[O-tac]

I don’t think it’s that discouraging. It’s the 61st ave frontage that counts. As long as 61st Ave. turns out decently the TOD will be fine.

Isn't the frontage on 61st just a slab and a parking lot with a bank?

Edit: I guess anything is an improvement over its current state though:

Google Maps

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[zzkwilliamcanada]

finally there is a project. i am tired to see homeless around there.

 

[maestro]

I don’t think it’s that discouraging. It’s the 61st ave frontage that counts. As long as 61st Ave. turns out decently the TOD will be fine.

A few tweaks here and there you could have something that could lead to Griffintown. Instead the developer, a major national brand, doesn't seem to care about creating something better than the status quo which will only encourage other property owners not to care. IMHO, TOD should have a higher standard than high rises around transit and residential being homes than workplaces should have the highest design standards of all. Doesn't even matter if there is ground floor retail.

 

[JoeUrban]

It looks like the west half of the NW building (the one that fronts 60th ave) has ground level units with patios so that least that should provide some decent non-communist frontage.

 

[GoVertical]

Would be great to see something finally happen with this site.

 

[CallmeCatbread]

Hopefully the rest of that block gets developed sometime soon

 

[HudsonA08]

It will match up nicely with Glenmore Heights apartments. That said any development here is welcome, and I would hope the price reflect the nature of the space. I agree EV has a lot going for it - this will need more ($$$) to attract people to the location.

 

[Mountain Man]

It's a mix between the commie blocks in Kingsland and the ugly architecture of the Lumino buildings to the north! lol

 

[CalgaryTiger]

It's a mix between the commie blocks in Kingsland and the ugly architecture of the Lumino buildings to the north! lol

This is better than this...

It looks like the west half of the NW building (the one that fronts 60th ave) has ground level units with patios so that least that should provide some decent non-communist frontage.

And there's a fun little establishment across the street from the NW corner, very convenient for a certain clientele.

 

[badc0ffee]

Edit: I suppose the 2 natural corridors would be 61st and 58th. But it would be good to set out a North/South one as well

1A St comes to mind. It already has some commercial development, a good scale, and crucially, already has sidewalks. It goes all the way to 50 Ave, although is basically weeds and chain link fences north of 52 Ave.

 

[JoeUrban]

1A St comes to mind. It already has some commercial development, a good scale, and crucially, already has sidewalks. It goes all the way to 50 Ave, although is basically weeds and chain link fences north of 52 Ave.

Good call being that it's already Manchester residential community's commercial strip and it intersects with the LRT station.

 

[Dārayavauš]

I think it is a decent enough design. It could be better of course, but getting more density in the area will be good.

I think CF will have a better design for the residential towers that they will put in the parking lot right in front of Chinook Mall.

That being said, I was in London recently and the apartments they put right across from Masonville Mall were far far nicer and definitely looked more on the luxury side. Was hoping to see something similar here in all honesty.

 

[darwink]

Masonville Mall

That benefits greatly from the proximity to Western and the University Hospital. Even though this is proximate to Rockyview, it isn't the same. The developments near Masonville are also 1/4 the height if my memory serves.

 

[CBBarnett]

Wowsers. It's giving me serious 1970s Ontario "commie-block" vibes but first and foremost it will serve as a catalyst to get more density and pedestrian activity in the Chinook LRT area, so I'm good with it..

the 1970s Ontario "commie block" is the secret sauce for how Toronto can somehow still have millions of people living it with houses averaging millions of dollars. 750,000 units in basic slab buildings are the affordability engine that keeps the actual city alive while the Vancouver-style investor condo market frothed around it.

Is the best form for development? probably not. But its a lot of housing, in a simple building form, in a key location with great transit and a high density of local jobs. It'll be easy to rent these units out indefinitely. Like many "first-in" developments the problem isn't so much this development, it's the fact the rest of the area is so lacking anything of reasonable design at all.

30 years from now this location will still be very central but the building will be an affordable access point.

 

[John Wick]

Density near transit and a major shopping destination is a win....despite its uninspiring design.
Any idea on the number of units they're planning?