864-872 King St W | 55, 44, 38, 16 fl | proposed

[Square]

Vive, IN8, HIP and even Drewlo all need to be stopped.

Stopped ... how, and then what? We have absolutely zero rules for architecture outside the heritage districts. How are you going to deny a site plan or building permit based on the design? Or force a developer to design something that you like?

I'm not fan of this building, but we have no tools to force better design, so developers can do what they want. And I will argue that housing is still better than no housing.

I agree.  The building looks ok to me.  Other then the building across from Grand River Hospital, Vanmar, Vive, IN8 are at least trying to build in this economy.  I don't have my hope up for all the other many proposed developments. (The one at the corner of Park and Victoria won at the OLT, yet how many years now without a peep)

[cherrypark]

Park and Victoria has been quiet but it has been like... 14 months since the settlement was reached.

[dtkvictim]

Stopped ... how, and then what? We have absolutely zero rules for architecture outside the heritage districts. How are you going to deny a site plan or building permit based on the design? Or force a developer to design something that you like?

I'm not fan of this building, but we have no tools to force better design, so developers can do what they want. And I will argue that housing is still better than no housing.

I was being somewhat facetious obvi I don’t think they should literally be stopped, they’re merely supervillains who are ruining a once in a century, opportunity to completely redesign and reimagine our city and region. Once these are built we will be stuck with them for many many decades and they will be the legacy of Waterloo region. 

Soulless, cheap, impersonal, and inhuman. I mean genuinely many of these buildings would be at home in Soviet Russia so it’s simply sad that that is all this companies aspire to be. So no they shouldn’t literally be stopped, but yes it’s still something I genuinely take seriously because this is the legacy they are leaving behind and it’s one that says “I don’t care, Waterloo region isn’t worth it”

Ugly utilitarian housing seems to be the rule, not the exception, for countries in desperate need. Soviet Russia, as you brought up, is just one of many examples post-WW2.

It seems that drastic urban redesign comes from the vanity projects of authoritarian rulers or the uber wealthy. Otherwise those changes come gradually in wealthy states with stable housing supply, affording individuals an opportunity to make their home and community something they can invest in. I don't think either situation really describes Canada right now, so don't hold your breath.

[bravado]

These buildings are objects to store capital, beauty doesn’t even come into the equation for 98% of them.

[Square]

Park and Victoria has been quiet but it has been like... 14 months since the settlement was reached.

Still, have my doubts the current owner of this site and the owners of all the other sites will start anytime soon. That is why even if the building is ugly, I'm glad Vanmar, Vive, etc are still building right now.

[Acitta]

Park and Victoria has been quiet but it has been like... 14 months since the settlement was reached.

Still, have my doubts the current owner of this site and the owners of all the other sites will start anytime soon. That is why even if the building is ugly, I'm glad Vanmar, Vive, etc are still building right now.

I think that the financial situation has changed in the last couple of years that may have affected the ability of these companies to finance their projects. Maybe many projects are stalled because interest rates are still too high.

[jeffster]

Stopped ... how, and then what? We have absolutely zero rules for architecture outside the heritage districts. How are you going to deny a site plan or building permit based on the design? Or force a developer to design something that you like?

I'm not fan of this building, but we have no tools to force better design, so developers can do what they want. And I will argue that housing is still better than no housing.

I was being somewhat facetious obvi I don’t think they should literally be stopped, they’re merely supervillains who are ruining a once in a century, opportunity to completely redesign and reimagine our city and region. Once these are built we will be stuck with them for many many decades and they will be the legacy of Waterloo region. 

Soulless, cheap, impersonal, and inhuman. I mean genuinely many of these buildings would be at home in Soviet Russia so it’s simply sad that that is all this companies aspire to be. So no they shouldn’t literally be stopped, but yes it’s still something I genuinely take seriously because this is the legacy they are leaving behind and it’s one that says “I don’t care, Waterloo region isn’t worth it”

I don't disagree with you. However, we have no other developers coming in to spend that type of capital to build something more pleasing to the eyes.

Unsure if they are soviet style, but for sure they look similar to what you'd see in the UK outside of London proper.

A good exterior design really does add millions to the cost, and occasionally offensive to some snowflakes who don't understand design.

[ac3r]

Anyone saying this stuff looks okay and is better than nothing must really hate this city. I'd rather no homes available than this trash. Everything in this region blows it's honestly funny at this point.

[bravado]

Anyone saying this stuff looks okay and is better than nothing must really hate this city. I'd rather no homes available than this trash. Everything in this region blows it's honestly funny at this point.

Something that only somebody who is comfortably housed would say

These facts can exist at the same time:
1: the fact that this garbage is the only type of local project that will pencil is a failure of all levels of leadership across seemingly the whole Anglosphere 
2: the current housing crisis is causing unfathomable suffering and is seemingly invisible to people who aren’t suffering and who were born at the right place and time

[Square]

Anyone saying this stuff looks okay and is better than nothing must really hate this city. I'd rather no homes available than this trash. Everything in this region blows it's honestly funny at this point.

Are you living in Waterloo Region?  If Yes, why?, if it is so trashy? If No, why complain so much?

[tomh009]

Soulless, cheap, impersonal, and inhuman. I mean genuinely many of these buildings would be at home in Soviet Russia so it’s simply sad that that is all this companies aspire to be.

Have you actually seen Soviet construction for yourself, in person? I have, and it's another level or three below these still.

[Square]

"In addition, the development would leave room for a future development on the same site. According to the applicant, that could be another tower with at least 37 floors." This was in a CityNews article, so only 2 towers?

[ZEBuilder]

"In addition, the development would leave room for a future development on the same site. According to the applicant, that could be another tower with at least 37 floors."  This was in a CityNews article, so only 2 towers?

On the CTV property yes, there's only adequate space for 2 while conforming to the setback requirements of Growing Together. From the Growing Together docs it looked like Vive owned more than just the CTV property though so the project might be larger then just two towers.

[Square]

"In addition, the development would leave room for a future development on the same site. According to the applicant, that could be another tower with at least 37 floors."  This was in a CityNews article, so only 2 towers?

On the CTV property yes, there's only adequate space for 2 while conforming to the setback requirements of Growing Together. From the Growing Together docs it looked like Vive owned more than just the CTV property though so the project might be larger then just two towers.

As long as the second tower is the 55 floors one.

[Wingers19]

Demolition has begun on the former home of CKCO

https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/demolition-...-1.7058099