What do you think of this project?

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Any chance the convention centre has plans for a big expansion in the future and does this hinder that at all? The hotel portion would be great for it and I assume there is enough space with the surface lot to the west and potentially could expand south over Grierson hill road.
 
The first version was an effort by Brad Kennedy (Pearl and Symphony were also products from his design mind) and his design concept was not "pie in the sky" and might well have proceeded to construction documents. Whatever the disagreements between Brad and Alldritt -- we may never know -- he was let go and Gene Dub was hired in his stead. The second so-called rendering was, as Ken alluded to, a simple massing model that actually led to the rendering that we have seen most recently (in other words 2 and 3 were part of the same process). The new version is no more "realistic" than Brad Kennedy's vision -- just different. Gene Dub has his own design idiom. As I have stated before on this site, because of coal seams and abandoned mine shafts, there is a requirement that whatever is built at this location will require deep footings and the deep footings relative to their costs will require a large structure above grade to make the entire effort cost-effective. So expect the final tower to be very tall. Alldritt is looking to create a City within a City with this legacy project with Hotel, condos, rental apartments, offices and retail all within one "legacy" structure. This is the most qualified site in the entire City for such a project -- first class hotel next door to the Convention Centre; expensive, high-class condos with a dramatic view of the river valley and a direct valley pedestrian connection; expensive rental apartments (same rationale); and retail that picks up on the Convention Centre business and envisions the Quarters being an art-centric section of the City.
 
archited said:
The first version was an effort by Brad Kennedy (Pearl and Symphony were also products from his design mind) and his design concept was not "pie in the sky" and might well have proceeded to construction documents. Whatever the disagreements between Brad and Alldritt -- we may never know -- he was let go and Gene Dub was hired in his stead. The second so-called rendering was, as Ken alluded to, a simple massing model that actually led to the rendering that we have seen most recently (in other words 2 and 3 were part of the same process). The new version is no more "realistic" than Brad Kennedy's vision -- just different. Gene Dub has his own design idiom. As I have stated before on this site, because of coal seams and abandoned mine shafts, there is a requirement that whatever is built at this location will require deep footings and the deep footings relative to their costs will require a large structure above grade to make the entire effort cost-effective. So expect the final tower to be very tall. Alldritt is looking to create a City within a City with this legacy project with Hotel, condos, rental apartments, offices and retail all within one "legacy" structure. This is the most qualified site in the entire City for such a project -- first class hotel next door to the Convention Centre; expensive, high-class condos with a dramatic view of the river valley and a direct valley pedestrian connection; expensive rental apartments (same rationale); and retail that picks up on the Convention Centre business and envisions the Quarters being an art-centric section of the City.
Click to expand...
I always felt that Kennedys design would call for an unjustifiable price per square foot, and that we would eventually get a bulkier floor plate on this building to make sure it goes ahead and gets successful sales.

That said, I like both designs. This one feels like something straight out of Chicago. And with only 30 story building in the vicinity to “compete” with its height, this thing is going to be awe inspiring for those hiking down in bottom of the valley.
 
kcantor said:
i'm pretty sure the "second one" was not a rendering but a simple massing model...
Click to expand...
Okay then how about the photo at the top of this thread is the one they should really build if they’re actually going to do it because it’s drop dead gorgeous?
 
Alldritt doesn't even own all of the land yet as far as I know so until the land transfers to them, if it even does at all, don't expect to see much action imo.
 
Hospitality loans are going to be a lot easier in 2023 since we’ve been back to normal for almost a year now and it’s proven that tourism is returning. With the proposed Hyatt hotel on Jasper turning into apartments there’s still demand for another hotel on Jasper Ave. I hope when it comes to residences they can design them better than sky residences. Legends condos did a good job and that’s why the Jw and Encore are a lot more bright than stantec. People have that kind of money here it’s just not like Toronto where you buy what’s available and are satisfied. Here people can get something a lot nicer for the same price range. Which means you have to put actual quality in their designs. Im assuming during this waiting time they’ve been watching what’s gone right and what’s gone wrong with these new buildings downtown.
 
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