So we like density as long as it is designed to our tastes? I have heard it all. Too big, too tall, not enough parking, casts too much shade, dont like the set backs, don't like the facade too expensive, too plain too....?

Density & Diversity is key to any community (as long as its not mine)

Who exactly is the "we" in that statement? I live on the Gorge - IDGAF about BM: they can build single story or 100 story buildings until the end of time for all I care personally. I simply passed along the thoughts of some folks who have to live across the street from this particular condo. Period. End sentence.

As it happens I agree with the rest of your comments - we have in fact 'heard it all' in Victoria about a variety of built forms over the years, some of it valid, some of it utter malarkey - but that does not mean the opinions of those now forced to watch "Bill and Alice" swilling their coffee on their 7th floor sundeck where there once was a spectacular view, aren't worthwhile or aren't at least as valid as those of someone championing 'big 'n tall' buildings sprouting everywhere and anywhere.....

Who exactly is the "we" in that statement? I live on the Gorge - IDGAF about BM: they can build single story or 100 story buildings until the end of time for all I care personally. I simply passed along the thoughts of some folks who have to live across the street from this particular condo. Period. End sentence.

As it happens I agree with the rest of your comments - we have in fact 'heard it all' in Victoria about a variety of built forms over the years, some of it valid, some of it utter malarkey - but that does not mean the opinions of those now forced to watch "Bill and Alice" swilling their coffee on their 7th floor sundeck where there once was a spectacular view, aren't worthwhile or aren't at least as valid as those of someone championing 'big 'n tall' buildings sprouting everywhere and anywhere.....

Agreed in part.

I am just tired of the constant complaining of the general public any time something is built. It is always wrong in someway to someone. If one traces this building origins back to the original BM plan there was always a massive building planned for that site.. The original building halted construction at the podium level and it sat derelict for 10 years +/-. The current building is a VAST improvement over the derelict remains of the original. Anyone who bought a home next to this site is probably very happy that the ruins are gone.

But what do I know, I'm just an optimistically pragmatic person.

I know a few people in the condo directly across the street from this 21st century version of the Watergate building and none of them are remotely happy with this beauty plunked across the roundabout from them. Their view went from WOW to zip, zero, nothing.

BM zoning IMO is....well, odd: you can't tell from the picture above but exclusively SFH is shoehorned right up to the property line of this tower, ending just out of frame about 15 meters to the right of that Mercedes, as well as on the other side of this development. It would be like plunking down a fifteen storey tower on Garnet Rd in Gordon Head, amidst a sea of SFH's....

To be fair something was always going to be built there, and just to the left of the building is another condo building, not as big to be sure, but a multi-storey condo nonetheless. If you drive down the Olympic corridor towards Westhills there is a rather expensive subdivision with some nice views to the south. However, there is going to be a 20-storey condo built right in front of the first two houses. You want a cheaper price on your lot, you take your chances.

To be fair something was always going to be built there, and just to the left of the building is another condo building, not as big to be sure, but a multi-storey condo nonetheless. If you drive down the Olympic corridor towards Westhills there is a rather expensive subdivision with some nice views to the south. However, there is going to be a 20-storey condo built right in front of the first two houses. You want a cheaper price on your lot, you take your chances.

The issue wasn't/isn't the height for the folks across the street from this condo which reminds me very much of the Watergate Building, lol - the issue is the width of the thing; for whatever reason this area just loves its fat scapers which are for the most part hideous. There is a reason projects like the Jack Davis building don't win any architectural awards. Tall and slim I personally have no issue with generally speaking. Squat and fat? Ugh. I do not understand the appeal of that building style. But as I said above it has zero bearing on us as we'll never see either tall or (thankfully) especially fat in our neighborhood in my lifetime or beyond in all likelihood.

I understand the appeal from an efficiency point of view. It doesn't have appeal from an aesthetic view though.