08-30-2018, 10:46 PM
I'm pleasantly surprised by this proposal. I think KW often plays it too 'safe' from an architectural and planning perspective, and this is relatively bold.
The mall is currently in a sad state - and seems unlikely to attract any big name anchors as is. Compounded with the decline/uncertainty of brick & mortar retail, a mixed office-space/retail intensification with easy access to the 401 doesn't seem like a bad idea. Perhaps an attempt to urbanize the suburban mall? I know many will dislike the concept of faux brick/beam, but playing off our industrial past isn't the worst idea, but better than yet another stucco strip mall design.
It reminds me a bit of The Great Northern in Manchester, UK
https://cdn.meetingsbooker.com/images/ve...mode=carve
https://thegreatnorthern.com/
The mall is currently in a sad state - and seems unlikely to attract any big name anchors as is. Compounded with the decline/uncertainty of brick & mortar retail, a mixed office-space/retail intensification with easy access to the 401 doesn't seem like a bad idea. Perhaps an attempt to urbanize the suburban mall? I know many will dislike the concept of faux brick/beam, but playing off our industrial past isn't the worst idea, but better than yet another stucco strip mall design.
It reminds me a bit of The Great Northern in Manchester, UK
https://cdn.meetingsbooker.com/images/ve...mode=carve
https://thegreatnorthern.com/