What architecture style should come next?

[snoogit]

we are seeing a lot of new all-glass structures being built in GR over the next couple years, what other styels should emerge?

I was researching about the architect for the new riverhouse, and saw this design on their website.

I personally loved it, and would love to see a similar structure in Grand Rapids. I think it would fit in perfectly. but to be honest, its not a structure you base an entire city off of. Its got great charm, but its not a signature piece. Although there really isnt one IMO in Grand Rapids yet. Its just waiting for that 40+ story tower to emerge.

Post Modern with an influence from art0deco would be a nice building

[metrogrkid]

we are seeing a lot of new all-glass structures being built in GR over the next couple years, what other styels should emerge?

I was researching about the architect for the new riverhouse, and saw this design on their website.

I personally loved it, and would love to see a similar structure in Grand Rapids. I think it would fit in perfectly. but to be honest, its not a structure you base an entire city off of. Its got great charm, but its not a signature piece. Although there really isnt one IMO in Grand Rapids yet. Its just waiting for that 40+ story tower to emerge.

Post Modern with an influence from art0deco would be a nice building

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Good call, Snoog! That style would be ideal for the Metro Center project and anywhere else downtown that is kind of "historic-heavy" (i.e. - would allow for the introduction of high-rises into traditionally low-rise/late 19th Century-/early 20th Century downtown districts such as Heartside, North Downtown and the Monroe Center corridor). Go'on wit' cha bad self, Snoog!

[snoogit]

Good call, Snoog!    That style would be ideal for the Metro Center project and anywhere else downtown that is kind of "historic-heavy" (i.e. - would allow for the introduction of high-rises into traditionally low-rise/late 19th Century-/early 20th Century downtown districts such as Heartside, North Downtown and the Monroe Center corridor.  Go'on wit' cha bad self, Snoog! 

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are there still empty lots on S Division? I remember two of them when I used to take Division to franklin street to get to work I think they were in the heartside district as well

[metrogrkid]

are there still empty lots on S Division? I remember two of them when I used to take Division to franklin street to get to work I think they were in the heartside district as well

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Shoot a direct email over to "Joe Downtown". He's always good for a question like that.

[GRCentro]

Lucien Lagrange does great work and they have really mastered a modern beaux-arts style. Two other buildings of theirs that I really like are the Park Tower and The Pinnacle.

I think many other Postmodern styles would look great in GR too, like The Carnegie Hall Tower. I also really like how the river is becoming lined with glass. It works well with the water and isn't necessarily obnoxious to the existing historical architecture. For example, Trump International Hotel and The Heritage building.

I'd expect 'Medical Mile' to continue with more modern, clean-cut towers. Elsewhere in downtown, anything 'ultra-modern' be probably be at a smaller scale (i.e. the VanAndel Institute and the New Art Museum.) And I doubt anything futuristic will pop up soon. GR definitely isn't going to rival Hong Kong, Shanghai, or Dubai on that one!

All in all, we've got some good stuff coming!

[Aaron]

I don't think I'm alone when I say we need more neo-gothic and art-deco structures.

Ah, who am I kidding? The sterile glass box will never die.

[LA Dave]

I don't think I'm alone when I say we need more neo-gothic and art-deco structures.

Ah, who am I kidding? The sterile glass box will never die.

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Mies must be rolling in his grave. That structure can't be too far from his Lake Shore Drive apartments.

[joeDowntown]

are there still empty lots on S Division? I remember two of them when I used to take Division to franklin street to get to work I think they were in the heartside district as well

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There are a few. Most visible is Cherry and Division across from the new Mural. A pretty substantial tire fire obliterated the building on the lot back in the early 90's. I would occasionally park there and watch them paint the mural that has gone up on the old Reptile House building. I think that is the most significant empty lot. There is another empty lot that is being turned into the Vern Berry building (not the official name, I can't remember), and there is also a surface lot between the old Alma Latina and Rumors Nigthclub.

That is what I can think of North of Wealthy. Even empty lots south of Wealthy are few and far between these days.

Joe

[joeDowntown]

I like the Heritage building. While I love glass structures, I like buildings that honor the past while pushing design forward. I hope that after River House and the Marriott are completed, we get something tall with a traditional spire. Every city needs a spire!

Lucien Lagrange does great work and they have really mastered a modern beaux-arts style.  Two other buildings of theirs that I really like are the Park Tower and The Pinnacle.

I think many other Postmodern styles would look great in GR too, like The Carnegie Hall Tower.  I also really like how the river is becoming lined with glass.  It works well with the water and isn't necessarily obnoxious to the existing historical architecture.  For example, Trump International Hotel and The Heritage building.

I'd expect 'Medical Mile' to continue with more modern, clean-cut towers.  Elsewhere in downtown, anything 'ultra-modern' be probably be at a smaller scale (i.e. the VanAndel Institute and the New Art Museum.)  And I doubt anything futuristic will pop up soon.  GR definitely isn't going to rival Hong Kong, Shanghai, or Dubai on that one!   

All in all, we've got some good stuff coming!

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[GRDadof3]

My brother and his wife have a reservation to get into the MoMo Tower in Chicago, http://buildingmomo.com/:

They currently live in a condo in one of Lucien Lagranges towers pictured here in the River North area at 500 W Erie.

