Patrick.1980
Active Member
What ever happened with the Sovereign project?
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General Construction Updates
- Thread starter Surrealplaces
- Start date
JonnyCanuck
Senior Member
If Sovereign is the Avi Urban project, it is on indefinite hold. It is supposed to be high-rise condo (they don't do purpose rentals) and given the state of that market in the inner city, it's not the right time.
ferreth
New Member
Minor update on the Professional Bldg Construction at Meadows Mile:
Professional Bldg Construction IMG_2602 by ferreth, on Flickr
Couple more angles up there on Flickr if you want to look.
Not much change this week, but they are working steadily on the 2nd level forms for the pour. I didn't really capture it well but you can see the little building in the back (coffee shop) taking form. It seems a strange thing for building like this, can't think of any other examples like it at least in this small (3-4 story) a form factor.
Looking at those McMahon renders only solidifies my no vote for the Olympic bid, but that would be an off topic, so if you want to read my reasoning here is is.
Professional Bldg Construction IMG_2602 by ferreth, on Flickr
Couple more angles up there on Flickr if you want to look.
Not much change this week, but they are working steadily on the 2nd level forms for the pour. I didn't really capture it well but you can see the little building in the back (coffee shop) taking form. It seems a strange thing for building like this, can't think of any other examples like it at least in this small (3-4 story) a form factor.
Looking at those McMahon renders only solidifies my no vote for the Olympic bid, but that would be an off topic, so if you want to read my reasoning here is is.
RyLucky
Active Member
So the answer is a resounding "NO" (56.4% vs 43.5%ish).
You know and I know that this was not technically a vote about whether or not to use taxpayer money to build a new stadium... but we also both know that is exactly what it was about.
Personally, I think - done the right way - the Olympics could have been a boon for infrastructure, our city brand, and ultimately our economy. However, a certain group of millionaire owners seemed to be (very transparently) making this "right way" very difficult. My instinct is that Calgarians are a bit (56%) jaded by the political attempts of this group to have their way. More than a rejection of the hosting the Olympics, I see the results of the plebiscite as a rejection of their tone-deaf tactics.
Here's some free consulting for the Flames' ownership group:
- Make a detailed website (duh) with information related to the project
- Define your project with a clear, socially-oriented vision: "To reimagine Stampede Park/Vic Park/WV/Banff Trail as an all season destination and crossroads for the surrounding communities with opportunities for developers, retail, and new residents blah blah blah..."
- Create a clear illustration (i.e. a picture) of the ways you envision people moving through the stadium site(s). Use broad arrows to show how transit, pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers will access the site
- Engage the community with a survey so you can pretend you are taking their thoughts into account throughout the design process
- Present ideas for how the project could benefit the non-spectating public (i.e. waterfront pathways, plazas, a tailgate amphitheatre, shinny rink, amateur facilities, public facilities, improvements to street front, opportunities for existing organizations like CUSA/CBFA/CMHA, etc.)
- Offer options at different price points and degrees of public benefit
- Outline the phases/timeline and important benchmarks the project needs to succeed
- Stop letting those who would antagonize Nenshi, council, and progressives speak for you. There is no version of this project that proceeds without cooperation.
- Ultimately, it's still going to be a giant public ask. In the States a plebiscite could include a new tax, which we aren't able to do here - but honestly, we should be thinking about it AS IF there were a new tax associated with it. This is where the owners seem the most hypocritical, maybe because they haven't fully philosophically reckoned with what they are asking for.
You know and I know that this was not technically a vote about whether or not to use taxpayer money to build a new stadium... but we also both know that is exactly what it was about.
Personally, I think - done the right way - the Olympics could have been a boon for infrastructure, our city brand, and ultimately our economy. However, a certain group of millionaire owners seemed to be (very transparently) making this "right way" very difficult. My instinct is that Calgarians are a bit (56%) jaded by the political attempts of this group to have their way. More than a rejection of the hosting the Olympics, I see the results of the plebiscite as a rejection of their tone-deaf tactics.
Here's some free consulting for the Flames' ownership group:
- Make a detailed website (duh) with information related to the project
- Define your project with a clear, socially-oriented vision: "To reimagine Stampede Park/Vic Park/WV/Banff Trail as an all season destination and crossroads for the surrounding communities with opportunities for developers, retail, and new residents blah blah blah..."
