[someone123]

Condominium development on Russell Street near the Hydrostone.

Rendering from HydrostonePlace.com:

http://www.hydrostoneplace.com/site/images/Logo.jpg

This is a different development from Hydrostone Suites, which was completed recently a block or so away.

[Haliguy]

Here's a pic I got of this project the other day.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j260/a_gallant/IMG_1209_1.jpghttp://

[someone123]

The scale I guess is fine, although it's really the cladding that is important. Based on the rendering it looks like they'll use the same roof material that was used on the Garden Crest condos, which is unfortunate.

By the way, I was in the area the other day and I noticed that the auto repair place across from the Hydrostone market is now fenced off. There's a "for lease" sign up. I wonder if this other site would be a candidate for development as well?

[Haliguy]

The scale I guess is fine, although it's really the cladding that is important. Based on the rendering it looks like they'll use the same roof material that was used on the Garden Crest condos, which is unfortunate.

By the way, I was in the area the other day and I noticed that the auto repair place across from the Hydrostone market is now fenced off. There's a "for lease" sign up. I wonder if this other site would be a candidate for development as well?

Yes, the scale seems very appropriate for the area. That vacant lot I would think would be very ripe for a nice development.

[worldlyhaligonian]

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j260/a_gallant/IMG_1209_1.jpg

[Keith P.]

A couple of new pics taken today.

Looking south:

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll229/keith_p/DSCF0418.jpg

And, looking north:

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll229/keith_p/DSCF0419.jpg

They are using the concrete block faux-stone as cladding and while it won't fool anyone, it doesn't look as bad as the stuff used on Armoury Square or St. James Place. It's sort of a neat-looking building, especially the corner units. If only they would encase the concrete sonotube columns with something to make them look less cheap...

The top floor appears to have a terrace all the way around.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Keith, firstly, thank-you for posting these pics, I've been wondering about this development for some time.

I agree, it looks better than I thought it would, but still tres faux.

[Keith P.]

Thanks, worldly. I went to the website www.hydrostoneplace.com and the floorplans look pretty generous. The penthouse is fabulous (and at nearly $500K, it ought to be) but even the 1 bedroom units are a good size. The pricing is stiffer than I thought it would be though -- the cheapest 1 br plus small den is at about $300K.

[someone123]

My main issue with the design is that it doesn't fill out the lot very well. It feels more suburban than the surrounding area, though it's better than the strip mall that was there previously.

[Takeo]

My main issue with the design is that it doesn't fill out the lot very well. It feels more suburban than the surrounding area, though it's better than the strip mall that was there previously.

Yes... the medical place and that weird "thinker" statue on the podium... that was hilarious.

[Keith P.]

I drove by there today and while it still appears to be some time away from completion, one addition has been made that is not for the better. The recessed areas on each balcony surrounding the patio doors and windows have been clad in siding, either vinyl or concrete clapboard. It is only a small surface area but it looks jarring and cheap.

[spaustin]

It was just on the news that some of the exterior of this one got a little singed today. Some jerk lit the porto potties on fire and the result was some minor damage to the side of the building. Didn't look too serious. Fire on construction sites seems to be right of passage up that way (Glatstone had a minor fire too).

[Dmajackson]

Does anyone know if this is near complete yet?

[Keith P.]

I drove by a week or so ago and they had a model suite open. Looked like they were still doing interior finishing elsewhere, landscaping, etc. Not quite finished, but close.

I was moderately interested in this for myself but the brewery smell would be very bad at times. Not that I don't like beer, but I don't want to smell it all the time.

[Dmajackson]

Thanks "Keith P". Its unfortunate there's no new pictures of this place but does anyone know how this turned out in terms of niceness?

I've only been in that area a handful of times so I don't even know what is really near it. All I know is that the Hydrostone is nearby.

[Takeo]

I live in the Hydrostone area... and believe me... that building is SOOOOO ugly. Looks like the a rejected Quality Inn or Comfort Suites design.

Oh... and the smell from Olands doesn't smell anything like beer unfortunately. That would be a huge improvement. It smells like rotting yeast... which is what it is :-) Luckily, I don't smell it at all where I live. I can't imagine being next door to that smell.

