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internationalx

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Tout ce qui a été posté par internationalx

  1. internationalx
    I wonder if Kohn, Pederson & Fox got around to renderings of a 72 storey building and/or a twin towered complex. Could very well be that they have such items in their archives. On a side note, I also wonder about SOM and the Bank of Montreal/CP tower where Windsor station is. For a couple of years - 1970-72, I believe - guys from SOM were supposedly set-up in the basement of Windsor developing plans for BMO's new HQ on the site. I am most certain their archives have a treasure trove of proposed renderings.
  2. internationalx
    LOL... so what. The article isn't exactly filled with mistruths. I mean, the pictures are uncalled for. They talk mostly of infrastructure and the 2-22 project. They could have put in pics relative to the story. That said, I have learned NOT to look at comments sections of online editions of newspapers. Only the NUT jobs tend to write comments and, as an early poster wrote, spew hate and ramble on about the past injustices. Boo hoo. Life is really miserable in Canada and Quebec. This is hardly an anti-Quebec, anti-francophone piece of journalism. It's about Montreal. Don't forget Montreal is not just filled with Francophone Quebecers...so if it's offensive, it's offensive to all Montrealers, Anglophones and Allophones too. Back to the comments for a sec... I have read comments in the past on both Cyberpresse and SRC and they can be pretty filled with hate towards Canada and Anglophone Quebecers. I mean, is it still okay to call Anglophones white Rhodesians? Bottom line: there are A LOT of people out there with a lot of hang-ups about history and language. WAY too sensitive. Get over it. It's a big, complicated, very competitive world out there now.
  3. internationalx
    Too bad the Hotel de la Montagne blocks any possible expansion of Ogilvy's itself... though at Barney's in NY, they have a passage through another building on the block that connects its two buildings... On another note relating to Ogilvy's.... nice to see Quebec business EXPANDING a venerable brand. Though, I am cautious about the success of suburban expansion; Quebec City is smart, but Laval and Brossard? Maybe diluting the brand in the Montreal area too much... and from what I read, the first new location will be located next to a Wal-Mart. Don't forget, Ogilvy's tried this long ago and failed at Fairview when it first opened as a very upscale mall. I think expansion should be to major cities - Ottawa, Toronto and perhaps Halifax. I think the current location serves the Montreal region as a destination. Should be kept that way.
  4. internationalx
    At least it seems there was ambition in the late 1980's.... though everyone was bullish on commercial real estate then.
  5. internationalx
    I may be in the minority here, but I think Complexe Desjardins' architecture/aesthetic is aging well - that is, it is looking better with age. Civilization/cultures we tend to appreciate architecture and design the more time passes. For me, the same can be said for the following: The Queen E, Complexe Maisonneuve (Bell/Banque Nat'l), and the Stade Olympique.
  6. internationalx
    Financing for hotels, let alone hotel construction is incredibly difficult right now. Banks don't want to hear about it. I'd give the MONIT guys benefit of the doubt.
  7. internationalx
    Yes, Drapeau was a megalomanic. But the Big O is flawed more by it's location than anything else - ground is too soft and it's too physically too far from downtown. Plus, it is tainted in our historical imagination by construction-industry corruption and the boondoggle it was.
  8. internationalx
    Look at the foot traffic on Dorchester... and the clearly defined 4 lanes in each direction. No parking. A pretty vibrant little strip. Oh, and Jesus... the CIBC tower is AMAZING in this pic. Sick.
  9. internationalx
    It is amazing... in that picture, it shows a vibrant, commercial sector. I love that there were storefronts on the south side of the Dominion Square Bldg. That's our problem today... everything is Ste Catherine St or die. We have a shopping corridor instead of a shopping neighborhood.
  10. internationalx
    I couldn't agree with you more. Yes, it have proved to be a totally impractical building and flawed design BUT aesthetically, it has only gotten better as time goes on; it is a WILD piece of futuristic architecture. Stadiums are civic monuments. As such, does the Big O really have to be a money-maker? That said, I have never been a fan of the fixed roof. I do like some of the ideas being proposed in the article.
  11. internationalx
    Definitely a bit sad. Surprised to learn that RBC sold the building back in the 60's - especially considering how hesitant they were to move up the hill to PVM. Zeckendorf had to really work it to convince them to make the switch. Also, feels like a final chapter - albeit symbolic - in the Royal shedding its Montreal identity. ;( It's all Toronto now. That said, this now becomes the premier venue for events (like Weddings) in Montreal. Beats the Windsor Ballrooms or any hotel. They would be smart to market it as a special event space. Much like Cipriani's in Lower Manhattan... same kinda space.
  12. internationalx
    Furthermore, for me, the AMT has such little credibility. Why this extra layer of bureaucratic meddling is needed is beyond me. We need ONE transit authority for the region. PERIOD. Call is the STGM (Societe Transport Grand Montreal).
