Old Port Square (née Canal Plaza) | Portland

[Portlander]

The new Union Street building appears to have a glass and wood treatment that is very similar to the top of the tower.

 

[stefal]

This took a few hours to grow on me... and now that I've heard the lighthouse comparison, I'm more of a fan. There's something still off about the top - the curves don't resemble New England/Maine much at all. I'd be interested to see iterations of different tops on this. I think it still needs something that establishes a top horizontal datum like this does. It finishes off its dominance on the skyline rather elegantly with it. Otherwise, it would seem unresolved. Some different geometry is all that's needed IMO.

 

[Portlander]

Impressive from this angle!

 

[Portlander]

 

[RandomWalk]

That tower is wearing a straw boater hat.

 

[DanielPWM19]

If they were thinking "Lighthouse" ... they could have gone with a rounded beacon top like 111 Huntington in Boston

 

[TC_zoid]

Thank God the PPH has missed this story. But they will eventually "find" it. Someone post something with the "hat" gone and maybe that will help. East Brown Cow, those on this blog know how fast this city can gang up and ruin something. Be like Redfern. They did not release any images of their hi-rise to present a feel and look of how tall or imposing it would be. But it turned out to fit, quite nicely too. We saw and suffered with the Federated project fail. If the 200 plus comments on the Old Port Instagram page are primarily negative--and not necessarily because the building is much taller than all others--one can assume that a PPH story with its multitudes of cranky old timers will have more. We need this building in Portland. Why? It's time to say goodbye to Portland's and Maine's provincial minded and anti anything different past. It looks like in maybe ten years half the city's population will be non-white, as Boston's is now. This results in change with new ideas and new cultural opportunities. I travel a lot, and stay in medium and larger sized cities for more than a few days, and in my opinion or feeling, Boston is at the top. Austin? Nope. People are leaving--many to San Antonio. Boston is fun and exciting because it has such a diversity and offering in so many ways; old neighborhoods and new ones, grand old architecture and new, educational institutions virtually everywhere, and relatively safe and clean streets to walk along. The city keeps trying to improve on things, like Copley Square Park, perhaps the heart of the city or certainly in Back Bay it is. The views and feel from here with the Hancock reflecting the sky and Trinity Church is perhaps one of the most magnificent city experiences in the world. Portland would have it's own or miniature version with Post Office Park if this building goes up--tweaked. The area in and around Canal Plaza should look new and urban--good job on that so far--though the remainder of the Old Port must retain it's historical look integrity, as the North End in Boston does with its. Boston is hardcore with its revue of new buildings in this neighborhood. When a building is just so old and falling apart, the process for replacement is done with such care. It's the only true themed Italian neighborhood left in America. It still feels like walking in Italy, or to me. But if from there you walk across Rose Kennedy Greenway (its stunning park space), the magnificent new State Street Bank building is in your face. It's dramatic architectural juxtaposition, and it works. Portland got a huge dose of unfair and negative reporting two weeks ago from the NY Times, a feature article on its decline with drug addiction, homelessness, despondency and thus dangerous streets. We need something more uplifting now. With this project done right, the new Roux, the new PMA addition, the soccer team, USM and UNE expansions, the continued activity in the harbor, and Thompson's Point, the city is or can become nationally prominent. I think the Boston-Portland pathway for urban life, sports, recreation, food and drink, and transportation offerings is perhaps the best in the country.

 

[HBostonian]

I love this design and I love the canopy, it feels very Maine to me and I wouldn't change a thing. And even if I did not love this design exactly, it is undeniable that this would put Portland on the map beyond New England in a way it hasn't been in decades. For me, it's better to have a design with some vision and ambition than something designed by committee and focused on the lowest common denominator. Sadly, if people, even on this forum, have a first reaction as harsh and negative as it seems to be then this will probably end up half the proposed height, entirely generic looking, and unremarkable, keeping Portland's skyline entirely boring.

 

[Tom Nevers]

I love this design and I love the canopy, it feels very Maine to me and I wouldn't change a thing. And even if I did not love this design exactly, it is undeniable that this would put Portland on the map beyond New England in a way it hasn't been in decades. For me, it's better to have a design with some vision and ambition than something designed by committee and focused on the lowest common denominator. Sadly, if people, even on this forum, have a first reaction as harsh and negative as it seems to be then this will probably end up half the proposed height, entirely generic looking, and unremarkable, keeping Portland's skyline entirely boring.

I also hope it is constructed as proposed. Not because I love the sun hat but because it’s inoffensive while still being distinctive. Can’t recall seeing something atop a building quite like that.

Also, your lowest common denominator comment reminded me of this-

I can only assume that’s how Mr. Safdie and East Brown Cow are responding to the criticism.

 

[MaineMountains]

Two questions to the group:

1.) Chances this actually gets built as is? (I hope 100%)!

2.) I may have missed this, has this been signed off by the city? In either case, has there been any metion of a timeline to start construction?

 

[Portlander]

With this project done right, the new Roux, the new PMA addition, the soccer team, USM and UNE expansions, the continued activity in the harbor, and Thompson's Point, the city is or can become nationally prominent. I think the Boston-Portland pathway for urban life, sports, recreation, food and drink, and transportation offerings is perhaps the best in the country.

TC, I always enjoy your posts and agree with the opinions most of the time but could you help us all out with a few paragraph breaks which would make them a little easier to read especially for the older generation?

