MissingMiddle
Active Member
That CBE building is stunning example of brutalist architecture, and is especially important because we've demolished most brutalist buildings. I really hope it gets a good adaptive reuse.
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- Thread starter Surrealplaces
- Start date
FCC1982
Active Member
Well making that stretch free - flow is part of the “Medium Term” plans which “could” begin construction after 2027 so not that far away. But in reality will likely not begin construction until the 2030s at least I’d say.
Mountain Man
Senior Member
Couldn't agree more. Sadly it's been sitting fenced off for about 5 years now, so I imagine the building is in pretty rough shape.
The Family of Man would look so at home in Riley Park, or over at the Peace Bridge plaza.
CBBarnett
Senior Member
True - but anything more prominent would attract even more people.
Exactly! Turns out its current location - in an gopher-hole covered field, next to the abandoned fenced-off former CBE headquarters surrounded by 5 lane high-traffic one-ways and zero local population or destinations - is about as bad as you can get to put public art.
darwink
Senior Member
I think GWL did asbestos remediation, and before that remediation after the 2013 flood, and hopefully left it winter proofed to the degree that a likely water heated building can be.
MissingMiddle
Active Member
One of the main reasons brutalism failed, IMO, is the use of materials was way ahead of its time in relation to building science technology. It lead to very rapid degradation and as a result, a lot of neglect. If we were to build the same thing now, we'd take a much different approach. So every brutalist building that undergoes restoration/rehabilitation needs very extensive intervention anyway.
If Calgary only rescues one brutalist building, it should be the CBE. It's remarkably well suited for an active street frontage and a rooftop patio/bar. It'd likely involve an addition on the west side to make it financially viable, but it deserves some love.
darwink
Senior Member
Can't find it quickly, but there was at least a design study done of the CBE building reimagined as home to Contemporary Calgary. All I can find is this even more fantastical exploration: http://www.spectacle-bureau.com/Educational Oversight.html
Calgcouver
Active Member
If we are talking aspirationally what would be cool for the CBE site: Westbank buy the site and reuse the King Toronto design for the block but incorporate all of or parts of the CBE building and put the surrounding roads on a major diet. Like this but with the CBE building
UrbanWarrior
Senior Member
I had no idea “BowForth Park” was a thing. I think this is the land that the monastery donated to the city! The fenced in off leash area is perfect.
We were walking by and I was surprised, so we went in and Aurora got to have her second time trying off leash and she did amazing
We were walking by and I was surprised, so we went in and Aurora got to have her second time trying off leash and she did amazing
MichaelS
Senior Member
It is barely a thing, and it is temporary (although, talking years here)..... The land (might have been donated, not sure) is owned by The City, and will eventually be used to pull 4th Ave away from the river and realign it, along with 5th and 6th, to the west of 11th street as part of the West Village redevelopment. This will allow a larger, wider riverwalk style river pathway go in adjacent to the river.
While I can't comment to the dog park (no dog family), I hope the fence comes down on the part in your photo this spring. It has been 2 full years fenced in like that, waiting for the grass to take. The city doesn't water it though, so it is having a rough go.
They did put sod in on the south side of the lane however. It does make a nice lawn space, and we would take our son there on occassion. However, it is simply an empty field, with one or two rocks and a picnic table in it. That is it. I would kill to have even the rejected playground equipment from Humpty Hollow Park in the Beltline put in, this patch of grass would become an anthill of activity with all the families in the surrounding towers. But alas, it is just a piece of grass. Apparently it was quite a fight to get even just this (both the DWCA and even some planners at the City), and keeping costs down was very much the driving factor in design/construction.
It is really quite frustrating. the Downtown West End pays more property tax on a per acre basis than any other residential neighbourhood in the city, yet this is the best amenity we can get. Even Shaw Millennium Park gets the bare minimum. No flowers were planted in that park last year, the beds round the obelisk clock (that doesn't seem to work or is never turned on) were just overgrown weed beds last year.
While I can't comment to the dog park (no dog family), I hope the fence comes down on the part in your photo this spring. It has been 2 full years fenced in like that, waiting for the grass to take. The city doesn't water it though, so it is having a rough go.
They did put sod in on the south side of the lane however. It does make a nice lawn space, and we would take our son there on occassion. However, it is simply an empty field, with one or two rocks and a picnic table in it. That is it. I would kill to have even the rejected playground equipment from Humpty Hollow Park in the Beltline put in, this patch of grass would become an anthill of activity with all the families in the surrounding towers. But alas, it is just a piece of grass. Apparently it was quite a fight to get even just this (both the DWCA and even some planners at the City), and keeping costs down was very much the driving factor in design/construction.
It is really quite frustrating. the Downtown West End pays more property tax on a per acre basis than any other residential neighbourhood in the city, yet this is the best amenity we can get. Even Shaw Millennium Park gets the bare minimum. No flowers were planted in that park last year, the beds round the obelisk clock (that doesn't seem to work or is never turned on) were just overgrown weed beds last year.
UrbanWarrior
Senior Member
The fenced in area (off leash park) has no grass, it is entirely gravel. I hope it stays for exactly as long as it takes to get that riverwalk expansion you mentioned. Until then, it should stay unless they actually put play equipment in or something. That sucks about the lack of activation for kids/families for sure. At least you guys are pretty close to Prince's Island and Riley Park though? It is always nice to have that sort of thing inside thee neighbourhood though. I'm surprised Millennium Park doesn't have a playground. For a small area with a population density of 6000/km2, you'd think the West End would have something.
From what I recall, this little park was always just supposed to be temporary, though I thought it was until something was built on it. Glad to hear it will be used for city-building instead.
From what I recall, this little park was always just supposed to be temporary, though I thought it was until something was built on it. Glad to hear it will be used for city-building instead.
Thrillhou
Active Member
That's good to see for dog owners in the area. Laughably this is the other designated off leash area close by Calgary, Alberta https://maps.app.goo.gl/thTihNTLdZXmAAof6
Sandwiched between 14th Street and Bow Trail. Not exactly a safe place to have a dog running around.
Sandwiched between 14th Street and Bow Trail. Not exactly a safe place to have a dog running around.
Mountain Man
Senior Member
The city drives me nuts with their off leash areas, the bike path through pumphouse is actually an off-leash park. I can't think of a worse place for dogs to be off leash than the bike path. There are some pretty good ones though, the top of Edworthy is a mecca for dogs!
Speaking park space, nice to see the new flyover park in use
