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We all know that buildings don't always turn out like the renderings. Last-minute changes and real-life materials can all cause discrepancies between the vision and reality of a project. In our Flash Forward Friday feature, we take a look at how different projects stack up.
Situated across from Central Memorial Park and Haultain Park, the location of Lake Placid Group's recently completed 18-storey condominium tower rivals that of every other residential development in the Beltline. The deceptively tall tower — its height subdued by a stepped crowning element — was simply and appropriately named 'The Park' by the developer.
Before construction began, a series of renderings displayed the exterior expression and interior features of the IBI Group-designed building, with corner balconies on each elevation taking advantage of the city and park views. Larger semi-circular outdoor terraces on the north face draw attention to the pointed vestibule, while directing residents' views towards Central Memorial Park.
When it was completed in 2015, the building sported a slightly different look than its renderings suggested. The massing and overall articulation of the building closely aligned with the illustrations, including the brick-clad townhomes facing the street. But the main difference in the project's execution concerns the colour of the glass. A thermal tinted blue glass was installed on the structure, appearing much darker than the window wall initially depicted. That may be a welcome surprise to avid observers of modern architecture in Calgary, where many new developments tend to implement a lighter colour palette for their spandrel and glazing systems.
The 156-unit development is located just a block away from two more highly anticipated projects that are currently underway in the Beltline. The 34-storey Park Point is more than halfway towards its structural peak, while the 31-storey Underwood Tower undergoes excavation.
We will return next Friday with another comparison!
| Related Companies: | Arcadis |
