Quay West at Tip Top, developed by the Monarch Group, and designed by architectsAlliance, is a lesson in how deceptive artist and/or computer renderings can be in depicting future buildings as built. Most often, reality doesn't measure up to the renders. In this case, the renderings don't measure up to reality. Simply put, Quay West is outstanding; a sleeper hit that silences critics long concerned about yet another middling condo project popping up on the waterfront, this time squeezed behind critically-acclaimed Tip Top Loft.

South elevation of Quay West Condo. Image courtesy of Craig White

Courtyard of Quay West Condo. Image courtesy of Craig White

Fresh and breezy and vaguely nautical, Quay West fits into its site seamlessly. Contextual massing and materials make Quay West a perfect complement to the Tip Top building, also by aA, and originally by Bishop and Miller Architects, of course. Fit and finish are exemplary as well, with top-quality precast, window wall, and terracotta-like paneling at the base. Quay West gets the details right too. Mundane air intakes, for example, never looked so good.

Detail of air intake grill. Image courtesy of Craig White

Quay West at Tip Top proves that there's always room for well-conceived, well-executed, and beautiful buildings, even on the crowded waterfront. And even when the renderings say otherwise.

Blue sky as seen from the courtyard of Quay West. Image courtesy of Craig White.

Tower component of Quay West project. Image courtesy of Craig White

Eastern elevation of Quay West. Image courtesy of Craig White

Quay West project as seen from the southwest. Image courtesy of Craig White

The rendering: not as good as the real thing.

Rendering of Quay West. Design by architectsAlliance

Related Companies:  architects—Alliance, Mattamy Homes, Quest Window Systems, U31