General Urban Waterloo Updates and Rumours

[danbrotherston]

Old trail is still open but will close.

Where did you hear that? Everything I've seen has said it will remain open.

I am also interested in a citation here. It has repeatedly been said that it will stay open. A change to close it would be a big and unconsulted change.

[dtkvictim]

I think this is on the parking lot property along the trail, behind the properties on Park.

A family member who was renting in the 153-159 Park St range of houses was evicted a while back, I just asked about it and apparently the house was sold to a developer planning a "tower". Not sure if that's referring to Iron Horse Living or if another development is planned for this side of the trail too.

[Lebronj23]

https://www.engagewr.ca/177-179-albert-st

[westwardloo]

I actually like it. Much nicer than most of the buildings in Northdale. Finally a building with a square footprint.

[ac3r]

Why are talentless architects addicted to putting random blotches of colour on their buildings? It makes no sense.

[bravado]

Why are talentless architects addicted to putting random blotches of colour on their buildings? It makes no sense.

Their brains still have some residual memory of colour and joy and life that occasionally breaks through the greige mental barricades

[nms]

Maybe the architect is a WLU alumnus?

[ac3r]

Lol. If they were I could respect that.

[ac3r]

Zoning amendments to allow for up to four dwelling units per property: https://www.engagewr.ca/amendment-to-all...ling-units

[tomh009]

A nice expansion of an existing three-storey apartment at 144 Lucan Ave, at the intersection of the Spur Line Trail and Union St. They added three floors and 30 units (60 bedrooms!) without the need for a complete demolition and construction.

This is moving forward, albeit at a very slow pace. The exterior has paint and almost all the windows are in now, but still no balcony railings. It now appears to have a name ("Spurline Flats") and they are promoting the apartments. Or maybe the sign was there before and I just didn't see it?

This may have been even slower than the Drewlo projects (at least in terms of time spent per floor) but it looks like it's finally ready for occupancy.

   

   

   

[cherrypark]

Why are talentless architects addicted to putting random blotches of colour on their buildings? It makes no sense.

If the choice is this or the monochrome pre-fab all over King St. in Waterloo, I'll take the half hearted colour splashes.

[ijmorlan]

Why are talentless architects addicted to putting random blotches of colour on their buildings? It makes no sense.

If the choice is this or the monochrome pre-fab all over King St. in Waterloo, I'll take the half hearted colour splashes.

Are we talking about the nice bright yellow dumpster? I think it makes a nice contrast with the blues of the building itself.

[ac3r]

This is moving forward, albeit at a very slow pace. The exterior has paint and almost all the windows are in now, but still no balcony railings. It now appears to have a name ("Spurline Flats") and they are promoting the apartments. Or maybe the sign was there before and I just didn't see it?

This may have been even slower than the Drewlo projects (at least in terms of time spent per floor) but it looks like it's finally ready for occupancy.

If you parked a few old Lada's in front of this place, you could almost believe you're in Russia.

And why is there soooo much blank wall? Just use bigger windows! If you're going to paint the entire thing grey, at least give the residents bigger windows for more lighting and airflow. Make it look a little less bleak. If it weren't for the balconies you could slap some bars on the windows and it would look like a prison. I guess that would be money out of Drewlo's pocket, though.

[tomh009]

And why is there soooo much blank wall? Just use bigger windows! If you're going to paint the entire thing grey, at least give the residents bigger windows for more lighting and airflow. Make it look a little less bleak. If it weren't for the balconies you could slap some bars on the windows and it would look like a prison. I guess that would be money out of Drewlo's pocket, though.

They basically extended an existing building horizontally and vertically, and used the same design in the extensions.

This building is not Drewlo.

[tomh009]

24 Union St E. A nice mid-rise infill building. Is it the red "brick" panels that makes it look nicer?