  13. internationalx
    The truth is, in terms of the location of Windsor v Central Stations, there is no difference. The problem with the former option is that a useable station doesn't actually exist. It is dependent on a major r/e development proposal that may or may not happen that is subject to a private enterprise's moves. Sure, the gov't could build a station with the air-rights to CF, but what is the cost involved in that, to say nothing of red-tape, bureaucratic bungling that will no doubt be an issue. Getting full funding for the aerotrain in itself is still an issue.... Don't get me wrong, I would love to see Windsor given new life but unfortunately, I don't believe it is a viable option right now.
  14. internationalx
    I kinda like this. It is interesting and unconventional.
  15. internationalx
    Even if this gets built, Hilton may not leave the Bonaventure. And even if it does, another hotel flag will be sought-out by the owners. Bottom line: it will remain the Bonaventure Hotel. It's not going anywhere. That said, it doesn't surprise me that Hilton is looking for a new Montreal property for its namesake/flagship brand. Perhaps they feel that they need a new, modern building and product in order to compete going forward (ie: Westin's new property being a direct competitor; Starwood and Marriott have both been on a bit bullish on the Montreal market). Hilton has been slow to keep up with these aforementioned competitors in both the upper-upscale and the boutique segment and is ramping up its development roster accordingly. Also, Montreal is a growing city and to have 2 Hilton branded hotels is not so out of the ordinary in a metropolitan region of now nearly 4 million people. What I like about this project, besides, the aesthetic and size, is that is will anchor a rapidly re-developing sector:the Quartier Concordia, the renaissance of the Golden Square Mile with the addition of the Sofitel and projects like the Sir George Simpson, and hopefully the Waldorf-Astoria. It is a sector that is being re-invented. This project would go a long way in pushing that re-invention forward. Enough with the parking lots!
  16. internationalx
    While the finishings look cheap... this is exactly the type of large, open retail space that is at a premium on Ste Catherine street. How often do we hear about big name retailers, especially international brands, looking for space on this coveted strip and they can't find any? Has Sephora found a spot yet?
  17. internationalx
    WOW! I agree that, should this be built, it sets precedent and a new scale for the neighborhood; it is more difficult for the OCPM to oppose Le McKay on the grounds that it doesn't "fit".
  18. internationalx
    CSL should take this opportunity and develop a real town center: a proper street grid with that road in the middle as the main commercial/retail. EG: Sherbrooke street in Westmount. Townhouses, much like in the Golden Square Mile/Shaughnessy Village could be built along with the higher density apartment houses.
  19. internationalx
    WOW! If it actually ends up looking like that, I will be impressed. The design makes up for the lack of height. Hopefully this will be an impetus over the next 5-10 years to redevelop the Forum site properly. That eyesore will be problematic if Le Seville comes out looking as elegant and upscale as this rendering. Interesting... the developer is giving the city 650K to help the neighborhood. The developer should be getting something in return, like, for example, the allowance to add more floors. That is common practice in most major cities. And something I know we have discussed here previously.
  20. internationalx
    I know most are cheering for this to go up but personally, I don't. This is such a spectacular piece of land, next to the old financial district with fully entitled zoning for max height. I think this design leaves a lot to be desired but more importantly, looking at the aerial plan, the land-use is messy, clumsy even. Such a massive parcel needs a more intellectual conception: PVM, TD Center/Westmount Square/ Seagram Building even Place Victoria (2 tower plan) are for me, examples of this. Unless of course, the renderings are the problem here. If only one major office project has to go up, I much prefer the Canderel plan for Phillips Square. The sheer size of those floor-plates is impressive.
  21. internationalx
    I don't really think the Esplanade was necessary. There is so little density here. It looks ghostly. Aside from the Addresse Symphonique (which I like) buildings should go there; the police HQ looks lost, floating in the block. The fact that it's not an attractive building makes it even worse. Buildings with street level commerce create street life. How many public open spaces do we need in the QdS? Really?
  22. internationalx
    Love this proposal. Montreal needs to be the site of a Jewish Museum for Canada.
  23. internationalx
    We kinda did get this tower... it's part of the Big O.
  24. internationalx
    I have to echo the above comment: the architecture is looking good! As for the red brick building on the corner of de la Gauchetiere, is it really worth preserving? Sure it's old, but what exactly is the significance to the history of the city or the progression architecture in the city?? Plus, it's not a very good looking brick building either - it looks downtrodden and, I don't think, does anything for the street. I think what is going to replace it makes it worthwhile to bid it farewell. This is Class A business corridor and the Altoria fits here. I think the angle of the rendering makes it look stumpy.
  25. internationalx
    You have to give them credit: this project has moved along at an efficient clip and will perhaps even open on time as projected. And the resto space is leased. In grand Montreal tradition, I thought for sure, they would have demolished Ben's and because of the state of the economy, left a gapping whole in the ground for 5-10 years. That said, the glass curtain on the corner definitely improves the aesthetic. I think the orange panels and the small-ish room windows are what is problematic here. The 2-storey street-level arcade is a nice addition to the streetscape.
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