Claridge Icon [505 Preston St] | 143m | 45 fl | U/C - Page 2

S-Man · #21 Posted **May 2, 2012, 3:49 AM**

Just heard the CTV spot. Yeah, Holmes comes across as a knee-jerk obstructionist who'd done this a thousand times before and no longer even thinks about the proposal or its context. She probably remembers when those 2-storey homes were structurally sound.

waterloowarrior · #22 Posted **May 2, 2012, 3:56 AM**

Citizen article
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/homes/O...111/story.html

The Claridge project puts stores on the ground floor. The 128-metre-tall building includes two or three floors of offices, and 220 to 250 residential units.

They also interviewed Foster + Partners, Gehry Partners, Perkins + Will, and Kohn Pederson Fox.

(^^^More please!)

Greater Ottawa
http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2012/...medium=twitter

bikegypsy · #23 Posted **May 2, 2012, 4:46 AM**

One word: drool

drawarc · #24 Posted **May 2, 2012, 6:43 AM**

Building looks awesome.

Admiral Nelson · #25 Posted **May 2, 2012, 7:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by theKpa

Building looks awesome.

I agree, hopefully it won't be squashed in height by council.

urbandreamer · #26 Posted **May 2, 2012, 8:33 AM**

Not bad. It's certainly a more conservative HP design. Sort of like a taller version of Plazacorp's Ivory on Adelaide (Toronto) with a hint of Context King West's chunky blocky massing.

McC · #27 Posted **May 2, 2012, 10:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

west side action
http://westsideaction.wordpress.com/...eston-carling/

Darwin said 45 storeys.

McC · #28 Posted **May 2, 2012, 11:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

Looks good so far... edit: architect is Hariri Pontarini

That's a funny way to spell Hobin.

harls · #29 Posted **May 2, 2012, 11:29 AM**

I like it, a lot!

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

Citizen article
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/homes/O...111/story.html

The Claridge project puts stores on the ground floor. The 128-metre-tall building includes two or three floors of offices, and 220 to 250 residential units.

128 m? That would be the same height as Terrasses, no?

amanfromnowhere · #30 Posted **May 2, 2012, 12:48 PM**

I like it! Inetersting how this will impact Soho Italia? Will they put on hold util this is approved (or not)...

jaz · #31 Posted **May 2, 2012, 1:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

Even if business owners/the BIA endorse the proposal. In the video it sounds like they see it as more of a Carling project than a Preston/Italy project.

They probably have to go that way because Preston is just a one lane, often jammed street while carling is three lanes each way. It does look like a building that should be downtown instead of on preston simply because its the only building of its kind anywhere in that area but I guess you gotta start somewhere.

Let be real though. Developers don't really care about it being the ideal area, its the cost of land they are more concerned about it. Much cheaper than downtown.

If it is built, it will be a bit difficult dealing with the traffic coming out of the underground parking. Lights will have to be installed somewhere otherwise people will never be able to get out or in.

grooveduster · #32 Posted **May 2, 2012, 1:50 PM**

Hey everyone! I'm brand new to this forum (but have been reading it for a few years...). I just wanted to chime in with my vote of support for this fantastic design. This location is perfect for some height.

So...a question:

I'd like to attend some city council meetings where this and other buildings are being discussed / voted on / etc. Just wondering how one determines what are the correct meetings to attend in regards to a specific application.

Great forum, learning so much...thanks to all...

amanfromnowhere · #33 Posted **May 2, 2012, 2:28 PM**

I really like this new trend: shift in quality design with most of the new projects (Cathedral Hill, SoBa, 150 Elgin, OCC, The Merit, SOHO's etc). Looks like Claridge catches it up...

Ottawan · #34 Posted **May 2, 2012, 3:03 PM**

I have to say that I'm pretty excited about this! While Claridge hasn't always built the most attractive buildings, they generally match the renders (CP looked awful in the renders, IMHO, while Tiffany did not - that is how they have turned out in reality), which gives me hope that this building could end up looking quite good.

I'm really happy that they are doing a true mixed-use, with office space as well as the retail and residential.

In terms of height - I am very glad we finally have a 40+ proposal. They should have proposed 48 stories so that the compromise would have been 42 - as is, my skeptical side tells me this will end up being mid-30s (but taller than the new norm of 28!).

I have felt (and vocalized this opinion) for a long time that this location (Preston/Carling), along with Tunney's Pasture and near Hurdman, are the best areas for 40+ storey buildings - even more ideal for them than downtown itself (although that sort of height might be nice along Catherine as well).

Now the neighbourhood just needs a "Morguard Icon", "Oxford Icon", "Minto Icon" or "Metcalfe Icon" to go with the Claridge Icon and have the area really take off. What I'm getting at is that a 40+ storey office tower near Preston would be great.

Aside from Soho and this building, which I give a pass as spurring development in the area, and being right at the southern tip of the street, I actually do feel that the front row of buildings along Preston should be shorter (or podiums with towers behind). Any height should be game for the properties further back from Preston and south of the Queensway.

McC · #35 Posted **May 2, 2012, 3:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottawan

Now the neighbourhood just needs a "Morguard Icon", "Oxford Icon", "Minto Icon" or "Metcalfe Icon" to go with the Claridge Icon and have the area really take off. What I'm getting at is that a 40+ storey office tower near Preston would be great.
.

don't forget that commercial floors are usually 15-20% taller than residential ones, so a commercial building of the same height would probably be fewer than 35 storeys.

Ottawan · #36 Posted **May 2, 2012, 3:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by McC

don't forget that commercial floors are usually 15-20% taller than residential ones, so a commercial building of the same height would probably be fewer than 35 storeys.

I hadn't forgotten - an iconic office tower should be taller than an iconic condo tower.

McKellarDweller · #37 Posted **May 2, 2012, 7:00 PM**

Wouldn't this block most of the southern views "Soho Italia" would have had?

I like this project, and am glad Claridge recognizes the big room for improvement they have.

I wonder if Neil Malhotra would keep a full-floor 360 degree-view penthouse for himself? I would! :-)

McC · #38 Posted **May 2, 2012, 7:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by McKellarDweller

Wouldn't this block most of the southern views "Soho Italia" would have had?

shouldn't, they're on opposite sides of Preston.

McKellarDweller · #39 Posted **May 2, 2012, 7:20 PM**

When I look at a map, it looks like the Dows Lake views would mostly be blocked though, no? Not that I care, just saying - the south/southeast facing Soho Italia units are way less appealing if the Icon goes up, IMO.

McC · #40 Posted **May 2, 2012, 7:41 PM**

okay, yes, views to the southeast would be pretty blocked