[feepa]

The Oliver
Developer: Architect: CW Tse Architects and ISL Engineering and Landscape Architecture. Location: 10024 110 Street. Number of Floors: 14
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/8740/540093e624159sd8.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i304/Coltrain78/smscan1.jpg

Rate it 10 really good, 1 really bad.

[ExcaliburKid]

Podium stinks, otherwise I like.

[Coldrsx]

i gave it an 8...i quite like this.

[240glt]

8 for me too. I like it.

Who's the douche who gave this a 1 ? :koko:

[HomeInMyShoes]

I have to say disappointing without townhomes for the podium. It's such a quiet street with a nice feel that it's an ideal place for townhomes. If the rendering colours are accurate then the red versus green glass is harkening back to what? The tower that must not be named? The tower itself is nice, but it's a miss overall for me for what that area could be.

[Kevin_foster]

To be blunt - Podium sucks donkeys ballocks. The tower, however, is quite nice.

Good to see something different for a change. Finally a nonstandard curtain wall! wooo!!

The penthouse will be kickass..

[Coldrsx]

to each their own, but other than townhouses (WHICH SHOULD BE HERE PEOPLE), it is nice.

[newfangled]

What is that podium? Is it supposed to be two stories of commercial?

That's a really strange spot for it, considering that it's on a narrow one-way street that is all residential, and which is far enough from Jasper to be out-of-the-way, but not far enough away that it's serving a different market?

Are they planning it to be a little professional building for architects, dentists, lawyers...? I can't see much retail interest in that location.

[CanadianCentaur]

The tower looks pretty nice, but the podium clashes like crazy.

[Coldrsx]

What is that podium? Is it supposed to be two stories of commercial?

That's a really strange spot for it, considering that it's on a narrow one-way street that is all residential, and which is far enough from Jasper to be out-of-the-way, but not far enough away that it's serving a different market?

Are they planning it to be a little professional building for architects, dentists, lawyers...? I can't see much retail interest in that location.

no retail there kids...this will likely be amenity space.

[Coldrsx]

im not saying im the architectural demi-god, but anyone who did this should be ashamed of themselves with regards to being on this site:

1 2 7.14%
2 2 7.14%
3 0 0%
4 2 7.14%
5 2 7.14%

[newfangled]

no retail there kids...this will likely be amenity space.

Cold, are you just guessing that, or has it been confirmed somewhere?

Because on two floors that would be like 10000~15000sqft of space, which is a ton of common space.

[Coldrsx]

^not really...

-lobby
-garbage/recycling
-parking entrance/exit + potential main floor parking
-utility room


there WONT be retail...potentially some office i suppose, but nothing like a Mac's.

I cant recall zoning for this, but i think RA9 which allows but does request main floor anything like an RMU would.

[The Chemist]

Meh. Looks sort of like Oscar sans the weird ass roof element. Thumbs down from me.

[ExcaliburKid]

^Sorry guy, nothing is so bad that it can be compared to Oscar. Except Panache.

[Coldrsx]

Meh. Looks sort of like Oscar sans the weird ass roof element. Thumbs down from me.

you guys are on fucking crack

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/oscarcrap.jpg

[Coldrsx]

this is a very good project based on this rendering....material will be key as always, but people who think this is a poor development really need compare this to other projects.

articulation - check
interesting look - check
simple yet modern - check
curtain wall - check
decent street level interaction - check
decent setback -check

sometimes i wonder why i bother.

[vaportrail]

this is a very good project based on this rendering....material will be key as always, but people who think this is a poor development really need compare this to other projects.
...
sometimes i wonder why i bother.

You tell 'em, Cold! You tell the world!

;)

[murman]

this is a very good project based on this rendering....material will be key as always, but people who think this is a poor development really need compare this to other projects.

articulation - check
interesting look - check
simple yet modern - check
curtain wall - check
decent street level interaction - check
decent setback -check

sometimes i wonder why i bother.

Cold... you have to agree that the podium bears no relation to the tower, and vice versa. The Santa's Village colour motif doesn't help, either.

[Coldrsx]

Cold... you have to agree that the podium bears no relation to the tower, and vice versa. The Santa's Village colour motif doesn't help, either.

unlike ICON, ARRIVA, etc...which are doing heritage contrasting podiums, this one is doing it for aesthetic appeal. I dont see what the rhubarb is all about here.

walks to find comparables...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/rendering-large.jpg

[Kevin_foster]

^ oh dude... that tower is trimmed with red, not entirely red.

I don't see the relation, at all

The only problem I have with this tower is its podium. And possible the backside.

[Coldrsx]

this is trimmed with red and includes grey/white verticals and horizontals. It isnt ALL RED.

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/8740/540093e624159sd8.jpg

[Edmonchuck]

I gave it a 7...it has a nice beat but you can't dance to it....

The podium color is my only beef...harsh transition...

[Jasper and one o nin]

If the beige portions matched, or better complimented the podium - or vice versa, I think that would do it.

[Hardhatdan]

Use beige brick, problem solved.

