Winnipeg |390 on the river (d Condo) | ~81M | 24F | U/C

[Jasonhouse]

Originally Posted by Simplicity

Specifically, why on earth would you have a different architect of record from the designer if you're working with their design? I mean, outside of cost, this is a strange step to take. And why would an architect assume the liability for somebody else's design when the other somebody doesn't really have an high-rise experience either? It's definitely unconventional.

Maybe this is being done like how larger master planned projects are often done... You pay one guy for his concept, and you pay another guy to actually engineer and spec it out, and produce actual construction docs. Maybe they butted heads personally and just moved on. There are myriad reasons, but without any verifiable information about the situation, it's all just irresponsible speculation.

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by Jasonhouse

This thread is almost fun.

Almost, there is some entertainment value, I'm sure many would agree.

[Simplicity]

Originally Posted by Jasonhouse

Maybe this is being done like how larger master planned projects are often done... You pay one guy for his concept, and you pay another guy to actually engineer and spec it out, and produce actual construction docs. Maybe they butted heads personally and just moved on. There are myriad reasons, but without any verifiable information about the situation, it's all just irresponsible speculation.

A master plan is easier to take over than actual building construction. In a master plan you just have to stick within the guidelines - any architect can do that. What you try and avoid as a professional is assuming somebody else's liability. Hijab Mitra is still an architect with very little experience whose value is in charging half of the industry norm by sourcing drawings from China. This isn't a secret. Your scenario would be a good idea across different consultants if they were all on equal footing, but Verne Reimer isn't giving way to Hijab Mitra on anything but cost. She doesn't have a quarter of the experience of either him or his firm and she's definitely no construction admin specialist of high-rise architecture. That's how we know something is strange. And if this were a personality conflcit, presumably you'd go to another firm that has the capacity to carry out high-rise construction like Stantec. You don't seek out a relatively green architect who specializes in low-rise wood frame structures unless you're looking for a hell of a deal...

[Flatland Metropolis]

Originally Posted by Simplicity

I wouldn't believe everything you read. I've yet to hear anybody from Sandhu tell the truth about this project at any point and I don't doubt the line of questioning from Murray McNeill comes straight out of this forum.

Sandhu is actively seeking purchasers for their holdings at the moment in a bid to raise cash. I've had several clients approached as potential purchasers but they're asking too much from the numbers I've seen. I'll believe this project is a go when it's finally going.

Does that count for random anonymous dudes on the internet?

[pkirvan]

Originally Posted by Flatland Metropolis

Does that count for random anonymous dudes on the internet?

Of course. One should look at all the posts here critically. But you already know that. The post you're replying to was clearly directed at Cyro, a man who generally believes everything he is told by anyone claiming to be a developer and has somehow never managed to show even a glimpse of skeptical thought.

[Simplicity]

Originally Posted by Flatland Metropolis

Does that count for random anonymous dudes on the internet?

You can choose to believe whomever you'd like.

But I don't have a stake in this project. I merely convey what I hear. As I said in a post before, if you're a purchaser, you're better off checking with your lawyer to get confirmation from the developer in writing that everything is perfectly fine than listening to what I have to say.

If the developer is three years behind and the reasons keep changing, they quickly become the least credible source for obvious reasons.

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by pkirvan

Of course. One should look at all the posts here critically. But you already know that. The post you're replying to was clearly directed at Cyro, a man who generally believes everything he is told by anyone claiming to be a developer and has somehow never managed to show even a glimpse of skeptical thought.

Apparently your post was clearly directed at me Flatland?

[pkirvan]

Originally Posted by Cyro

Apparently your post was clearly directed at me Flatland?

Comprehension issue on your part. Flat was responding to a post from Simplicity discussing your overall attitude (everything claim Sandhu makes is either true or not worth discussing), though not you by name. Note that I said to Flat "The post you're replying to was clearly directed at Cyro", not "your post was directed to Cyro." Confusing, I know, but that subtlety is how you tell the difference.

My earlier post above contains 4 other Sandhu claims which you are welcome to form an opinion on as a critical thinking exercise.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by Simplicity

charging half of the industry norm by sourcing drawings from China. ...

I believe its India...

[Simplicity]

Originally Posted by trueviking

I believe its India...

