Niagara Falls Hilton Phase II (53s, 172m, Stanford Downey Architects)

[adma]

I think it is wrong to judge Niagara Falls, particularly that part of Niagara Falls, by "normal" urban standards.

The area is a fantasy land, an adult Wonderland....maybe even the closest thing we have to Las Vegas......garish works for over-the-top/fantasy-based vacationing. This design has nothing to do with urban sensibilities and everything to do with myth/dream selling.

Would it work at any corner in traditional urban setting....absolutely no. Will it work in Niagara Falls.....probably!

At the same time, there's the issue of Niagara Falls *proper*, and everything falling under the Niagara Parks Commission. Unlike Vegas, it isn't just barren desert here, i.e. there's a more legitimate case for this "myth/dream selling"-gone-wild being an grossly unfortunate desecration of the setting....

 

[christiesplits]

At the same time, there's the issue of Niagara Falls *proper*, and everything falling under the Niagara Parks Commission. Unlike Vegas, it isn't just barren desert here, i.e. there's a more legitimate case for this "myth/dream selling"-gone-wild being an grossly unfortunate desecration of the setting....

Agreed, its hard to imagine a 50 story hotel overlooking Victoria Falls or Ayers Rock. It'd kill the atmosphere a wee bit.

 

[TOareaFan]

Agreed, its hard to imagine a 50 story hotel overlooking Victoria Falls or Ayers Rock. It'd kill the atmosphere a wee bit.

But all previous development at Niagara falls into the same category....if you are trying to protect the natural beauty/integrity of the core attraction....that barn door needed to be closed a long, long time ago!

 

[adma]

Then again, there's the matter of the nature, and scale, and taste of such development. Like, Clifton Hill and any-such-motor-inn-out-there may be tasteless, but it's homespun and discreet by comparison. And the Skylon may be tall, but it's excused by its good 60s contemporary aesthetic.

As skyline-dominating features go, the Hilton is to the Skylon what Sarah Palin is to JFK, if you get my drift. (The old United tower in NFNY would be FDR, I suppose.)

 

[urbandreamer]

Sarah Palin and Paris Hilton are both attractive, better looking than any 60's architecture!

 

[Redroom Studios]

a couple crude snapshots taken from Lyons Creek Road and QEW last weekend in early morning... hows that for 'towers in the wilderness' ?

 

[simply Dan]

Canada's most hideous skyline.

 

[adma]

Ah, but back when the Skylon stood mostly serenely alone (maybe with the waft of waterfall mist in the background), it was the sweetest "skyline".

That is, back when a trip to Niagara Falls meant the kind of fun and pleasure that had nothing to do with gambling. With gambling comes despair. And all that newest high-rise flotsam simply screams out "desperation".

 

[wyliepoon]

Aside from Skylon, the nicest looking building in the photo above might be the "phallic" silo.

 

[adma]

Or the barn next to it; or the farmhouse shaded by trees in the foreground, etc...

 

[DaninToronto]

The Embassey Suites Hotel isn't bad. The rest are average.

 

[Build Up]

mmm.... a city of pure concrete

 

[Solaris]

despite some think of this as the Speedstick ... but I think Casino Fallview is a good lookin' building

 

[Ummagumma66]

a couple crude snapshots taken from Lyons Creek Road and QEW last weekend in early morning... hows that for 'towers in the wilderness' ?

holy poop! Niagara has quite the skyline going on, quite the improvement since the last time I was there. I reminds me of Calgary, the buildings are taller than the observation tower! is that 700 footer still a go? I think it was called "Rainbow Tower" to something to that effect?

 

[Solaris]

January 4 2009 update

taken during my stay @ Hilton Niagara Falls Phase 1

Top of P-1 looking towards P-2

P-2 looking pretty much completed

P-1 now looks DINKY

And ... view from the room