Gresham Block | 24m | 6s | Truman | Casola Koppe

MichaelS

MichaelS

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An engagement website has launched for the Gresham Block redevelopment. I guess this explains why the building had to be torn down. Another Truman one. While it isn't the orignal historic building, I feel this new one looks pretty good:
www.greshamblock.com

GRESHAM BLOCK

Gresham Block is a thoughtfully designed six-storey, mixed-use development proposed for a newly assembled 0.19-hectare corner site at 1403 9 AV SE (formerly 1403–1409 9 AV SE).
www.greshamblock.com www.greshamblock.com

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I really like this one. A modern building with simple massing, classic materials and nice big windows that pays homage to the previous building, while at the same time avoiding being a faux historic looking building. There was a discussion in another thread about buildings that were modern but also built in a style with a nod to the past and IMO this does it well.
 
It feels like the street level is rather boring and repetitive, especially for Inglewood's mainstreet. It would be nice if they could have worked some of the arched flourishes that they have on the top floor into the ground floor as well. They kind of did it for the one corner of the building but it's the corner that's tucked off the main drag.
 
I think this development style is ideal for inner-city areas just outside of downtown like Inglewood and Kensington. Reminds me of the sort of development that has been happening in Denver's LODO district. These sort of mid rise streetscapes are in very short supply here in Calgary compared with older, bigger cities like Toronto and Montreal.
 
Wow. Truman is taking OWNERSHIP of Calgary, and if they keep up with this level of quality, I'm here for it. Very nice, totally in step with the neighbourhood.
 
Looks good. I’d still like to see more developers take a risk and eliminate balconies. This building would look even better without the balconies (plus balconies is usually where developers cut costs by using cheap exterior materials).

I know I rarely used my small condo balconies, and in instances where the balcony is inset/recessed, I’d rather take the additional square footage indoors. I don’t know what code is, but I think a building like this would look better with false balconies, Juliette balconies, or hanging balconies.

Those corner units would be awesome with those windows on both sides of the corner, especially the top units with the arched windows.
 
Mountain Man said:
Looks good! Would be awesome if they could reuse some of the old brick, but I'm guessing that ship has sailed...
Click to expand...
The new Gresham Block building will integrate materials that were carefully salvaged from the original structure, including more than 500 bricks, a decorative transom window, Douglas fir wood beams, and pressed ceiling tiles.
Click to expand...
 
outoftheice said:
It feels like the street level is rather boring and repetitive, especially for Inglewood's mainstreet. It would be nice if they could have worked some of the arched flourishes that they have on the top floor into the ground floor as well. They kind of did it for the one corner of the building but it's the corner that's tucked off the main drag.
Click to expand...
I see what you mean.

I wish that buildings would be responsive to historical trends on entry design from nearby buildings. An angled, recessed entry was common and would be cool to see more of. This design is kind of doing that with the lower brick columns, but only somewhat.

Here is what im talking about:
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It was a common thing in Inglewood and on lots of older buildings and made a nice pedestrian refuge, would be cool to see this be emulated in new developments to keep this same rhythm of shop entries to define the public realm as distinctly Inglewood.

For the balcony comment, i get that, but i think its probably easier to sell a unit with a balcony unfortunately. I didnt find myself using mine that often though and it is a valid criticism.

Either way it is a great development and seems to take a very Gastown approach and I really appreciate this design as it is responsive to its context. Happy to see traction on apartments in Inglewood and it goes to show that all the upzoning in the neighbourhood to allow for concrete was for land speculation and was not in line with market fundamentals for what is feasible to finance and construct here. Wood frame is the economical play to get things going in Inglewood and it is good to see this as it is the right scale.
 
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