[Dmajackson]

Well heres the completed building everyone;

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/3222364227_0340474a21_b.jpg
Source: Pivture taken by me (http://www.flickr.com/photos/24579848@N06/3222364227/)

[spaustin]

Yuck. The top is completely at odds with the rest of the building and the concrete blocks on the corner balconies... Yuck again. They really threw the kitchen sink of styles at this thing.

[Phalanx]

Yuck. The top is completely at odds with the rest of the building and the concrete blocks on the corner balconies... Yuck again. They really threw the kitchen sink of styles at this thing.

I agree. The near-vertical metal roofing just looks silly when used like that. Still... could have been worse?

[dartmouthian]

looks AWFUL. what a total shitfest of styles randomly stuck together.

[Dmajackson]

^^LMAO to the last three posts.

When I took the picture earlier I almost took a picture of the Brewery to show you that even it looks better than this. :jester:

I just really hope 5552 turns out nicely so this neighbourhood can have some of its architectural reputation back.

One thing I noticed was a new building being put up on the same block as this but down on Gottigen/Novelea. Is it safe to assume it is a typical three storey apartment building?

[Keith P.]

looks AWFUL. what a total shitfest of styles randomly stuck together.

Agreed, sadly.The end product looks a lot worse than what I expected during construction. What you described seems to be the trend these days though. This reminds me of the Best Western in Burnside; in fact, they could have been designed by the same person:

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll229/keith_p/bwdart.jpg


I don't know what these designers are thinking. Those particular materials never look good. We are afflicted with ugly building syndrome again.

[pnightingale]

This would not be so bad if not for the top 2 floors and the covered driveway, or whatever you want to call that.

I feel like they were really close to having an attractive building, and they screwed it up.....

[reddog794]

What the crap is that? I know it's a building, but built for what, storing grain? It looks like a grain Silo, with delusions of grandeur.

[hfx_chris]

I'm all for colour in buildings, but.. seriously. That does not work. At all.

[Takeo]

I'm all for colour in buildings, but.. seriously. That does not work. At all.

Yes... green metal roofing needs to be banned. And a brand new building with painted concrete?! That's just criminal.

[Empire]

HRM will not put guidelines on design so this is what we end up with. It is unfortunate because a lot of these cheap buildings are in prime locations. To use quality materials it would likely cost ~20% more. Perhaps a developer will come along someday and realize that if you add 20% to the cost of materials it shows and you will add ~20% to the value of your building.

Maybe finishing materials can be regulated. No concrete block exterior cladding or fake stone panels that will blow off in the wind.

[Jonovision]

This thing is nasty! And should get an award for being so horrible. I can't recall anything else in the city built in my lifetime that looks worse then this.

[Dmajackson]

Like everyone else I also say this building should not of been built especially with the green stuff on top.

I'm just glad its short enough that I can't be seen for more than a block from the site.

[someone123]

It could look worse I guess but I think that would take some real skill and effort on the part of the architect. This is an ugly building. :yuck:

The balconies are actually kind of interesting but most of the rest is hideous. Nothing matches anything else, the roof is just ugly and cheap, and the ground floor is really awkward.

At least it's on a side street...

[Keith P.]

I drove past the place earlier today and the color of the vertical siding is worse than the photos make it appear; I would describe it as either a mint or pea-soup green. Bilious.

It certainly didn't appear that anyone was living there. I didn't see any window coverings or other evidence of occupancy in any unit except the model suite.

[Dmajackson]

^Yah my picture made the picture look darker than it really was.

Now that I think of it I didn't see anybody come in or out of the building either and well I was there for a little while because I parked and walked down to 5552 Kaye and I was on the phone for awhile.

[Empire]

^Yah my picture made the picture look darker than it really was.

Now that I think of it I didn't see anybody come in or out of the building either and well I was there for a little while because I parked and walked down to 5552 Kaye and I was on the phone for awhile.

