Old Port Square (née Canal Plaza) | Portland

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View from the top!
 
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Thanks for posting the pics Jim, and sorry I missed the event. Looks like they've got most of the pics up on their website now: https://www.oldportsquare.com/vision

I love the skinny tower, however the "top hat" style adornment doesn't appeal to me at first glance. I'd rather it just dissolve into the night sky with some cool lighting around the top. Maybe it could grow on me but initially I don't love it.
 
All of the Canal addresses will now be Middle Street. Canal will be no longer but there may be a marker to pay tribute to the history of the former bank and plaza along with potential recognition to Plum Street. Jacob is onboard with the historical importance. (y)

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It looks straight out of the 60's, kind of like Portland's version of the Pru mixed with the old Section 8 style of residential. I love the ambition but honestly think the building looks pretty terrible. So... congratulations, I guess?

Sorry, other than the 380' height and apparent observation deck I can't help but hate everything else about this design. Maybe it would be less bad if it was like the 50th tallest building and blended into the crowd, but jeez, as a dominant tallest building, yikes..... It kind of reminds me of the Trans National Place supertall proposal for Boston about 15 years back, which I also thought was awful.

Keep the height, keep the observation deck, and go back to the drawing board with every other aspect of this tower.

Sorry again for being a wet blanket. If you Portlanders like it I guess that's all that matters. Hopefully other towers join and obscure it ASAP.
 
DZH22 said:
It looks straight out of the 60's, kind of like Portland's version of the Pru mixed with the old Section 8 style of residential. I love the ambition but honestly think the building looks pretty terrible. So... congratulations, I guess?

Sorry, other than the 380' height and apparent observation deck I can't help but hate everything else about this design. Maybe it would be less bad if it was like the 50th tallest building and blended into the crowd, but jeez, as a dominant tallest building, yikes..... It kind of reminds me of the Trans National Place supertall proposal for Boston about 15 years back, which I also thought was awful.

Keep the height, keep the observation deck, and go back to the drawing board with every other aspect of this tower.

Sorry again for being a wet blanket. If you Portlanders like it I guess that's all that matters. Hopefully other towers join and obscure it ASAP.
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I can sort of understand this.

I think it's an attempt to match the top of the other Canal buildings?

I do personally LIKE the design ... though I suppose something more of a pinnacle, spire, or even a light house (like the supposed inspiration) would be nice.

It is giving "Pizza Hut" vibes. I guess we'll see what shakes out?
 

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They will have to change the crown and maybe lop off a few floors. It does look a bit funny sitting there like that. The comments on social media now (140 so far on the Old Port IG page and these people are younger) are mostly negative. When the PPH story comes out tonight, I’m guessing 70-80% will not like this. I think it will be nearly 1,000 comments, a new record.
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I agree with Max and TC concerning the roof top. If the canopy/overhang was trimmed by around 50 percent I think the overall appearance would be more visually aesthetic and a little less awkward. That said, I'll still take the current design over no tower at all.
 
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Exciting stuff! I'm really digging that twilight view from Post Office Park and the other ground-level angles. Am glad it's not all brick or shaped entirely like a lighthouse. And I am still deciding how I feel about the crown overall, but do really like the vaulted timber.
 
Portlander said:
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I agree with Max and TC concerning the roof top. If the canopy was trimmed by around 50 percent I think the overall appearance would be more visually aesthetic and a little less awkward. That said, I'll still take the current design over no tower at all.
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I’d lose all of the canopy overhang. Remember when the 4 Miami-looking towers design appeared for the Federated project? Total fail and the project was killed. You never get a second chance at a first impression. The Hancock Tower works in Back Bay because it reflects the sky and all the old architecture, like a mirror. I think they kind of F’d up here. It’s being beaten to death with comments on IG—many from younger users. Maybe design a few looks and let the populace “assist.” In Cambridge near MIT, a 38 story building is going up now (to be the tallest in Cambridge) but the top is a bit tapered to not stand out so much. This building looks or feels like someone wearing a weird hat. The eyes should focus on something whole, not just the top. I can’t stop looking at it now. I hope they can fix this because it will bring something more modern to the Old Port. The all glass PHH addition with Miyake on the ground floor doesn’t stick out. It’s not even noticed.
 
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TC_zoid said:
I’d lose all of the canopy overhang.
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I would consider that option too but when you hire one of the world's most acclaimed architects it might be difficult to convince him remove a major portion of his vision. Compromise, maybe?
 
As we all should be aware by now, until anything is put out for bid for construction and often even after, actual designs are fluid and can change significantly. I am keeping an open mind about this project. From a design perspective I actually kind of like it. We will see if that changes when we see the actual building materials. It certainly is positive progress for Portland. Finally.
 
If this tower were to actually get built at its proposed height of 380', Maine's tallest would surpass the tallest in 13 other states: Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming.
 
Dr. StrangeHat said:
Despite what some may think of the crown, I think we can all agree that this would be a very distinctive piece of the skyline, which is what you want for your tallest building.
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I realize you joined almost 13 years ago, but "Dr. StrangeHat" seems like an appropriate nickname for this building.

Portlander said:
Glimpse of the model with on less all glass upper level than today's updated renderings are showing.
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Not only does the current version have the extra top floor, but the overall windows are also different.

What kind of materials are they using here? Is the top made of wood or something? I don't totally understand what I'm looking at. Saw on reddit that it is supposed to resemble a giant lighthouse. I will admit that at least that theme makes sense, even if at first glance the design is kind of a fail (in my eyes, and apparently lots of the general public).

Safdie reminds me of Renzo Piano, as in an overrated "star"chictect who prefers garish controversial designs over just building something timeless and classy. At 380' this might never be passed on the Portland skyline. Do we really want a building that half of people instinctively dislike (and not just the NIMBYs) to be the symbol of Portland?
 
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