That seems more likely than China. It was a client of hers who told me she was sourcing her drawings, but I doubt she was upfront about where from.

[Jasonhouse]

Originally Posted by Simplicity

A master plan is easier to take over than actual building construction. In a master plan you just have to stick within the guidelines - any architect can do that. What you try and avoid as a professional is assuming somebody else's liability. Hijab Mitra is still an architect with very little experience whose value is in charging half of the industry norm by sourcing drawings from China. This isn't a secret. Your scenario would be a good idea across different consultants if they were all on equal footing, but Verne Reimer isn't giving way to Hijab Mitra on anything but cost. She doesn't have a quarter of the experience of either him or his firm and she's definitely no construction admin specialist of high-rise architecture. That's how we know something is strange. And if this were a personality conflcit, presumably you'd go to another firm that has the capacity to carry out high-rise construction like Stantec. You don't seek out a relatively green architect who specializes in low-rise wood frame structures unless you're looking for a hell of a deal...

You keep acting like cost isn't far and away the #1 determinant for just about everything goes on with a project...

[NK59]

Originally Posted by Simplicity

Inside the business Sandhu's reputation is mostly of ineptitude and largely that Karampaul is lucky his father came first. A lot of money goes a long way towards glossing over critical mistakes. At one point on D Condo a lawyer I work with told me Sandhu was actively trying to buy presale units back from his clients because they sold them at a loss.

Ineptitude is a perfect word for Sandhu Developments. Throw in some arrogance, dishonesty, and few other negative traits and you've got them summed up.

[Simplicity]

Originally Posted by NK59

Ineptitude is a perfect word for Sandhu Developments. Throw in some arrogance, dishonesty, and few other negative traits and you've got them summed up.

Unfortunately. You have any particular experience?

[NK59]

Originally Posted by Simplicity

Unfortunately. You have any particular experience?

Yes, I do unfortunately. I've dealt with both Preet and Karampaul on many occasions throughout one of their projects. You'd hope they would have learned some lessons and improved along the way, but it appears as that's not the case.

It's a shame, because the D-Condo's is an amazing Winnipeg location. So much potential, and I wouldn't even consider purchasing one because of who the developer is.

[bomberjet]

dCondo is U/C? They haven't made it out of the ground yet have they?

[Cyro]

Thanks for the update to the thread title and OP.

[Cyro]

Image Add: March.30.2015

D-Condos Constuction Site:

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/bus...297874881.html

[pkirvan]

Originally Posted by NK59

Yes, I do unfortunately. I've dealt with both Preet and Karampaul on many occasions throughout one of their projects. You'd hope they would have learned some lessons and improved along the way, but it appears as that's not the case.

It's a shame, because the D-Condo's is an amazing Winnipeg location. So much potential, and I wouldn't even consider purchasing one because of who the developer is.

Thanks for posting. That's what I love about these forums- people sharing their actual experience with these developers and their projects.

[NK59]

Originally Posted by pkirvan

Thanks for posting. That's what I love about these forums- people sharing their actual experience with these developers and their projects.

In their short time building condos in Winnipeg, I can assure you there are a good handful of contractors who would never work with these guys again. They really have nobody to blame but themselves on this. Preet is somewhat of a nice guy (although fairly clueless), but Nishan is ignorant and completely irrational.

[pkirvan]

Originally Posted by NK59

In their short time building condos in Winnipeg, I can assure you there are a good handful of contractors who would never work with these guys again. They really have nobody to blame but themselves on this. Preet is somewhat of a nice guy (although fairly clueless), but Nishan is ignorant and completely irrational.

That's a shame. You know in the past developers could just run each project as a numbered company, lie to their customers, cut every possible corner during construction, shortchange their contractors, pay themselves, and then fold the company +/- moving to a new town. I'd like to think that with the internet and it being easier to talk to previous people who've done business with them a developer's reputation should start to matter and more and more developers will stop being like that. I'd love to see more developers who have their own money on the line, who give honest and complete information, who buy materials with the best value not lowest price, who care about long term costs and the environment, etc. Of course maybe this is naive and developers will just stick with their old way of doing things while finding more gullible people to deal with (people who want to get rich quick, foreign investors, etc.). One can hope.