 

[MaineMountains]

Thank God the PPH has missed this story. But they will eventually "find" it. Someone post something with the "hat" gone and maybe that will help. East Brown Cow, those on this blog know how fast this city can gang up and ruin something. Be like Redfern. They did not release any images of their hi-rise to present a feel and look of how tall or imposing it would be. But it turned out to fit, quite nicely too. We saw and suffered with the Federated project fail. If the 200 plus comments on the Old Port Instagram page are primarily negative--and not necessarily because the building is much taller than all others--one can assume that a PPH story with its multitudes of cranky old timers will have more. We need this building in Portland. Why? It's time to say goodbye to Portland's and Maine's provincial minded and anti anything different past. It looks like in maybe ten years half the city's population will be non-white, as Boston's is now. This results in change with new ideas and new cultural opportunities. I travel a lot, and stay in medium and larger sized cities for more than a few days, and in my opinion or feeling, Boston is at the top. Austin? Nope. People are leaving--many to San Antonio. Boston is fun and exciting because it has such a diversity and offering in so many ways; old neighborhoods and new ones, grand old architecture and new, educational institutions virtually everywhere, and relatively safe and clean streets to walk along. The city keeps trying to improve on things, like Copley Square Park, perhaps the heart of the city or certainly in Back Bay it is. The views and feel from here with the Hancock reflecting the sky and Trinity Church is perhaps one of the most magnificent city experiences in the world. Portland would have it's own or miniature version with Post Office Park if this building goes up--tweaked. The area in and around Canal Plaza should look new and urban--good job on that so far--though the remainder of the Old Port must retain it's historical look integrity, as the North End in Boston does with its. Boston is hardcore with its revue of new buildings in this neighborhood. When a building is just so old and falling apart, the process for replacement is done with such care. It's the only true themed Italian neighborhood left in America. It still feels like walking in Italy, or to me. But if from there you walk across Rose Kennedy Greenway (its stunning park space), the magnificent new State Street Bank building is in your face. It's dramatic architectural juxtaposition, and it works. Portland got a huge dose of unfair and negative reporting two weeks ago from the NY Times, a feature article on its decline with drug addiction, homelessness, despondency and thus dangerous streets. We need something more uplifting now. With this project done right, the new Roux, the new PMA addition, the soccer team, USM and UNE expansions, the continued activity in the harbor, and Thompson's Point, the city is or can become nationally prominent. I think the Boston-Portland pathway for urban life, sports, recreation, food and drink, and transportation offerings is perhaps the best in the country.

There is a story about it now - at least online for PPH.

 

[Portlander]

 

[markhb]

I'll be honest, while I don't dislike the idea, the first thing that came to mind when I saw it was the current president's proposal for a development called Television City, which would have been built on the West Side Yards site (now Hudson Yards). It was to include the world's tallest building, and as my brother (who was working in NYC at the time) said, the locals were already calling it "Tr*mp's D*ck".

I admit, rather than being evolutionary, as The Casco is, this is revolutionary.... but so were the Commerce and Chapman Buildings 100 years ago. Having said that, I'd really prefer a more distinctive top on the building, rather than a graduation mortarboard.

 

[Portlander]

1.) Chances this actually gets built as is? (I hope 100%)!

2.) I may have missed this, has this been signed off by the city? In either case, has there been any metion of a timeline to start construction?

1. My gut feeling after talking to Tim Soley and his son Jacob is that this is what they want to build, they are within the new downtown Portland height requirements and I don't think they want to shrink it back down to the original 283' height and 22 floors. I'd still be pleased with 283' over nothing.
2. Yesterday's unveiling was the initial step in the process and as far as the numerous city and state hurdles that need to be cleared they've only just begun. Their web site has 2026-2030 as the timeline for the project start window but that includes more than just the tower.

 

[Portlander]

Original concept at 22 floors and approximately 283 feet. I do remember asking Tim in the very early stages if he would consider eliminating a few floors of height to appease the city and any naysayers and his answer was a firm no and it would not be financially feasible due to the small footprint of the tower. Remember, Portland's height limitations were much lower back in 2018. Credit to Max for locating this diagram several years ago.

 

[DanielPWM19]

1. My gut feeling after talking to Tim Soley and his son Jacob is that this is what they want to build, they are within the new downtown Portland height limitations and I don't think they want to shrink it back down to the original 283' height and 22 floors. I'd still be pleased with 283' over nothing.
2. Yesterday's unveiling was the initial step in the process and as far as the numerous city and state hurdles that need to be cleared they've only just begun. Their web site has 2026-2030 as the timeline for the project start window but that includes more than just the tower.

I think they should build to the highest potential currently allowed rather than shaving off any floors. This will inspire more builders to do the same.

 

[MaineMountains]

1. My gut feeling after talking to Tim Soley and his son Jacob is that this is what they want to build, they are within the new downtown Portland height limitations and I don't think they want to shrink it back down to the original 283' height and 22 floors. I'd still be pleased with 283' over nothing.
2. Yesterday's unveiling was the initial step in the process and as far as the numerous city and state hurdles that need to be cleared they've only just begun. Their web site has 2026-2030 as the timeline for the project start window but that includes more than just the tower.

Glad to hear on #1. #2 scares me a bit, that is a big window, and we all know time can be the enemy of these types of projects in Portland, sadly.

 

[Portlander]

Have faith, many of us on here were skeptical on whether "The Casco" would ever materialize but Redfern's determination and ability to prioritize financial issues and resolve numerous obstacles along the way pulled it off.

 

[DanielPWM19]

Glad to hear on #1. #2 scares me a bit, that is a big window, and we all know time can be the enemy of these types of projects in Portland, sadly.

I'd say the one bonus for #2 is that the Soley's own the land and will want to develop it eventually. If not now (or the economy has a downturn), they'll want to develop it later when it rebounds. Who knows, by then the city height limit might even increase.