Urban Development and Proposals Discussion

[Cowtown]

I think the tallest of the hat projects should be called 'Top Hat' lol.

 

[MichaelS]

The Calgary Farmer's Market is opening a second location, in the community of Greenwich, across 16th Ave from COP:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calg...second-location-greenwood-northwest-1.4812846

More info on Greenwich here:
http://greenwichcalgary.com/

 

[Spring2008]

Greenwich - named after the Greenwich neighborhood in NYC. Good luck matching that, although I do appreciate their effort in bringing brownstones/mixed-use/walkability to that area of the city.

 

[Calgcouver]

I know i bitch about materials and design all the time,
but somehow this:

Seems a long way off from what they marketed on the website (brick-fronted rowhomes, brownstones):

Is brick so expensive that they have to minimize the amount they use it to this degree?
If you want to exude New York even a little bit (brick/georgian proportions), and don't neccessarily break the bank, you could've done something like these in PoCo:

At least it would've been even moderately followed some conventions of New York building-style (albeit in a re-produced suburban form). It just surprises me when a developer has a vision for what they want to build (Brownstone, NY-ish), that they set almost no architectural guidelines, and when Landmark or other builders come in with these proposals saying "Look! we added the lowest cost brick we could find to small portions of the first floor, does it feel like a brownstone yet?" I can't believe they don't send them back to the drawing board. They didn't even pretend to try to stick to a style, why even market a building or a place as such if the designs don't even try to convey the form/style they wish to emulate. Just called them luxury, contemporary rowhomes or some other bullshit.

 

[gsunnyg]

I know i bitch about materials and design all the time,
but somehow this:

View attachment 155864

Seems a long way off from what they marketed on the website (brick-fronted rowhomes, brownstones):
View attachment 155863

Is brick so expensive that they have to minimize the amount they use it to this degree?
If you want to exude New York even a little bit (brick/georgian proportions), and don't neccessarily break the bank, you could've done something like these in PoCo:

View attachment 155865

At least it would've been even moderately followed some conventions of New York building-style (albeit in a re-produced suburban form). It just surprises me when a developer has a vision for what they want to build (Brownstone, NY-ish), that they set almost no architectural guidelines, and when Landmark or other builders come in with these proposals saying "Look! we added the lowest cost brick we could find to small portions of the first floor, does it feel like a brownstone yet?" I can't believe they don't send them back to the drawing board. They didn't even pretend to try to stick to a style, why even market a building or a place as such if the designs don't even try to convey the form/style they wish to emulate. Just called them luxury, contemporary rowhomes or some other bullshit.

u know some of those projects wouldn't be half as bad had they not used vinyl in combo with brick, the moment u use vinyl ur screaming out cheap and laziness. Vinyl is one of the biggest things that has killed the beauty of exteriors in this city, its bloody everywhere.

 

[DougB]

Greenwich - named after the Greenwich neighborhood in NYC. Good luck matching that, although I do appreciate their effort in bringing brownstones/mixed-use/walkability to that area of the city.

It might be a play on Greenwood, the name for the trailer park that formerly occupied the site.

 

[Calgcouver]

u know some of those projects wouldn't be half as bad had they not used vinyl in combo with brick, the moment u use vinyl ur screaming out cheap and laziness. Vinyl is one of the biggest things that has killed the beauty of exteriors in this city, its bloody everywhere.

Agreed, just showing an example where they were very intent on keeping the cost down.

 

[Mountain Man]

Yeah that's pretty weak, has zero NYC style to it at all...

 

[Surrealplaces]

Nothing but pure marketing. There is absolutely nothing that ties Calgary's Greenwich Village to the one in New York.
The new neighborhood is okay for what it is, but the theme could go.

 

[CBBarnett]

Nothing but pure marketing. There is absolutely nothing that ties Calgary's Greenwich Village to the one in New York.
The new neighborhood is okay for what it is, but the theme could go.

Most of it's failures of design are not the developers fault: an inaccessible location with terrible network connectivity that all but guarantees total car-dependence is what relegates this neighbourhood to another nameless burb after the marketing campaign goes away and the area is built.

 

[Surrealplaces]

Most of it's failures of design are not the developers fault: an inaccessible location with terrible network connectivity that all but guarantees total car-dependence is what relegates this neighbourhood to another nameless burb after the marketing campaign goes away and the area is built.

Agreed. It's a tough parcel to work with from a connectivity aspect. The buildings themselves have no tie to Greenwich village, but they are buildings that would easily fit into a place like 17th ave NW or Sunalta, etc..

The Greenwich parcel might have been better as a spot for some sports venues like a soccer dome, etc..

 

[Spring2008]

I agree, the name does not live up to the original at all. Those buildings above are disappointing too, but there are some good aspects of the development. Fairly dense, with multiple uses. I prefer properties like this, Trinity Hills, West Campus get developed within existing development boundaries with medium density, mixed-use versus the traditional separated-use, sprawly developments of the past. Perhaps the City should look at expanding BRT to these higher density areas going forward.

This development looks promising:

And the new farmer's market does too. I'm pretty sure people would do back flips to have something like this in the Beltline. Perhaps podium level of a tower.

The Calgary Farmers’ Market announced a new 50,000 sqft location opening spring 2020 in Greenwich Village! Calgary Farmers’ Market West will feature 75+ vendors, an al-fresco style shopping/dining area, event space. & more. Congrats!

https://twitter.com/sonjadasiuk/status/1037746920108646400

Masterplan

 

[Spring2008]

I've read somewhere Calgary's share of cost would be around $500M. If that includes new arena I'd say go for it. Cgy will also benefit from upgrades to various sporting facilities, affordable housing, infrastructure, and more global recognition.

 

[GoVertical]

Heritage YMCA is coming down (finally):

 

[Social Justice]

That's a big chunk of land beside a C-train station. Hopefully we'll see some TOD magic happen here.