Quote:
Originally Posted by Chadillaccc
I don't agree. In lots of cities you see residential/mixed use buildings in the middle of the commercial district. Look at The Austonian in Austin, Trump in Toronto, Shangri La in Vancouver, Telus Sky in Calgary, L'Avenue in Montreal, and many others examples. For instance, the Austonian is by far the tallest building in Austin, and is 100% residential right in the heart of the CBD.
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In Vancouver, Downtown (between W. Georgia - Hastings and Bute-Cambie >~40 city blocks) is almost exclusively commercial with many condos around the periphery, Shangri-la is on the edge of the West End.
Toronto has its Financial District (from Front-Dundas and Church-University >~45 city blocks) which is almost exclusively office towers and hotels - and Trump tower is mostly hotel from what I can tell.
Calgary commercial district (North of 9 Ave and between 1st St-7th St >~45 city blocks) again is almost exclusively office and hotel with sparse residential mixed in until you get around the periphery where Telus Sky tower is being built.
Montreal Downtown (between Notre-Dame and Sherbrooke, Bleury and de la Montagne >~65 blocks) hardly any residential until you get to the periphery where L'Avenue is going up.
So while mixed use towers are being built centrally, not many are primarily residential and the ones that are usually are closer in proximity to other high density residential areas. I'm not saying bucking the trend, like the awesome example in Austin TX, isn't a good idea - it is just not that common for residential towers to be islands in a sea of offices.
While I can't speak for everyone, If I were to be in the market for downtown living I'd prefer to be a couple blocks to the NW (closer to meewasin valley and Kinsmen park) or many block to the SW (closer to the farmers market and river landing).