maestro
Senior Member
ummm ... the Hudson is one of the better project to go up and there is nothing 'fake' about the brick
like broken windows and chipped paint?
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Corktown District (King & Sumach, Streetcar, to 6s, Quadrangle)
ummm ... the Hudson is one of the better project to go up and there is nothing 'fake' about the brick
like broken windows and chipped paint?
blackpool
New Member
Hey, thanks for the defence. I'd just like to say I'm a pretty big fan of these forums - been browsing them for a while now. Sorry if the review came across a little harsh - but it was honest, and I pointed out specifically what was wrong with it as opposed to just insulting it.
I can assure you that this isn't going to happen all the time, as the majority of buildings being built in TO aren't this bad - other flunks would incude "the star of downtown" (self expalanitory I think) and of course the ridiculous Seventy 5 Yoo. (get into that in another thread) Zed lofts ended up looking like a prison, don't know how that happened, the renderings looked nice, I think it's a travesty what's happening in Liberty village - and oh yes, the Electra lofts are a pretty big eye soar.
But beyond that - lots of great stuff - big fan of 66 Portland, although I haven't seen the suits but I would kill for a Penthouse in that building, lots of great conversions: Candy, Toy Factory, Brewery, Tip Top. Looking forward to visiting the M5V sales center! But I'm blabbing now.
Again, sorry, I will cut out the swearing from now on, in hindsight it wasn't necessary - and I will also make an effort to add some "balance" to negative reviews.
If it's any consolation - the suites at Corktown are pretty descent, and bring some interesting and different layouts to the smaller suits (500-800sf) which is a bit of fresh air. It's really a damn shame they are blowing it with what is largely cosmetic problems.
blackpool
New Member
I would disagree with this. If there is a positive about the Hudson, it's the fact that it is not a true eye soar, and kind of "disappears" in to the background. That is unless, you are driving East, and have the sun glaring into your eyes from the reflection in the windows. In terms of the brick - it is fake, it's just cement molding which looks like brick.
Another thing that I think detracts from the building are the 2 midrises to the North and East of the main tower which is a nice structure, but now looks more like a community center more than a condo IMHO.
If you think all there is to warehouses is broken windows and chipped paint, then I'm afraid there is not much point in arguing with you on this point.
There is always a randomness to warehouses, the result of building on and hacking off over decades. They are also designed for practicality, as opposed to just "looking cool" which I find always results in better architecture. That's what's so great about them. There is nothing pretentious about them.
Clearly, Corktown WANTS to look like warehouses and that's really the main problem - they reek of all the typical warehouse clichés but lack all the fundamentals. Not only is there no variation in the building themselves - but there is hardly any variation between the 3 buildings! I'm sorry, but if your going to be cheap about your development, then stay away from styles of architecture which take quite a bit more money to pull off. mark my words, this project risks looking like subsidized housing when all is said and done.
Archivist
Senior Member
Redeemed
Hey, no problem. Your post did give me that "ding ding ding" feeling on first reading it. (You know, "ding ding ding went the Troll-ey"). But you're right, there is no problem with being critical, though I certainly disagree with what you've said. Welcome to the forum and I hope you enjoy your stay here.
Hey, no problem. Your post did give me that "ding ding ding" feeling on first reading it. (You know, "ding ding ding went the Troll-ey"). But you're right, there is no problem with being critical, though I certainly disagree with what you've said. Welcome to the forum and I hope you enjoy your stay here.
Sir Novelty Fashion
Senior Member
Nothing wrong for getting your hate-on for architecture that tweaks you the wrong way, though I don't find anything too exeptionable in this instance.
(But forgive me: it's eye *sore*, as in "festering boil," as in "Star of Downtown." An "eye soar" would be something entirely different, though I don't know what. Probably nothing that would end well.)
(But forgive me: it's eye *sore*, as in "festering boil," as in "Star of Downtown." An "eye soar" would be something entirely different, though I don't know what. Probably nothing that would end well.)
syn
Senior Member
I'm quite sure that's real brick used at the Hudson. I've seen it up close and it doesn't look at all artificial...and I've seen the same yellow brick on-site.
I think these new proposed buildings are fine actually. We don't know what the materials will be like and the designs are fitting for the area.
Given the quality of some recent subsidized housing proposals, I don't think looking like subsidized housing is a problem.
blackpool
New Member
Noted - seems we all have our pet peeves!
Jayomatic
Active Member
I can guarantee hudson is brick. I watched them put the brick up myself.
I have no problems with these kind of buildings. People like loft living. Is it illegal to produce buildings that are part of that loft look? So maybe we should outlaw bricks because people might accuse them of trying to rip off a loft look
I have no problems with these kind of buildings. People like loft living. Is it illegal to produce buildings that are part of that loft look? So maybe we should outlaw bricks because people might accuse them of trying to rip off a loft look
maestro
Senior Member
likewise for the city's core hospitals
but you prevously implied warehouse design is more about necessity/function than design so then what exactly makes it so difficult to pull off. And There are numerous of warehouse complexes in the city where design is copied throughout the various buildings.
I've only see the base of hudson up close and the brick appears to be a high quality with a limestone or perhaps even clay base
CDL.TO
Moderator
I'm so confused...
Jayomatic
Active Member
yeah. I think i was smoking crack when i wrote that. Sorry. It IS brick. I was surprised how quickly they got it all up.
blackpool
New Member
Where exactly did you see them laying brick? Because at the top you can clearly see the seems. So it's either molding, or the worst brick laying job I've ever seen. If you look at the building on the East side, you can actually see "buckling" from sloppy installation. That's the main risk when brick is simply used as a facade. Since it has nothing to do with structural integrity, it's just slapped on.
You should see the brick laying job they did on the new townhomes at King and Duffering - the cement between the bricks is a good 1 inch thick! Ouch!
blackpool
New Member
I'm a little confused, in your first sentence, you mention how the building techniques in warehouses DOES NOT work (ie hospitals), and in the second sentence, you ask why the warehouse look is so hard to pull off?
Sure, lots of warehouse "inspired" condos - nothing wrong with that, but when you rely on almost every cliché in the book it just looks ridiculous. I mean, where does it end? Why not put a chimney on it? Why not paint "Sam's Precision Machinery Ltd." on the front of it? And beyond that, it's just made of squares - everything is a square! It's like they when out of their way to break every design rule in the book. A perfect storm of bad design, and cliché ideas.
mysteryman
Active Member
I saw them laying the brick too, there's no question about it. The seams you mention are expansion joints, which are required on all masonry construction to prevent cracks (because the exterior surfaces can move more than the interior concrete stcuture, usually due to climate conditions etc.)
And for the record, brick is never load bearing in exterior construction in the last 40 or so years -- it's just a veneer, securely fastened to a concrete block wall directly behind it. There's even an air space directly behind the brick, but it is real brick, about 3.5" thick.
And for the record, brick is never load bearing in exterior construction in the last 40 or so years -- it's just a veneer, securely fastened to a concrete block wall directly behind it. There's even an air space directly behind the brick, but it is real brick, about 3.5" thick.
maestro
Senior Member
did I really say it doesn't work for hospitals eventhough you maybe correct in assuming I don't exactly care for the asethetics of a St Mike's or Toronto Western
I find it strange that Toy Factory Lofts is then acceptable to you. Is a prerequisite to you liking a project being not 100% new?
the seems are primarily for drainage as brick is quite porous