MONTREAL | Waldorf-Astoria | 32 FLOORS

[Rico Rommheim]

Originally Posted by Mamiamato24

Lol Seriously, they built a retirement home in 2007 that looks like it was built in the 70's - 80's. They really have to start to urbanize.

Ah yes, the cyclops building. mtlurb's headquarters. shivers.

[MolsonExport]

^does Malek live in the penthouse below the clock? In the giant window? Sauron-style?

[Dylan Leblanc]

But this is still the current design right?

[Rico Rommheim]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

^does Malek live in the penthouse below the clock? In the giant window? Sauron-style?

Haha perhaps. I always assumed he chose to live down in the parking garages in his SUV, this being as far as his automobile could take him. Taking the elevator up would be considered by him as a form of public transit and that's a no no.

[Rico Rommheim]

Originally Posted by MTLskyline

Neoclassical architecture, Tudor Revival, etc were all imitations of earlier architectural styles, and were all very successful, IMO.

Today the problem seems to be more related to the expense of quality materials and little details than anything else. Copying old styles properly has become cost prohibitive.

One Worldwide Plaza is a pretty good attempt and could actually pass for a 1930s building from a distance.

True, except the old version is not neo-classicism, its just a shoddy attempt it replicating it.

And besides we should draw the line somewhere. neo-classicism did take a lot of heat by purists back in the days, as we all know. And it deserved it, but what ultimately saved it is the use of great materials and innovative designs and use of technologies by great architects and engineers.

This old rendering ranks, in my opinion, as a simulacra, pure and simple.

Montreal must look to the future, instead of feeding off the ash-heap of its faded past.

[Mamiamato24]

Yup. I can't see the one posted beforehand so here's a bigger render:


The one in NY is a lot more impressive, but a nice proposal nonetheless. Hope it isn't dead.

[Chadillaccc]

Is this cancelled?

[MTLskyline]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

Is this cancelled?

Not officially, but I wouldn't be surprised if this project is eventually abandoned. This project was originally announced back in 2008 (and the first render dates from at least around 2000 before it was linked to the Waldorf). The projected opening date has been changed from 2011 to 2013 to 2014 to 2015 and now to 2016.

http://waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/en...ngs/index.html

[MTLskyline]

New render yanked from intro video on NEUF Architectes (formerly DCYSA) website. Thanks to Greg16 for the heads up.


http://www.neufarchitectes.com/

[BIMBAM]

I liked the old design much better, not a fan of this. I don't like what they did with the roof and the entrance appears to be inferior to what was originally conceived.

[chris]

So this project is still alive??

[BIMBAM]

Originally Posted by chris

So this project is still alive??

Sort of. It was never officially cancelled, just delayed for ever and ever until they felt they wanted to do it, and now we've seen a bit of movement with this new design. Let's hope something gets built here, and a Waldorf Astoria would be a really great way to get the neglected western part of downtown moving again.

[isaidso]

It looks so awkward next to that historic block on the corner. This is one case where they either need something ultra modern, or match the historic block down to the last detail and make it look like the whole complex was built 100 years ago: Montreal's own Royal York Hotel.

Historical recreation can be very successful, its all in the execution. If the Germans can rebuild a 200 year old cathedral from scratch, Montreal can do something interesting here as well.

[MTLskyline]

It is looking increasingly likely that this one won't happen. Its scheduled opening date has been pushed to 2020 (yes, you just read that correctly)...

http://waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/en...ngs/index.html

[Rico Rommheim]

Oh well. No real surprise. They missed the boat on this one, the luxury market was much hotter 3 years ago.

This is still one of the vilest empty lots in town, let's hope something else comes quickly.

[MTLskyline]

I don't think that they necessarily need to put a tower on this lot. An attractive low-rise (done using high quality materials - maybe limestone?) to match the Medical Arts building on the corner would be fine by me.

[Rico Rommheim]

I agree, there's no need for a 40 floor tower here (although I certainly wouldn't oppose such a proposal). I usually don't go for the revival of old style, but if done right, I believe a building that looks just like the Classic Sherbrooke apartments like the Linton, The Acadia and the Ritz would be a great addition. Kind of like the Simpson apartment tower, but without the prefab panels. I hate prefab.

Linton

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...-Le_Linton.jpg


Acadia

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...cyKnhbzsEKjbG_

[MTLskyline]

Nothing new to report aside from some updated visuals. Still says this project is for 2020 on Waldorf-Astoria website.









Source: NEUF Architect(e)s http://www.neufarchitectes.com/7-hot...l-Residences/#

[budgebandit]

Crossing my fingers and my toes for this one

[Surrealplaces]

^That's quite a ways off yet, but good to see they haven't cancelled it, and that it's still in their plans.