Calgary: Your favorite U/C Residential Highrise - Page 2

CorporateWhore · #21 Posted: **Jan 5, 2007, 4:15 PM**

alright, which jokester picked London?

Coldrsx · #22 Posted: **Jan 5, 2007, 4:54 PM**

nova - clean, simple, modern, townhouses...

SteveP · #23 Posted: **Jan 5, 2007, 4:58 PM**

1) Union square
2) Nova
3) Gateway
4) Colors

i like the modern look of theose projects, and IMO they have the great podiums.

freeweed · #24 Posted: **Jan 5, 2007, 5:43 PM**

In defense of Arriva, I like it because of what it represents - a very large tower outside of the downtown core, in an area that's needed revitalization for decades. The area around the Saddledome was one of the scariest parts of Calgary not too many years ago, and soon it's going to be one of the nicest.

I realize this thread is intended to be strictly about the building itself, but I think the role a building plays in a community is as important as the architecture. Yes, Arriva isn't the first in that area, but it's certainly the nicest so far. And it's so damned TALL.

Stephen Ave · #25 Posted: **Jan 6, 2007, 12:12 AM**

Some really good projects out there. Xenex, Gateway, and Union Square are my favorites. Colors may well turn out to be the best, as Batistella's renderings don't always do justice. Look at Chocolate, the rendering makes the building look ho-hum, but it turned out to be great.

JBinCalgary · #26 Posted: **Jan 6, 2007, 12:15 AM**

from that rendering, arriva will have a great street presence

Rob D · #27 Posted: **Jan 6, 2007, 1:22 AM**

1. Colours
2. Union Square
3. Encore
4. Xenex
5. Nova

Rob D · #28 Posted: **Jan 6, 2007, 1:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh white

I heard somewhere that the entire base of Vetro was going to be a Sobey's. Anyone else heard of this?

Interestingly, The exchange project also calls for a grocery store in it. Obviously extremely important amenities for residents. I also hope that some smaller specialty grocers open in the area as well as a butcher and a bloody good bakery!!!

Yes I have heard about the Sobey's "urban market" as well. Possibly from you Josh!

The grocery store in the Exchange project is supposedly going to be a reduced size Calgary Co-op.

Then there is the grocery store proposed for the new Eau Claire market as well.

More choice in the core would be great IMHO

jeffwhit · #29 Posted: **Jan 6, 2007, 3:28 AM**

I picked Colours,

I like Arriva but I heartily agree with my brother about the podium level.

Colours actually turned the necessity of above ground parking into a huge plus.

dubiousmike · #30 Posted: **Jan 6, 2007, 3:29 AM**

Yep, Colours for me. I'm also quite fond of Union Square.

I'm enormously excited about the future of 1 St.

Western Spaghetti · #31 Posted: **Jan 6, 2007, 4:45 AM**

Union Square all the way. Although Colors could be great as well. I don't like all of the colored patches on the parking part of the building. I would put it as number one, if not for that.

WhipperSnapper · #32 Posted: **Jan 6, 2007, 5:50 AM**

1. Colours
2. Stella
3. Gateway
4. Union Square
5. Gateway/Arriva

SteveP · #33 Posted: **Jan 6, 2007, 8:34 AM**

Looks like Arriva, Colors and Union Square are the big winners, not only with first place votes, but also it seems that those three are in most people's top five list. Nova and Gateway seem to be well liked as well.

Bokimon · #34 Posted: **Jan 6, 2007, 7:18 PM**

Mine are ArriVa, Colours and Union Square.
the tallest and most handsome of condo towers in the city and also the first 34 storey to get built in the city in a long time.
I like Colours because I think if they do a good job like they did for Chocolate, that area will be that much better.
Third place is a tie to me, Union and Nova.
Union because that rendering makes it look so much better but I want more views. Nova because Stella turned out so nice and the rendering for Nova showed some improvements which will make it slightly sleeker than Stella.

Surrealplaces · #35 Posted: **Jan 6, 2007, 9:46 PM**

I wonder if anyone has any connections to one of theose Condo magazines? It would be interesting to see if they would ever consider printing off these results. It might show the developers/architects which projects are well liked.

I doubt that the condo mags would print this though because they are magazines that rely on advertising and probably wouldn't want to offend some of the clients who did poorly in the voting.

On the hand the results could be sent to Torode, and he could put them in one of his adverts.

Bassic Lab · #36 Posted: **Jan 7, 2007, 12:17 AM**

Aesthetically speaking I'd have to say Union Square with Colours a close second. Arriva loses points for the base, not because of the individual materials, I personally don't mind brick and stone, but the combination of those two with the glass on the podium just doesn't do it for me.

London should get some special recognition though. Upon completion of the four tower complex it will hold something like 1500 new units in an established community without having destroyed any part of that community. The city should really push for more complexes like London, high density developments on brownfield sites, in inner or near inner city areas, close to great transit. Two such complexes mean something like a square mile less sprawl on the city's perephery. If they could only make the next ones better looking, and I really hope there are next ones, the Horton Road strip alone could easily house more than 10 000 people and such areas exist all over the city.

RWin · #37 Posted: **Jan 7, 2007, 3:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassic Lab

London should get some special recognition though. Upon completion of the four tower complex it will hold something like 1500 new units in an established community without having destroyed any part of that community. The city should really push for more complexes like London, high density developments on brownfield sites, in inner or near inner city areas, close to great transit....

Yes!

London gets too much bad mouthing around here. I think its good too. As far as how it looks? Lets wait until its finished.

CorporateWhore · #38 Posted: **Jan 7, 2007, 7:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassic Lab

London should get some special recognition though. Upon completion of the four tower complex it will hold something like 1500 new units in an established community without having destroyed any part of that community. The city should really push for more complexes like London, high density developments on brownfield sites, in inner or near inner city areas, close to great transit.

Brava has done all those things, but in a much more aesthetically pleasing package.

Bassic Lab · #39 Posted: **Jan 7, 2007, 2:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorporateWhore

Brava has done all those things, but in a much more aesthetically pleasing package.

To a point, but if I remember correctly Brava doesn't include a retail component. London just seems to include more public space. The retail portion, along with finally adding some connectivity over the tracks along the mile long fencing between Heritage and Southland, make it something that will actually benifit the local areas more than Brava. Well, that's the impression I get any way. There is probaboly also some defense of the underdog occuring. People should really try to see London for what it is, not just centering on the ass ugly looks and the embarassing advertising campaign. Instead they are saying that they hope it disapears.

Arriviste · #40 Posted: **Jan 7, 2007, 5:51 PM**

Brava has a mall (albeit decrepit) right across the street. I nearly bought in Brava, and now wish I had. A beautiful complex it will be. Mind you, I don't like it aesthetically all that much, but agree its infinitely better than London.
I hope Guy Fawks makes an appearance and takes that bitch down.