Aurora - Edmonton

[chuber]

Originally Posted by m0nkyman

Aurora, like Century Park and yes, like Arbutus Walk, is not part of any urban context. They are inward looking, and as such are much more suburban in philosophy no matter how urban their physical placement.

True, but projects like these are more likely to attract people from the suburbs closer to the core. For many people it is too big of a step to go from a detached home into a single highrise in the middle of downtown.

Myself with a young family would consider a project like this long before something like the Icon. Even though 10 years ago I would have killed to live in a tower like the Icon.

I think it will be a great project and really help north downtown.

[mick]

Kev - The McDonald's consolidate is desingated as a municipal historical resource and it provides low income housing. All seems to indicate it's going no where.

[m0nkyman]

Looking at CanadianCentaur's placement of Aurora, it looks like they're not building anything in the spot where the McDonald Consolidated building stands. That would indicate they aren't tearing it down...

[CMD UW]

Originally Posted by Kevin_foster

hmm.. the consolidated building looks screwed...

The Mac C building is not part of the Aurora proposal.

[on the grid]

Those 3 lots owned by Vuong in the middle sure (shown as green) must be annoying for Carma. I heard the price they offered for those lots - holy crap - and he still refused. Carma does all the landscaping, and leaves a nice insulated site in the middle for a tower. If they can get the density they're after, insuring views in that tight lot will be a fun challenge.

[CMD UW]

/\ Yes, I was shocked that they didn't sell their land.

[RicoLance21]

Originally Posted by on the grid

Those 3 lots owned by Vuong in the middle sure (shown as green) must be annoying for Carma. I heard the price they offered for those lots - holy crap - and he still refused. Carma does all the landscaping, and leaves a nice insulated site in the middle for a tower. If they can get the density they're after, insuring views in that tight lot will be a fun challenge.

You mean the lots just south of the pond and surrounded by 3 towers?

[CMD UW]

/\ Yep...

[CanadianCentaur]

Does that mean a delay for Aurora, or could Carma get more aggressive in (if it got the $$) trying to buy that piece of land from Vuong?

[Coldrsx]

^no delay....and i believe Vuong is pursuing his own development plans or something like that.

[e909]

This looks better than the utter crap that exists right now. It seems like most of you are willing to stick with the gravel parking lots and abandoned or decaying buildings that exist in that area now.

It's definitely a good start.

[mick]

I didn't hear any of that. Most seemed to think it decent to very good.

[CMD UW]

Originally Posted by elmo909

This looks better than the utter crap that exists right now. It seems like most of you are willing to stick with the gravel parking lots and abandoned or decaying buildings that exist in that area now.

It's definitely a good start.

Where the f*ck did you conjure up that notion?

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by elmo909

This looks better than the utter crap that exists right now. It seems like most of you are willing to stick with the gravel parking lots and abandoned or decaying buildings that exist in that area now.

It's definitely a good start.

huh?

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by elmo909

This looks better than the utter crap that exists right now. It seems like most of you are willing to stick with the gravel parking lots and abandoned or decaying buildings that exist in that area now.

It's definitely a good start.

wat the? huh? various confused thoughts?

[m0nkyman]

I think he thinks a "meh" is more then it actually is....

[e909]

Originally Posted by m0nkyman

I think he thinks a "meh" is more then it actually is....

I guess so. I just can't see how people here are calling 1500 units in 3ha "suburban".

It looks pretty exciting on my side, in terms of what has been happening in that area of the city. Definitely beyond a "meh" in my book.

[m0nkyman]

Originally Posted by elmo909

I guess so. I just can't see how people here are calling 1500 units in 3ha "suburban".

see "Century Park".

Density ain't everything. A quote I use as my sig on another site may explain better:
"The urban is the space that allows for collective expression, for places where gatherings can happen that wouldn’t otherwise happen, that don’t cater only to the individual.~Farshid Moussavi, GSD Professor in Practice of Architecture; Principal, Foreign Office Architects, London"

[ssiguy]

Originally Posted by m0nkyman

I voted Meh, mostly because I have yet to see a multi building project anywhere that became a cool community. I like single buildings that add something to a community. These mega projects may bring people downtown, but they tend to be the urban equivalent of gated communities.

I strongly agree.
I prefer different styled buildings a bit more spread out than these huge block developments. Individulal buildings with different styles seem to have a more urbanity feel. I guesss that why I hate Toronto's CityPlace. They almost look and feel like suburban highrises built downtown.

[Shodan]

Century Park - Downtown! Looks very interesting, and it's about time something's done about that no-man's land.... - Let's see what happens....