[EdmTrekker]

If the beige portions matched, or better complimented the podium - or vice versa, I think that would do it.

I agree with Jasper and one o nine - but think the podium colour and materials need to complement the tower and not vice versa. If that happened - I would give it 8.5 assuming good materials. The overall look - I quite like.

[m0nkyman]

Is it a podium if it's basically the same width as the rest of the building? The massing is off for me. I'd be ok with the transition between podium and tower if it was a strong break in scale, but this just looks 'off'.

[CMD UW]

walks to find comparables...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/rendering-large.jpg
This is the tower I was referring to. Thanks cold.

[The Chemist]

unlike ICON, ARRIVA, etc...which are doing heritage contrasting podiums, this one is doing it for aesthetic appeal. I dont see what the rhubarb is all about here.

walks to find comparables...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/rendering-large.jpg

Now THAT is awesome - what is it, and where's it being built?

[CMD UW]

/\ Vancouver

[The Chemist]

/\ Vancouver

That's what I thought. It looks very Vancouver-ish.

[Xelebes]

They can always choose to paint the red brick after. The wonders of a little paint.

I like it, given it gets a paintjob.

[basilbrush]

I like the tower and the podium, but they do clash. Once its up I don't think anyone will pay too much attention to the podium. The tower is what will stand out.

[Kevin_foster]

Argh, the more I look at that podium, the more it spoils it for me.

I want to like this building. I take off points for the podium and the fact it would look better with 4 - 5 more stories :)

[WhipperSnapper]

im not saying im the architectural demi-god, but anyone who did this should be ashamed of themselves with regards to being on this site:

1 2 7.14%
2 2 7.14%
3 0 0%
4 2 7.14%
5 2 7.14%


http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/mark3333/650.jpg

I'm sorry but this or the previously posted Vancouver tower is an 8 - The Oliver is a 5 at best . A step in the right direction though

[Surrealplaces]

I gave it a 5, mainly because the podium bites. The tower portion looks decent enough. This is a niocer building than Oscar (the worst I've ever seen), but the mismatch of the podium and the tower does give it an 'oscar' look.

[Habanero]

im not saying im the architectural demi-god, but anyone who did this should be ashamed of themselves with regards to being on this site:

1 2 7.14%
2 2 7.14%
3 0 0%
4 2 7.14%
5 2 7.14%

Same goes for the people who gave it a 9. I mean come on.. I gave it a 6. The podium spoils what would other wise be an 7 or 8.

[Wooster]

I suppose it is a step forward. I echo the sentiments that the ground level treatment could be improved quite a bit. The project reminds me a bit of Grand Haras in Calgary.

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/1582/grandharas3jpgeo5.jpg

It seems like Edmonton is taking small steps forward with each proposal. I hope something spectacular comes out to move the industry a much bigger step forward. My hope is with Procura. I am meeting with the architect of the Calgary project on Wednesday. I am not sure if he is working on both projects. I'll see if I can find out. So far he says it is along the lines of Shaw tower in Vancouver. It is still pretty early.

[Habanero]

I suppose it is a step forward. I echo the sentiments that the ground level treatment could be improved quite a bit. The project reminds me a bit of Grand Haras in Calgary.

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/1582/grandharas3jpgeo5.jpg

It seems like Edmonton is taking small steps forward with each proposal. I hope something spectacular comes out to move the industry a much bigger step forward. My hope is with Procura. I am meeting with the architect of the Calgary project on Wednesday. I am not sure if he is working on both projects. I'll see if I can find out. So far he says it is along the lines of Shaw tower in Vancouver. It is still pretty early.

Slap a brick podium on the Grand Haras, and you've got the Oliver. The tower portion of the Oliver looks good, maybe the podium will be changed before it gets built.

[mick]

Don't forget this proposal has already failed at the EDC hurdle once before.

[Coldrsx]

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/mark3333/650.jpg

I'm sorry but this or the previously posted Vancouver tower is an 8 - The Oliver is a 5 at best . A step in the right direction though

i have seen the "oliver" around UBC, 12th, south granville, downtown, north van, ambleside...

it would fit in fine there and would be more like a 7 in van.

Give me a break.

[240glt]

I'm sorry but this or the previously posted Vancouver tower is an 8

THAT is an "8" in Vancouver ? Yikes.

Like most renderings, though, I'd suspect the finished product probably looks much better. Like the Oliver will.

[Deepstar]

im not saying im the architectural demi-god, but anyone who did this should be ashamed of themselves with regards to being on this site:

1 2 7.14%
2 2 7.14%
3 0 0%
4 2 7.14%
5 2 7.14%

I agree. Those numbers are obviously low, although you yourself, gave it an 8...... There's no way that's an 8 especially with that podium attached to it. These polls work both ways.

[Coldrsx]

^absolutely...this is an 8 for Edmonton. Personally i think overall it is better than Illuminada 2, alta vista, icon, parliament etc.

[Me&You]

Slap a brick podium on the Grand Haras, and you've got the Oliver. The tower portion of the Oliver looks good, maybe the podium will be changed before it gets built.

