The Yates is sold-out!

Man, I was so excited about the design of this building when it was first revealed. It reminded me of the terraced designs of art deco buildings. Sadly, the finished product of both towers is really aesthetically disappointing. First, the aligned stone cladding at its base it not a good look, and all the slight alignment flaws are only accentuated by the choice of stone, which is extremely porous and shows moisture absorption almost constantly. Then, going up the tower, the yellow-cream brick they chose clashes both with the gray stone, and the white panelling above, bringing out too much of the yellow hue, and making it stand out in an ugly way. Finally, the smaller windows on the upper floors make the building look squeezed and prison-like, and it doesn't help that it's topped with the most dull, textureless gray cladding possible.

Ultimately this building, to me, is both dull and exremely clashy/busy at the same time.

Yes, it is a new low for a city that prides itself with some of the nicest architecture in Western Canada: namely the Empress & Legislative Building.

therbuns, on 13 Mar 2021 - 8:37 PM, said:Click here to view image.

Man, I was so excited about the design of this building when it was first revealed. It reminded me of the terraced designs of art deco buildings. Sadly, the finished product of both towers is really aesthetically disappointing. First, the aligned stone cladding at its base it not a good look, and all the slight alignment flaws are only accentuated by the choice of stone, which is extremely porous and shows moisture absorption almost constantly. Then, going up the tower, the yellow-cream brick they chose clashes both with the gray stone, and the white panelling above, bringing out too much of the yellow hue, and making it stand out in an ugly way. Finally, the smaller windows on the upper floors make the building look squeezed and prison-like, and it doesn't help that it's topped with the most dull, textureless gray cladding possible.

Ultimately this building, to me, is both dull and exremely clashy/busy at the same time.

Yes, it is a new low for a city that prides itself with some of the nicest architecture in Western Canada: namely the Empress & Legislative Building.

Chard has formally requested a relaxation of the mid-block walkway SRW. Sounds like they want the ability to restrict access via security gates until the City is able to secure a legal right-of-way on the neighbouring property (836 Yates) as originally intended.

Letter from Chard here: https://tender.victoria.ca/webapps/ourcity/Prospero/FileDownload.aspx?fileId=4977A8FE-5833-4DCB-8773-9B544BFFD295&folderId=44220C210721155234030057