MHJ
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MHJ
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columbusmike said:
The unfortunate thing is that allowing poor quality design/architecture like this downtown directly affects surrounding property values, sets a precedent that this type of development is acceptable, and it doesn't differentiate downtown architecture from that of the suburbs - there should be a distinct difference in materials, quality, density, size, etc. If this isn't enforced, the very thing that makes downtown "downtown" is diminished. Appropriate design regulation downtown is needed - not so much that development is extraordinarily burdened, but enough to make sure quality and cohesiveness of the urban setting is maintained.
Cohesiveness to what, though? Should this have resembled the Lazarus building? The adjacent skyscrapers? The nondescript architecture to the east?
Here is the rendering for a new project in one of the 2 or 3 most bustling, developed corridors in Washington, DC, which is a much, much stronger real estate market than downtown Columbus. Do you see how it's.....basically the same as what's going in at Columbus Commons? I understand that people want something "amazing", but really, what matters to people are the amenities and the context, not a bunch of bells and whistles. The apartments at Columbus Commons deliver on amenities and context, and they're appealing aesthetically.
columbusmike
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MHJ said:
What about the quality of the masonry work bothered you?
Sloppy joint work, poor cuts at the elevator sills, blocks out of plumb.
Hopefully the end result will be much better than the renderings that have been released - it's always hard to judge a project with renderings, but what I've seen so far doesn't get my hopes up. It's still going to be a vast improvement/benefit for that area of downtown. I just wish we had better design regulations downtown to ensure some of the toss-up architecture is more refined.
GCrites80s
5xNW
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Maybe they figure no one will see the elevator shaft once it's done.
columbusmike
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^ It's not to say even the best projects have amazing work, but often there is a relationship.
It seems like they've made a lot of progress in the last few weeks. The exterior foundation walls are in and I'm guessing the pours will be coming soon. Will be nice when the exterior sheathing is on to see the huge visual change along High Street.
Stephen43215
Downtown
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I do like how fast this is going up, also the Neighborhood Launch apartments! In a little over a year both projects will add around 600 or more new residents to downtown!
cbustransit
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columbusmike said:
Sloppy joint work, poor cuts at the elevator sills, blocks out of plumb.Hopefully the end result will be much better than the renderings that have been released - it's always hard to judge a project with renderings, but what I've seen so far doesn't get my hopes up. It's still going to be a vast improvement/benefit for that area of downtown. I just wish we had better design regulations downtown to ensure some of the toss-up architecture is more refined.
While I appreciate that this work may be bad, would the design of the building been done by the same company that is building it?
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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Couple more construction photo updates:
From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/construction-roundup-december-2012
Stephen43215
Downtown
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Found this website with floorplans and more info.
http://www.villagegreen.com/columbus/highpoint-on-columbus-commons/
Stephen43215
Downtown
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Just got back from D.C This past weekend, there are alot of new condo and apartment buildings going up around the city similar in size to Highpoint at Columbus Commons. I really wished the design of Highpoint could have been a little more edgy and not so bland...im starting to think the downtown commission wanted something that appealed more to people coming in from the suburbs.
This is a new condo building in Dupont Circle similar in size to HighPoint.
columbusmike
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I like how that project has a traditional streetscape feel (broken into smaller storefront buildings) vs the mega-block design of the HighPoint project.
stephentszuter
Downtown Columbus
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They have a website for their ugly buildings now.
columbusmike
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I'm hoping the artist for those renderings took some artistic liberty and some of the stuff won't be so hideous. For example, in the renderings some of the windows don't line up....so, I'm guessing there was some miscommunication between the architect and rendering team. Maybe the final product won't look AS bad.
columbusmike
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NOTE: If they just get rid of that god awful airplane wing cornice and just do an interesting brick detail, I'd be much happier (and it would save the project quite a bit of money - hint, hint, hint!!) :)
We don't have too look far for an example of a decent brick cornice...that is very similar to the design of this project:
stephentszuter
Downtown Columbus
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I think at this point it's too late to change any of the architecture... They've already come to an agreement and started construction. They're not going to stop if they don't have to... it would cost them work and money to change the architecture...
It looks like we might be stuck with these buildings in the heart of downtown until someone raises enough of a stink about it or offers some sort of a lucrative incentive for them to change the designs.
;(
columbusmike
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stephentszuter said:
I think at this point it's too late to change any of the architecture... They've already come to an agreement and started construction. They're not going to stop if they don't have to... it would cost them work and money to change the architecture...
When the project runs into a hiccup, they'll be looking for ways to cut cost. Eliminating the cornice would be an easy change order to pick up some savings for the owner. The architecture changes all the time in construction...
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