387-397 King St E and 6 Madison Ave | 2 & 8 fl | U/C

[westwardloo]

Is it real brick or just pre-assembled panels? Either way I'm glad they went with that colour. It's a nice break from the current trend of white/grey we are seeing everywhere.

I would have kept it all red brick, though, rather than the dark grey they're also using. Then for the section that is currently cinderblock (it'll have signage) I would have used some nice steel or another metal rather than what appears like will be more "ornamental" stucco-like junk. It could have made this look really contemporary yet paying homage to early 20th century industrial heritage the city was once known for.

It's not hard to design a good building...or maybe it is? I'd love to know where half these architects studied. If in my university days I presented buildings like many things we see in our region I'd be failing classes.

I wish The Region could get mid-rises like those. I know Europe has its fair share of Architectural stinkers, but by in large most of the cities I have been to are filled with beautiful well thought out mid-rise developments. I just don't understand what is wrong with architecture in Canada? Do our developers just not give a shit? or are our architects just incapable of thoughtful design? Does the lack of historic buildings in Canada cause an indifference to architecture?  It doesn't cost that much more to choose the right materials for a project. 

It's like we just throw exterior cladding at the walls and hope it makes a building.