- Create a clear illustration (i.e. a picture) of the ways you envision people moving through the stadium site(s). Use broad arrows to show how transit, pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers will access the site
- Engage the community with a survey so you can pretend you are taking their thoughts into account throughout the design process
- Present ideas for how the project could benefit the non-spectating public (i.e. waterfront pathways, plazas, a tailgate amphitheatre, shinny rink, amateur facilities, public facilities, improvements to street front, opportunities for existing organizations like CUSA/CBFA/CMHA, etc.)
- Offer options at different price points and degrees of public benefit
- Outline the phases/timeline and important benchmarks the project needs to succeed
- Stop letting those who would antagonize Nenshi, council, and progressives speak for you. There is no version of this project that proceeds without cooperation.
- Ultimately, it's still going to be a giant public ask. In the States a plebiscite could include a new tax, which we aren't able to do here - but honestly, we should be thinking about it AS IF there were a new tax associated with it. This is where the owners seem the most hypocritical, maybe because they haven't fully philosophically reckoned with what they are asking for.
darwink
Senior Member
Barron building demo:
The Familia
Active Member
What are they actually doing with the Baron building? I thought that office expansion was dead.
Social Justice
Active Member
I thought it was being developed into a mixed use building.
Rumors were that it was going to be converted into residential. I haven't heard if it's going ahead for sure.
JonnyCanuck
Senior Member
It is going to be rental residential with I suppose, some retail on the main floor.
Calgcouver
Active Member
Barron Building is gonna be rental apartments with ground floor retail. They will need to have windows for the residential units likely starting from the second floor. I believe the concrete portion on the back they are tearing down is the old theatre and mezzanine to make way for more efficient/useful residential floorplates. If they do this building right (heritage-ish lofts, true to the Art-Moderne style) sign me up to rent here if I ever move back, always loved this building.
Pipedream, but i would like to see all heritage buildings along Stephen Avenue converted to residential or live/work units (At least the ones not connected to the mall) and have it feel and develop in a similar manner to Gastown. Would breathe life into Stephen Ave where we really need it.
Now, who wants to JV to renovate/redevelop the St Regis Hotel with me? It's assessed at ~$2.5M at this point and shouldn't be allowed to languish anymore. Retail/restaurant/bar on main floor, 2nd and 3rd floor as like Drake Hotel-ish boutique hotels, residential lofts on floors 4-6, and hopefully rooftop amenity. Dare to dream :/
Pipedream, but i would like to see all heritage buildings along Stephen Avenue converted to residential or live/work units (At least the ones not connected to the mall) and have it feel and develop in a similar manner to Gastown. Would breathe life into Stephen Ave where we really need it.
Now, who wants to JV to renovate/redevelop the St Regis Hotel with me? It's assessed at ~$2.5M at this point and shouldn't be allowed to languish anymore. Retail/restaurant/bar on main floor, 2nd and 3rd floor as like Drake Hotel-ish boutique hotels, residential lofts on floors 4-6, and hopefully rooftop amenity. Dare to dream :/
darwink
Senior Member
In the original Bow plans, St. Regis was to be converted into a Encana only employee hotel-the city's hotel market was in a huge crunch at the time, to the point where Encana's corporate travel department had a standing block of rooms at the Delta South.
Social Justice
Active Member
Let's all pool our money together and buy it! 
Calgcouver
Active Member
An idea I have had bouncing around lately has been to focus on a heritage district for Calgary that would allow for only residential & live/work units above grade. It would be developed in the same way Gastown was (Gastown isn't all old, most of it is heritage-ish infill). Heritage infill lots and renovated old C-class office buildings. These were the blocks that would make sense to include:
Just build it
Active Member
Social Justice
Active Member
I like it!
That would be nice to renovate some of those older blocks.
1. Renovation that stretch of older buildings on 7th ave
2. Rebuild the York Hotel
3. Renovation the St. Regis and the Legion
4. Build out more CRU's along 8th Ave.
That would be nice to renovate some of those older blocks.
1. Renovation that stretch of older buildings on 7th ave
2. Rebuild the York Hotel
3. Renovation the St. Regis and the Legion
4. Build out more CRU's along 8th Ave.