Hydrostone Place | ~25 m | 7 floors | Completed

[someone123]

Condominium development on Russell Street near the Hydrostone.

Rendering from HydrostonePlace.com:



This is a different development from Hydrostone Suites, which was completed recently a block or so away.

[Haliguy]

Here's a pic I got of this project the other day.

[someone123]

The scale I guess is fine, although it's really the cladding that is important. Based on the rendering it looks like they'll use the same roof material that was used on the Garden Crest condos, which is unfortunate.

By the way, I was in the area the other day and I noticed that the auto repair place across from the Hydrostone market is now fenced off. There's a "for lease" sign up. I wonder if this other site would be a candidate for development as well?

[Haliguy]

Originally Posted by someone123

The scale I guess is fine, although it's really the cladding that is important. Based on the rendering it looks like they'll use the same roof material that was used on the Garden Crest condos, which is unfortunate.

By the way, I was in the area the other day and I noticed that the auto repair place across from the Hydrostone market is now fenced off. There's a "for lease" sign up. I wonder if this other site would be a candidate for development as well?

Yes, the scale seems very appropriate for the area. That vacant lot I would think would be very ripe for a nice development.

[worldlyhaligonian]

[Keith P.]

A couple of new pics taken today.

Looking south:



And, looking north:



They are using the concrete block faux-stone as cladding and while it won't fool anyone, it doesn't look as bad as the stuff used on Armoury Square or St. James Place. It's sort of a neat-looking building, especially the corner units. If only they would encase the concrete sonotube columns with something to make them look less cheap...

The top floor appears to have a terrace all the way around.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Keith, firstly, thank-you for posting these pics, I've been wondering about this development for some time.

I agree, it looks better than I thought it would, but still tres faux.

[Keith P.]

Thanks, worldly. I went to the website www.hydrostoneplace.com and the floorplans look pretty generous. The penthouse is fabulous (and at nearly $500K, it ought to be) but even the 1 bedroom units are a good size. The pricing is stiffer than I thought it would be though -- the cheapest 1 br plus small den is at about $300K.

[someone123]

My main issue with the design is that it doesn't fill out the lot very well. It feels more suburban than the surrounding area, though it's better than the strip mall that was there previously.

[Takeo]

Originally Posted by someone123

My main issue with the design is that it doesn't fill out the lot very well. It feels more suburban than the surrounding area, though it's better than the strip mall that was there previously.

Yes... the medical place and that weird "thinker" statue on the podium... that was hilarious.

[Keith P.]

I drove by there today and while it still appears to be some time away from completion, one addition has been made that is not for the better. The recessed areas on each balcony surrounding the patio doors and windows have been clad in siding, either vinyl or concrete clapboard. It is only a small surface area but it looks jarring and cheap.

[spaustin]

It was just on the news that some of the exterior of this one got a little singed today. Some jerk lit the porto potties on fire and the result was some minor damage to the side of the building. Didn't look too serious. Fire on construction sites seems to be right of passage up that way (Glatstone had a minor fire too).

[Bedford_DJ]

Does anyone know if this is near complete yet?

[Keith P.]

I drove by a week or so ago and they had a model suite open. Looked like they were still doing interior finishing elsewhere, landscaping, etc. Not quite finished, but close.

I was moderately interested in this for myself but the brewery smell would be very bad at times. Not that I don't like beer, but I don't want to smell it all the time.

[Bedford_DJ]

Thanks "Keith P". Its unfortunate there's no new pictures of this place but does anyone know how this turned out in terms of niceness?

I've only been in that area a handful of times so I don't even know what is really near it. All I know is that the Hydrostone is nearby.

[Takeo]

I live in the Hydrostone area... and believe me... that building is SOOOOO ugly. Looks like the a rejected Quality Inn or Comfort Suites design.

Oh... and the smell from Olands doesn't smell anything like beer unfortunately. That would be a huge improvement. It smells like rotting yeast... which is what it is :-) Luckily, I don't smell it at all where I live. I can't imagine being next door to that smell.

[Bedford_DJ]

Well heres the completed building everyone;


Source: Pivture taken by me

[spaustin]

Yuck. The top is completely at odds with the rest of the building and the concrete blocks on the corner balconies... Yuck again. They really threw the kitchen sink of styles at this thing.

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by spaustin

Yuck. The top is completely at odds with the rest of the building and the concrete blocks on the corner balconies... Yuck again. They really threw the kitchen sink of styles at this thing.

I agree. The near-vertical metal roofing just looks silly when used like that. Still... could have been worse?

[dartmouthian]

looks AWFUL. what a total shitfest of styles randomly stuck together.