The Great Canadian "If you were a developer (Just for fun)" Thread
 

Inspired by the "If you were a developer (Just for Fun)" thread on the SSP: Local Hamilton page, this thread will be all about what you would do to develop your city if you could. Be realistic though. Sketches done in Paint, Google SketchUp, drawn by hand then scanned and uploaded, or anything else are encouraged.



Example: I made Hamilton's Commerce Place double the height to have a bigger impact on the skyline, add more office space, and also add more people to the downtown core.



For more examples, go to the original "If you were a developer (Just for Fun)" thread on the SSP: Local Hamilton page

...I'd hire this architect to build:

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/7...il2013king.png

At 305 King Street West Toronto.

Oh. Imagine that, but instead of red paneling, they use polished corten. With blue glass for contrast. That'd look really nice.

I'd read "The Death and Life of Great American Cities".

I had considered corten...but the local context is Victorian red brick warehouses and lowrise commercial districts:

http://imageshack.us/a/img21/7201/ni...il2013king.png

In that context, I get and approve of your choice :tup:

Question:

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/4307/...il2013arey.png

I would buy an older subdivision and find creative ways to turn single family homes into side-by-sides / condos/ duplexes without demolishing the original home.

I like that idea! I've had similar thoughts--keep the curving crescents and cul de sacs but join them via woonerfs instead of those useless narrow greenways, keep the majority of the tree canopy but where the large front driveway/garage is and the space between each home add a 4s walkup apartment/condo addition with perhaps retail or biz use in some of the garages.

When I find the time I plan on doing up a SketchUp to illustrate the concept.

Problem with that is the road capacity / utility infrastructure wouldn't be able to serve the extra homes and people. Would likely result in enough extra costs to justify knocking down and starting over.

Cool idea though.

I wouldnt write the idea off just yet. Efficient utilities (Solar and LED, effiecient furnaces) have come a long way and some utilities would have to dug up anyway. Besides, complete knockdowns of old neighborhoods will become a thing of the past as oil becomes scarce.

As well, I am proposing that 2 different living arrangements would live well within the shell of the existing home with some minor modifications. Homes these days are simply too large and unaffordable for many. We are being pushed into oversized homes, cars, mortgages and credit lines. Toss in a couple brick cards and visas and our country could liquidate in the next recession.

Aura to get a hideous new neighbour at Yonge and Gerrard?

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/8...ril2013yon.png

It's got a name: beastlyBRUT.

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/878...ril2013yon.png

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/878...ril2013yon.png

Am I the only person in Canada that thinks Brutalism ought to make a comeback? I'm calling it the Retro Brut movement.

I think the older neighbourhoods that were built during the late 60's to 80's are prime for redevelopement. Most of those are built with some sort of strip mall at the center and these strip malls have become underused as a result of power centers. Rip those down, redevelop them as more of a mixed use with mid rises. You could probably win some community support for the increase in density by saying it is the only way to bring back quality commercial tenants.

I'd propose a 40s tower at 625 Yonge Street Toronto that might look something like
http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/5...ril2013625.png

Which I hope isn't
http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/5...ril2013625.png

Or else I'll be the next
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/5...ril2013625.png

I modified the CRU (retail level) facade a bit to unify the concept with the tower--origami inspired?

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/917...ril2013yon.png

The context: red brick Victorians across the street.

One more before I move on:

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/917...ril2013yon.png

Build it or Brick it?

New concept I'm working on: "This is not the Gardiner Plaza"

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/8...ril2013thi.png

I am trying to bring sexy curves to the Southcore area of Toronto. I am inspired by both Lake Ontario and the Gardiner Expressway.

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/8...ril2013thi.png

The idea is to raise the podium roof level with the expressway with a large expansive green roof, hedge and green wall wrapping around the edge and include a large big box format store beneath the podium. The support columns relate to both the Gardiner's pillars and neighbouring developments. A beautiful red brick-paved plaza right next to the highway!

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/8583/...ril2013thi.png

Watch for further improvements--more curves, more "sex" appeal :)

My crappy Humbertown Shopping Centre proposal--no building shall exceed 8s (7s + MechPH) I've sketched 5 phases for the project--4 are about completed the 5th to come + a public park including my outdoor public art proposals.

This is phase 3 & 4 facing Royal York Road (Etobicoke.)
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/5...y2013humbu.png

Royal York Rd facade:
http://imageshack.us/a/img62/5959/ni...y2013humbu.png


The Kingsway entrance:
http://imageshack.us/a/img547/5959/n...y2013humbu.png

Detail:
http://imageshack.us/a/img515/5959/n...y2013humbu.png

Proposed redesign for a Queen Street East Toronto new development (it's about done sadly):
http://imageshack.us/a/img191/4421/n...queenstree.png

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/4...queenstree.png

With 5th floor + terraces added:
http://imageshack.us/a/img196/4421/n...queenstree.png

vs reality http://www.buzzbuzzhome.com/leslieville-town-manors

Which do you prefer?

Here's another quick sketch I'm working on--my version of an upcoming controversial Toronto condo tower in a lowrise neighbourhood.

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/4...une2013wtf.png