Encana trying to make its mark on Calgary skyline

[guzzy]

Things could be worse. Have you seen Edmonton? The whole city looks like it was built 15 years ago by the lowest bidder. I don't remember who I stole that from, but it is classic.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by guzzy

Things could be worse. Have you seen Edmonton? The whole city looks like it was built 15 years ago by the lowest bidder. I don't remember who I stole that from, but it is classic.

Actually, the newest "skyscraper" was built more than 15 years ago.

Not that I wanted to start a compare skyline discussion. I for one am excited to see plans for unique buildings in Calgary. Hiring outside of the usual suspects that create buildings in Calgary hopefully will encourage local firms to be more inventive with their designs.

[oldschoolcalgary]

funny, I was just having drinks with a couple of people who work at Ziedler...the word they gave me was that the design was done and that it was fantastic...

They said a media release was supposed to happen by June 15th, so I am looking forward to seeing what they've done...Of course, it isn't Foster himself designing the building; rather, his senior staff (who are probably partners in the firm anyways).

The hope has always been that one great building would open the floodgates for good design in the City - we finally will get to see if that hypothesis proves to be correct.

[Antithesis]

You mean ... I'm not the only one who loves discussion of skycrapers, their design, and city skylines? Wow ... now I don't feel like such a huge nerd any more ...

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

You mean ... I'm not the only one who loves discussion of skycrapers, their design, and city skylines? Wow ... now I don't feel like such a huge nerd any more ...

hah! hardly - you should register for this forum: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/foru...php?forumid=35

its server is a bit slow unless you're a registered user (free registration), but there are tons of posts on Calgary, and lots of images of future projects on the calgary thread...

I've already ranted quite a bit already there

[Table 5]

There are a few of us who visit both this forum and skyscraperpage. Claeren and myself being two of em....

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Table 5

There are a few of us who visit both this forum and skyscraperpage. Claeren and myself being two of em....

yeah, I was wondering about that, as I saw Claeren's name once or twice - I'll keep a look out for you guys on the skyscraperpage!

[Table 5]

On SP, Im known as CorporateWhore.

[La Flames Fan]

Originally Posted by Barnes

With a little less than two weeks until the renderings being released, I thought I would resurrect this thread as there was some good discussion about the project.

Can't wait to see this. With the court tower nearing completion, plans for the second FCP tower at +/-60 floors (BMO building), Rumours of Imperial waiting for EnCana and maybe planning a monster building of there own, Calgary's skyline may change dramatically.

Checkout this site for all the proposed, approved, and under construction renderings planned for Calgary.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=105776

Wow, Calgary's going to look like an entirely different city from the last time I saw it...Amazing. Everytime I come home, it amazes me how much it changes...

[snappyk]

I can't believe there is that much that is under construction. The plans for the Foothills hostpital are absolutly insane, that place is already big, that expansion they want to do is huge.

[Thunderball]

I tend to frequent Skyscraperpage as well, though I'm not nearly as prolific as Claeren or Table 5/CorporateWhore. I'm really looking forward to seeing EnCana, and if the rumors/rumblings are true, Imperial Oil as well.

[RogerWilco]

Originally Posted by TOfan

few things.

-The work of foster is typically ecological or falls under the 'green architecture' umbrella. if you want an indication of what that might mean take a look at the firms design for commerzbank in frankfurt.

-don't expect a 'dynamic' or wildly 'creative' building type (like Gehry or morphosis) foster's work is recognized a green, sophisticated, and modern building type.

-there's a difference between architectural technologists and architects. I'm not too sure if SAIT is an acredited architectural school. big difference.

If by an acredited architectural school you mean "can you become an Architect after graduating from SAIT" then no it is not. I am a graduate of architectural technologies at SAIT but took a five year master degree at Montana State University to be eligible to enter NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) to enter the minimum 3 year inernship that qualifies you to take the ARE (Architectural Registration Exams). Only after finishing these exams can you become a licenced Architect.

Edit... There are other ways to get to that point, but at this time that is the most recognized way to get licenced in Alberta and the rest of Canada or States in the US.


Aslo to keep this on topic. I think it is great to have a name as big as Foster work on a project here in Calgary. But I would aslo add that, as has been talked about before in this thread, the crap design you see in this city has more to do with the conservative developers in this city. There are alot of talented Architects in this city. It has alot more to do with what the developers want as opposed to what what Architects can do.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Its all about whose paying for the bottom line - that's why its great that Encana are the ones who want a "signature" building...just like the great skyscraper boom in NYC and Chicago, where companies were trying to outdo each other.

If done well, these buildings will become icons (the chrysler building, sears towers, WTC, empire state building, transamerica tower, bilbao...)...heck, even the calgary tower, at the time it was built, was meant to be a statement for this young city...

I am glad to see someone who wants to do something great...i hope it turns out that way...

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by Table 5

On SP, Im known as CorporateWhore.

Wow!! I didn't know that!! Crazy!!

I know from the (few) number of times that skyscrapers and urban development have come up on here that there are a number of members who frequent both though...

With all of the newbies, trolls, and pessimists around here i have actually been enjoying skyscraperpage more then here. I still visit both though and i am sure by next season things will be back in gear here!


Claeren.

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by snappyk

I can't believe there is that much that is under construction.

There is an interesting article in the May Calgary in Business magazine about Aspen properties. In the article is gives some pretty eye opening stats as to why it seems every empty lot is under construction: T
here is 32 million sq feet of commercial office space in the downtown core. Of that 32 million, only 400,000 sq feet is available spread over 70 buildings! There is also a comment about the industry standard vacancy rate being about 5% and if Calgary adds 500,000 sq feet a year for the next ____ years, we'll just barely meet demand. I don't have the article with me or I'd give you direct quotes.

Pretty amazing we have so little empty space in the core and even with everything going up it's not going to make a big difference.

[Superflyer]

Office space is at a premimum in this city. I know the company that I work for desperatly needs more space but we cannot find any. There was one area about a quarter of a floor in our building and we had to have our offer in the same day that it came open to get it. Apparently when we did take it there were about 4 other companies that wanted it as well. And that was within 2 days of it opening up.
Crazy!!!

I also heard that most buildings are already sold out before the groud is even broken on them.

[Bobblehead]

In the building I am in (just outside teh downtown) O&Y sold it to Brookfield, who is markedly raising rents as leases come due. As a result I'd say 1/4 to 1/3 of our building is vacant because the tenants wouldn't pay the higher lease. Rumour has it a couple big chunks of the empty space has been grabbed, but the renos haven't yet begun. I'm guessing my company is happy they got a 10 yr lease 3 years ago (even though at the time they were griping that it was too long).

[oldschoolcalgary]

well, here's an article on the new foster building in NYC

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/05/bu...=1&oref=slogin

and a quick image to whet your appetite...(don't know how long it'll last for)

[Resolute 14]

I saw that building detailed in one of the magazines they publish out of that building. I'll give them credit for creativity, but I find that to be one hell of an ugly building.

[Antithesis]

I think it would actually fit in well in a place like New York where there are so many huge buildings that you need something like this design in order to stand out. It would look awful in Calgary though.