A month since our last update, and progress at the site of Cidex Group's The Hat in East Village has been moving along nicely, with glazing work now approaching the "brim." Named for its hat-like silhouette, the NORR Architects-designed 28-storey, 221-unit rental tower has captured ample attention on our Forum, namely for its generous use of spandrel in place of glass curtain wall. 

The Hat, cladding nearing the brim, image by Forum contributor 1875

Despite early critiques, opinions are beginning to soften now that The Hat is nearing completion, its finished look now all the easier to contemplate seeing as the spandrel to glazing ratios in question are now playing out in reality. While this is not to say that it would have been nice to see a bit more expense thrown at the design, as natural light is always a plus, it is understandable from a business perspective, owing to the fact that the tower will be rentals. 

Storm clouds brewing over top of The Hat, image by Forum contributor 1875

Nevertheless, The Hat will be a positive force within East Village, the development to aid in the balancing out of unit types in the area, the future apartment block to deliver up to 350 new residents to the neighbourhood. 

The Hat, standing tall in East Village, image by Forum contributor 1875

Viewed in its urban context above, The Hat will soon join a collection of new high-rises in East Village, the area still in the midst of a massive urban transformation. Once complete, The Hat will be a welcome addition, helping to bring a degree of increased diversity to the core. 

SkyriseCalgary will be sure to return to this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Database file and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.