The ugly green roof is fake copper patina. 99% of new Halifax buildings have some sort of ugly fake material. That is why it is so important to retain what we have left of real buildings....... "Heritage Buildings"

[sdm]

The ugly green roof is fake copper patina. 99% of new Halifax buildings have some sort of ugly fake material. That is why it is so important to retain what we have left of real buildings....... "Heritage Buildings"

EMPIRE do you hate new buildings, developers, and the world you live in?

This world is not perfect, and not everyone is going to like each building the same as the other person.

Its architecture, and subjective. Some like it, some don't.

I am sorry you don't like "progress"

[hfx_chris]

Um, other people have complained about the choice of colours and materials in this project other than Empire. In fact I would say the majority here are reacting negatively towards this building, so why call Empire out on it?

[sdm]

Um, other people have complained about the choice of colours and materials in this project other than Empire. In fact I would say the majority here are reacting negatively towards this building, so why call Empire out on it?

Chris

Agreed, others have commented that the choice of materials are less then attractive, but Empires remarks are not totally consistent with everyone else.

Just review some of Empires post in a number of topics tonight.

Myself included feel the choice of materials are less then attractive, but at least we have/had a new development. And for that i am glad to see, regardless of it looks.

[Dmajackson]

Chris

Agreed, others have commented that the choice of materials are less then attractive, but Empires remarks are not totally consistent with everyone else.

Just review some of Empires post in a number of topics tonight.

Myself included feel the choice of materials are less then attractive, but at least we have/had a new development. And for that i am glad to see, regardless of it looks.

Well "Sdm" maybe Empire actually wants to see the city turn into a nice looking area not just green-clad roofing all over the place.

I have to agree with Empire. IMO this building should not of been built. It should of been redesigned and built once the city agreed with the looks. Man does HRM need a design commitee for the peninsula.

[Keith P.]

Man does HRM need a design commitee for the peninsula.

Knowing Halifax and the people who are likely to want to be on such a committee, in all likelihood this sort of faux-classical crap is probably what the design committee would want.

[Barrington south]

I agree with SDM....man, Empire is starting to sound like a broken record! he needs a serious whipping :whip:

[hfx_chris]

IMO this building should not of been built.
The building doesn't look bad. In my opinion the only thing that needs to change is the green, the rest I could live with. Not ideal, but definitely not something that should hold the project back.

[Empire]

EMPIRE do you hate new buildings, developers, and the world you live in?

This world is not perfect, and not everyone is going to like each building the same as the other person.

Its architecture, and subjective. Some like it, some don't.

I am sorry you don't like "progress"

I would like to see International place start immediately at 24 storeys, I supported the twisted sisters because it didn't involve demolishing built heritage and the design is top notch. I think the height in the cogswell st. interchange area should be increased. I want to see more of a Montreal approach where heritage buildings are perserved but dense towers are built in close proximity. A lot of buildings in Montreal incorporate heritage buildings but they are large enough that they don't have to be torn down and a replica facade rebuilt.

[Takeo]

Knowing Halifax and the people who are likely to want to be on such a committee, in all likelihood this sort of faux-classical crap is probably what the design committee would want.

I think you'd have to be an architect or planner to be on such a committee. No architect worth their salt would want 'faux-classical crap'. And in any case, it's better than what we have now... which is zip... nada... anything goes.

[sdm]

I would like to see International place start immediately at 24 storeys, I supported the twisted sisters because it didn't involve demolishing built heritage and the design is top notch. I think the height in the cogswell st. interchange area should be increased. I want to see more of a Montreal approach where heritage buildings are perserved but dense towers are built in close proximity. A lot of buildings in Montreal incorporate heritage buildings but they are large enough that they don't have to be torn down and a replica facade rebuilt.

We will never be like Montreal empire, we don't have the quality heritage buildings like they do.

But many of those large projects in montreal actually have facades approach.

[Keith P.]

I think you'd have to be an architect or planner to be on such a committee. No architect worth their salt would want 'faux-classical crap'. And in any case, it's better than what we have now... which is zip... nada... anything goes.

Yeah, maybe, but keep in mind that it was an architect who gave us this. Actually it seems to be standard practice. I was driving downtown today and saw similar stuff on Waterfront Place and also on Renaissance Place, both of which date from about 20 years ago.

