internationalx

It's a beautiful new building for sure; the backside is a bit dull architecturally but the other sides are super interesting. And despite the lower-than-expected height, it makes a big impact in the skyline (fatty, mc fatty that it is.)

Look at the first pic: they're building the edicule right up to the current roadways leaving absolutely no room for expansion of anything in the future. No breathing room for enlarging the ramp on the upper and the lower roadways. And the pedestrian walkway(s) stays at ramp level when it should cross above the drop-off / kiss & fly. Once again, the short-sightedness is astounding. I get that the plans have changed and things are now scaled back but the ramp and roadway landslide is too narrow totally Mickey Mouse. Look at the first pic: they're building the edicule right up to the current roadways leaving absolutely no room for expansion of anything in the future. No breathing room for enlarging the ramp on the upper and the lower roadways. And the pedestrian walkway(s) stays at ramp level when it should cross above the drop-off / kiss & fly. Once again, the short-sightedness is astounding. I get that the plans have changed and things are now scaled back but the ramp and roadway landslide is too narrow totally Mickey Mouse.

That is beautiful base. I recall seeing it in person in the fall and my reaction was "wow."

Which is kind of hilarious because residential towers above 20 stories are a pretty new thing in Montreal and downtown especially. What, 15 years ago? You'd think towers have been going up for 50 years by that comment. And while density and towers are not mutually exclusive, downtown Montreal isn't huge in terms of geography; it's pretty tight so if the city is going to grow for the next 100 years (for argument sake) it's going to have to go up. And there are areas far away enough from Mont Royal that also have little or no historic built environment - basically former light-industrial or no man's lands previously bulldozed - that going taller than 20 resi-stories is a no-brainer. IMHO Plante and PM are the worst group to be in charge of drawing-up a new master plan for the next 20 years.

I too agree that a tower here is ridiculous but I don't agree the hysterics of height on a wholesale level exhibited in this article. Shame in. Heritage Montreal for that too: it's not that everything it too tall and la folie des hauteurs must stop (LOL) it's simply too much density allowed in too few areas hence the concentration here. Heights are too restricted as counterintuitive as that might sound.

I don't know that I would call that building luxurious. lol. It's an eyesore IMHO. I was told initially it was supposed to only be 8 or 10 floors (hence the Trans-Canada industrial corridor look) but AC suggested they stretch it to its current height and the city approved it. Anyways, I believe the CEO of AC at the time Harris Hollis was doing some cost-cutting and thought it was more appropriate and cheaper to be near the airport.

Livemore phase II is very much needed to beef up the space between Maestria and Sq Phillips.

I've always like the look of this "twins" with their late 70's Futurism. NYC got Citicorp and we got Complexe Maisonneuve. Anyways... they really won't look like twins at all anymore.

OMG.

I could stare at that first shot all day! Wow.

This is such an elegant design. Looking forward to seeing this completed.

Remind me: Did the Classy building owners not want to sell? Did Brivia even try to buy it?

LOL. That is totally the undercurrent sentiment. IMHO, I would have much preferred the old Shriner's Hospital on Mont Royal be a hotel open to the public. How it was socially acceptable that it be sold to the Chinese gov't - a communist autocracy - to create a securitized fortress, is still beyond me. Do people really think they are going to let anyone walk the grounds anywhere near their new consulate? Ha ha.

I don't know why there is such a knee-jerk, anti-hotel mentality. A hotel is better than condos by FAR. Hotels have public spaces, cafes, restos, and rooms can be rented by many (not all hotel rooms are $800/night). You could give a CUP that make sure there is a lot of public access.

Looking forward to the lighting scheme of this - especially the crown.

It would have been nice to eclipse the Louis Boheme by a floor or two - nothing crazy. But overall this is a winner.

Also, at the ramp entrance to the highway and directly below train tracks... should be a min of 20 stories here. Makes no sense at all! Are they worried about casting a shadow onto transportation infrastructure. Oh, and the lot across the street (over the train station) is a 120+ zone.

Honestly, I've seen this up close and it's pretty great-looking; the quality is excellent (esp. the smaller pavilion at de Bleury). Whatever "world class" means, I'm fairly confident that this would look right at home in many a world city, heck, Alpha cities even. This is a sexy-looking complex. The black color, the rhythm of the window and and loggias... it's by far one the best one this last boom.

Well, whatever the use, the proposed design and changes look phenomenal. Finally someone using casement-style windows that reflect Montreal's industrial past. Would have liked to see Griffintown with some of this.

Honestly, I like what I see.

It's a neo-Brutalist design. The big test is the tower: those panels are the ones I'm waiting for. So far, it looks as rendered. I don't mind a pre-fab tower (done right) as all the glass does get boring too. Canvar has done good work: the Holiday Inn is a successful one. Le Duke is pretty good.

Altitude looks great from this side (facade); it's really a shame that the facade on full view from Square Phillips, Ste Catherine - basically, the most viewable, on-display side - is such a failure especially with that aluminum-covered service column.

Boom. That is a gorgeous shot.

Not much development potential for the McDo anymore. That ship sailed. The tiny, oddly-shaped lot is surrounded by Solstice and Centra. Nothing worthwhile can be built there even if on paper the zone is 120+ with an FAR 12.

The tower makes 555 R-L actually look good. Enhances its presence notably IMHO. Of the 3 buildings lining the boulevard here, it is the best quality.