The plans also show a huge amount of exterior stair structures in the plan. Seems likely to be bizarre looking if it ends up being built as detailed here, but the uses seem very sensible. That's a lot of small/micro retail units on one parcel. Will help Marda Loop's strange double corridor of 33 / 34 Ave continue.
adamyyc
Active Member
The Shops at Avenue Thirty Four were were developed by Leonard Development Group, so I'm hoping that they will find a way to replicate that success here. I agree that architecture isn't great (looks like an old west saloon), but I'm cautiously optimistic given how great the Shops at Avenue Thirty Four turned out! They used quality materials and the design was thoughtful! Le Comptoir has quickly become a neighbourhood favourite!
Silence&Motion
Senior Member
I didn't realize that this was the same developer as the one that did the neighbouring development ("The Shops"). If that's the case, then I have much more confidence in this project. All those external stairs look weird, but the Shops also has a lot of external walkways and stairs and it actually adds to the charm. The elevations on this stretch of 34 are challenging and it seems like they're trying to anticipate further changes to the sidewalks as part of the main streets project.
Urban Outdoorsman
Active Member
It's an usual proposal, but that's kinda what I like about it! I love that Mardaloop is becoming a sort of testing ground for new and creative building types and uses. I feel like it's been a good 60 years since a small scale retail project with residential above has been built in this city. Lots of examples of old 2 story buildings with retail and residential, but it's nice to see some new proposals to mix things up!
Hopefully they pull it off and it adds to the growing quirky and vibrant feel of Mardaloop
Hopefully they pull it off and it adds to the growing quirky and vibrant feel of Mardaloop
MichaelS
Senior Member
Lose the clock And put windows there instead and I think it actually is a really good little development.
The clock on a huge piece of siding wall really brings down the design. I don’t even necessarily mind the clock if it was done properly, like the one they have at Maxwell Bates block.
lemongrab
Active Member
The clock may come in handy for time-travelling purposes though
konradiical
Active Member
Besides Sunalta Heghts, Hat 14th, Park Central. Are there any other towers getting built/ or soon to start getting built during the summer? I wonder if now that we are slowly exiting the pandemic, if construction will pick up.
I guess I just am inpatient to see more density and towers in the downtown area lol
I guess I just am inpatient to see more density and towers in the downtown area lol