But my original thought was that the do-gooders like Bev Miller or Betty Pacey would be typical of those who would want to be on such a committee.

[Empire]

Yeah, maybe, but keep in mind that it was an architect who gave us this. Actually it seems to be standard practice. I was driving downtown today and saw similar stuff on Waterfront Place and also on Renaissance Place, both of which date from about 20 years ago.

But my original thought was that the do-gooders like Bev Miller or Betty Pacey would be typical of those who would want to be on such a committee.

Good point Keith P. I don't know how you would pick the committee but there should be a mix of heritage minded plus ultramodern proponents. I think some of the poor designs are not so much the choice of the architect but stem from budget concerns from the developer.

[someone123]

Yes, the reality is that architects produce this stuff, although many of them seem to have a wide range of quality in their portfolios. Something else to note is that people specifically tend to ask for tacky faux-heritage features in the public meetings, or they want to scale down features until they look fake.

I would imagine that many buildings in the city have actually come out looking worse as a result of public consultation. Most of the striking buildings constructed in other cities have some kind of strong leadership and vision behind them. As we all know, that's seriously lacking in Halifax, and what we get is lowest common denominator "design by committee".

[sdm]

Good point Keith P. I don't know how you would pick the committee but there should be a mix of heritage minded plus ultramodern proponents. I think some of the poor designs are not so much the choice of the architect but stem from budget concerns from the developer.

We live in Halifax, not Montreal, not Toronto etc. The market economics’ here don't allow fancy designs and or expensive materials. Hopefully this will change over the next few decades. It is sad, but it’s the reality we face here.

Of course the designs driven by function of a budget from the developer, they are after all the investors with the money and expect a fair return.

Hopefully you know that each corner you put into a building drives the cost up. That’s why for many years you saw the square box designed apartment buildings. Now we are seeing more designs like garden crest, 5800 south, Lexington, Gladstone (of the ones built).

Further to that, the limited density/ height the city is allowing increases the costs per square foot and doesn't leave much for expensive materials and or designs.

And as for the committee i think this is a dangerous idea personally. This city needs to start acting like a publicly traded company in that they want people to invest in their city and not make it too hard to do so. Make it hard or unattractive then the investors will look else wheres.

[Takeo]

We live in Halifax, not Montreal, not Toronto etc. The market economics’ here don't allow fancy designs and or expensive materials. Hopefully this will change over the next few decades. It is sad, but it’s the reality we face here.

I disagree. Expensive materials don't make an attractive building... thoughtful design does. Good design doesn't have to be "fancy" or utilize expensive materials. Some of Frank Gehry's early work used simple materials like chain link and corrugated metal. His famous 'wiggle chair' is made from cardboard. In the case of Hyrdostone Place, it would have actually cost LESS to delete the faux metal roof. And filling out the lot may have cost less since they would have had more condos to sell or maybe retail space to rent. Yes, copper, limestone, redwood, stainless steel, glass, etc, are nice... but you can still do good design without those expensive materials. The problem is bad design. Sadly, most Architects in Halifax produce pretty average work.

p.s. As long as I'm talking about Frank Gehry, here is an interesting link about how Gehry has managed to produce some of his later and amazing complex works on time and on budget:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organization_of_the_artist

[Dartman]

There's a newly renovated building on the corner of Yonge and Agricola where that Super Natural Health Products building was. The outside looks nice, and I walked in the other day and the interior is absolutely beautiful. They've added a really nice high end classy cafe serving specialty drinks and panini's that have won awards in 'The Coast'.

Anyways, I was talking to the owner and there is still alot more to come. He said that they will be added to the Hydrostone community, and they're opening upstairs for music events and spoken word stuff; there's also going to be fireplaces and fountains added in. Overall, I would say it's a nice addition to the North End and I would encourage you guys to check it out.:tup:

The Cafe is going to be named 'Humani-T'. They're having a grand-opening after Christmas but they're already started to serve customers.

[Keith P.]

The Cafe is going to be named 'Humani-T'. They're having a grand-opening after Christmas but they're already started to serve customers.

They need to think of another name.