But that's the point; the Grand Haras doesn't have a brick podium and has townhomes at grade. For that, it should get an ~8... two HUGE differences that push the Oliver down the scale.

[240glt]

^ I disagree. If the site extended all the way down to 100 ave, then yeah I could see a strip of townhouses with the tower inset, but the way it is right now, the site is too small IMO... you're going to have, what 3-4 ground level townhouses in front of a 14 story building ? I think that's just not practical.

[Coldrsx]

^actually it is very much so...and SHOULD have been there.

[240glt]

^I look at Stella, which is just around the corner from my Calgary place and is an incredible development complete with townhouse podium, then I see this site, and I just can't see it working here. Is the site bigger than what is shown on the original post ?

[Coldrsx]

^the main entrance should have been off to one side with 2-3 main floor "work/live" or townhomes. I have done proformas and this is very very beneficial to the developer and overall viability of the project.

Not to mention it looks awesome, no rhubarb here.

[Coldrsx]

very quick, but this is how it should have been done more or less IMO:

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/oliverwithtownhomes.jpg

[CMD UW]

/\ The entrance doesn't even need to be on the corner, it could still work if it were placed in the middle of the podium.

[Coldrsx]

^that works as well, but i like to keep them apart so to speak.

[Just Build It]

Use beige brick, problem solved.

I tend to agree. Change the podium to a different color, and maybe different material and it's a very nice little project.

[m0nkyman]

Lose the useless green space between the building and the sidewalk and make the podium more useful, with townhouses like Coldrsx suggests.

[Coldrsx]

^wrong...setbacks are vitally important. But yes, townhouses.

[m0nkyman]

^wrong...setbacks are vitally important. But yes, townhouses.

Important to what? Dogs going poo? They aren't used. Anywhere.

[Coldrsx]

^they are used, everywhere. If this was fronting jasper on a 6m sidewalk, ok on setback.

But that lawn makes things better for many reasons.

[Coldrsx]

very quick, but this is how it should have been done more or less IMO:

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/oliverwithtownhomes.jpg



wow thats hot...i wish i thought of that:cheers:

[SHOFEAR]

wow thats hot...i wish i thought of that:cheers:


Your MS paint, town home skillz are fantastic.

[m0nkyman]

^they are used, everywhere. If this was fronting jasper on a 6m sidewalk, ok on setback.

But that lawn makes things better for many reasons.

Name one.

[Xelebes]

1) Space overhead

2) mmm... green. We could put trees there too, if the developer was so inclined. There's a few fun things that can be done in that space. IT could also provide family space if it became vogue to raise families in high rises. It keeps options open.

3) It's no main street, what's going to happen? The dog is going to poop on the sidewalk, anyways.

[SunCoaster]

With the red brick ... 5 ... with sandstone instead ... 7 ... and if the Oliver were 2x as tall I'd amend my ratings to 7 and 9 respectively ... the tower looks too 'squat' for the 'heavy' brick podium ...

As a former Edmontonian I should know these things ... but, to you Edmonton forumers is the use of red or brown brick and/or rough concrete elements in the facade of Edmonton residential towers a requirement for the downtown, east Jasper and Oliver areas? The reason I ask is the vast majority of existing and many of the planned towers for the noted areas seem to have at least some red or brown brick and/or rough concrete elements ...

[Xelebes]

With the red brick ... 5 ... with sandstone instead ... 7
As a former Edmontonian I should know these things ... but, to you Edmonton forumers is the use of red brick and/or rough concrete in Edmonton residential towers a requirement per the planning and development department for the downtown and Oliver areas? The reason I ask is the vast majority of existing and many of the planned towers for the noted areas seem to have at least some red or brown brick and/or rough concrete elements ...

Somehow I am thinking the developers are making up for the lack of brick development that took place during the turn of the century and are happy to oblige.

Rough concrete is used if only to make things non-slippery. That's the only excuse I can come up with for that.

[Coldrsx]

Name one.

most buildings have 3-7 m setbacks kids.

[m0nkyman]

I am perfectly aware that for the last fifty years buildings have been built with these inane setbacks. That does not mean that they are of any civic benefit.

[SHOFEAR]

Not a fan of the setback at all. Pave it with bricks and turn it into a patio for a restaurant and it's a different story.

[Boris2k7]

I gave it a 7. It was actually a 6.5 but you are getting the benefit of rounding upwards.

The Good:
- fair amount of glass, for Edmonton at least
- decent colours
- okay massing. Seems to me they should have continued floors 3-6 up most of the rest of the tower though. And it seems stubby too, give that building another 5 floors and it might seem more slender

The Bad:
- podium is teh suck. Do away with the brick and replace it with whatever is on the rest of the tower, plz
- lack of townhouses and unecessarily large front yard with stupid, unecessary lawn. boo
- randomly placed tacked-on element? That thing looks like it came right out of the Abugov Kaspar "how to design a condo building" manual.
- balconies also seem tacked-on