He works for a large architecture firm in Chicago named Gensler, and tells me that there is some buzz among his architect friends (at other firms) about a couple of un-named high-rises being proposed for GR, but says they are bound not to disclose where/who (none of which are any of the projects being discussed here). It is killing me! He told me that Madison, Wisconsin also has a lot of projects in the works, and I hear is quite nice. A lot of developers in Chicago are looking to get into other nearby markets, because the cost of land in the Chicago area is unbearable.

The MoMo building is quite an innovation in design. The architects/developers left off the bottom residential floors because they aren't as desireable, while meeting the city's requirements for density/height for this section of Chicago (near the theater district). I like the style of both of these.

[GRDadof3]

Sorry, bad link. http://buildingmomo.com/

[joeDowntown]

Ok, you need to hold his feet to the fire!! You are killing me now.

Those buildings look great. I would love to see an innovative design like that in GR.

Joe

He works for a large architecture firm in Chicago named Gensler, and tells me that there is some buzz among his architect friends (at other firms) about a couple of un-named high-rises being proposed for GR, but says they are bound not to disclose where/who (none of which are any of the projects being discussed here).  It is killing me!  He told me that Madison, Wisconsin also has a lot of projects in the works, and I hear is quite nice.  A lot of developers in Chicago are looking to get into other nearby markets, because the cost of land in the Chicago area is unbearable.

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[GRDadof3]

Apparently they are professionally bound not to disclose future projects, similar to attorney/client privileges. I can understand the reasoning, because it could kill a project if the wrong people found out about it, and they could be subject to some serious lawsuits. These are also PROPOSED projects. They were all joking because they all moved to Chicago and are working on high-rises in these small cities (big city snobbery)

[metrogrkid]

My brother and his wife have a reservation to get into the MoMo Tower in Chicago, http://buildingmomo.com/:

They currently live in a condo in one of Lucien Lagranges towers pictured here in the River North area at 500 W Erie.

He works for a large architecture firm in Chicago named Gensler, and tells me that there is some buzz among his architect friends (at other firms) about a couple of un-named high-rises being proposed for GR, but says they are bound not to disclose where/who (none of which are any of the projects being discussed here).  It is killing me!  He told me that Madison, Wisconsin also has a lot of projects in the works, and I hear is quite nice.  A lot of developers in Chicago are looking to get into other nearby markets, because the cost of land in the Chicago area is unbearable.

The MoMo building is quite an innovation in design.  The architects/developers left off the bottom residential floors because they aren't as desireable, while meeting the city's requirements for density/height for this section of Chicago (near the theater district).  I like the style of both of these.

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Dad:

Would it be prudent for this group to receive the plans that the Metro Center Steering Committee is forumalting?

[GRDadof3]

Probably not prudent right now, but I will continue to prod him for more insights. His group is just a bunch of drinking buddies who all got their architecture degrees from University of Detroit together, who work in various firms in Chicago. They are not at the "Donald Trump, Jack Buchanan, Sam Cummings, Robert Grooters" level by any means. What you need is a good connection to a developer or group of investors/venture capitalists, if you don't have one already. Try an ad in the Chicago Tribune, like the City of GR did for the City Centre Ramp. Keep in mind that RSC & Associates is from Chicago, the Midtown Village developer is from Chicago, and I'm sure there are others poking around GR just looking for some local insight/connections and to get better returns than the stock market.

[snoogit]

Dad:

Would it be prudent for this group to receive the plans that the Metro Center Steering Committee is forumalting?

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I know they are working on the riverhouse project. but it sounds like they are in on something else too.

[GRDadof3]

More architectural eye candy coming at ya!

http://www.mclcompanies.com/live/index.html

http://www.pappageorgehaymes.com/living.html (wait until it fully loads and toggle/click on the numbers)

http://www.thrushrealestate.com/html/index.htm

Aaaahhh. Some of those Townhouses are fantastic!

[daniel nudnik]

what a gorgeous assortment. such bold, inviting-looking buildings!

More architectural eye candy coming at ya!

http://www.mclcompanies.com/live/index.html

http://www.pappageorgehaymes.com/living.html

[Rizzo]

"He works for a large architecture firm in Chicago named Gensler, and tells me that there is some buzz among his architect friends (at other firms) about a couple of un-named high-rises being proposed for GR, but says they are bound not to disclose where/who (none of which are any of the projects being discussed here). It is killing me! He told me that Madison, Wisconsin also has a lot of projects in the works, and I hear is quite nice. A lot of developers in Chicago are looking to get into other nearby markets, because the cost of land in the Chicago area is unbearable."

Interesting to know... But still proposals without funding...

[snoogit]

Interesting to know... But still proposals without funding...

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As far as we know...

[coolbrezze]

Seems like the new architecture style have recently been very high-tech/ creative. Although I'm surprise our neighbors ( Canada) have not influence many of Michigan cities in a way where it's very noticeable ( this could be due to early years of the auto-industry)

Example ( of cities influence maybe a little by Canada): Seattle, and Portland.

(What brought me to this conclusion? Looking at Vancouver, and other Canadian cities... then looking at Seattle and Portland and other USA cities.)