I mean I'm not super hopeful of the podium but what we see above is nowhere near the final product... There's gates, elevators and unfinished portions galore. I'd withhold any judgement until it's done.
I have to admit, even I thought the terracotta/orange coloured panel motif on the podium would turn out better than the red/grey curtainwall crap being slapped up. G+C never fails to disappoint, even when you go in with low expectations. : /
If they clad the red portions on the base with a brick veneer similar to the Selby it would look much better, and also provide some continuity with the brick next door.
I mean, I'm not gonna defend G+C or anything, but it does look cleaner with the balconies installed. They do obscure and distract from some of the spandrel and mullions.
This really is the poster child for real estate development as capital extraction. No thought, huge floorplate, tall as you can go, appalling materials, happy Canderel.