KCRag Forum

StrangerThings wrote:

WoodDraw wrote:Also, let's put aside the defense that cordish just loves this architecture. They're doing it because it's cheap and we all know it.

These buildings aren’t cheap. Do some research and compare them to other buildings of similar height and size all around be world and you’ll find they cost the same as those. 108-130 million dollars.

I’ll let the experts make the call and not the haters.

kas1 wrote:I had initially assumed that Four Light would occupy only the western half of its block, such that it would have the same footprint as Two and Three but rotated 90 degrees. If Cordish were simply to limit the height of what they build on the sliver that fronts Main it would do a lot to open up view corridors while still allowing a perfectly reasonable footprint for a tower.

StrangerThings wrote:The haters comment comes from a place of frustration...

...it’s a bit much to always hear the glass wall knock.

StrangerThings wrote:You know what happens when a mid-sized city goes decades in between building high rise buildings? Massive changes in popular design. This “glass wall” argument is exhausting and frutile.

Is it Cordish’s responsibility and financial burden to go out of their way to build drastically different buildings to maintain how it looks from a certain vantage point? Shouldn’t we be looking at the fact that this city’s most iconic high rise buildings have all been built in clusters during certain decades?

The early 1900’s,commerce and others. The 30’s, 909 walnut, PNL and others. The 80’s, OKCP, Town pavilion, AT&T. Now, 1-4 Light, 30 years after the most recent serious high rise downtown construction. So is it shocking that designs and preferred finishes have changed in the last 30 years? You’ll notice all those iconic buildings are very similar in style if built within the same decade. I’m sure shit was talked in the 80’s when ground was broke on one KC place and Town Pavilion about how they were going to ruin the beautiful skyline with all that glass which would block the Art Deco decor of the buildings constructed 50 years prior. :/

StrangerThings wrote:I just want everyone to understand we are doing the best we can. I’d love to be a part of a project that’s ground breaking or historically guaranteed to be iconic. We can’t justify that expense when the means to recoup the costs aren’t there.

If demand changes and increases for a platinum level apartment/condo unit, Cordish has the ability and desire to build it. I just don’t see anyone locally willing to drop 5-8 million for a penthouse condo.

So at this point, we will build what’s planned and all buildings will be similar in some capacity’s and slightly different in others.

I’m always reminding myself this forum is full of somewhat unique people. 99% of KC isn’t on here and don’t have an interest in these type of things.

kas1 wrote:I had initially assumed that Four Light would occupy only the western half of its block, such that it would have the same footprint as Two and Three but rotated 90 degrees. If Cordish were simply to limit the height of what they build on the sliver that fronts Main it would do a lot to open up view corridors while still allowing a perfectly reasonable footprint for a tower.

StrangerThings wrote:I just want everyone to understand we are doing the best we can. I’d love to be a part of a project that’s ground breaking or historically guaranteed to be iconic. We can’t justify that expense when the means to recoup the costs aren’t there.

If demand changes and increases for a platinum level apartment/condo unit, Cordish has the ability and desire to build it. I just don’t see anyone locally willing to drop 5-8 million for a penthouse condo.

So at this point, we will build what’s planned and all buildings will be similar in some capacity’s and slightly different in others.

I’m always reminding myself this forum is full of somewhat unique people. 99% of KC isn’t on here and don’t have an interest in these type of things.

StrangerThings wrote:

WoodDraw wrote:Also, let's put aside the defense that cordish just loves this architecture. They're doing it because it's cheap and we all know it.

I shouldn’t even respond to such a stupid comment but I can’t resist.

These buildings aren’t cheap. Do some research and compare them to other buildings of similar height and size all around be world and you’ll find they cost the same as those. 108-130 million dollars.

I’ll let the experts make the call and not the haters. One Light has won various national awards including an award for excellent from the ULI which has 40,000 members who are all involved in various aspects of urban development. Cheap buildings don’t win awards. Hate on though.

ldai_phs wrote: Realistically, it sounds like Stranger Things has tried his best to convey our messages to his higher-ups. They have made the choice to not change the designs or materials used. There is nothing we can do and nothing he can do. Maybe if we lived in a less car-dependent city the $10-20 million that goes to the garage could be used on a taller or better-looking tower.

ldai_phs wrote:It has been very hard to find details on the Market Tower Project whose renderings you posted. All I can find is that this projected was proposed in 2008, stalled, and then was massively redesigned in 2014. Also is down the street from Apples massive new office building. Not necessarily a fair example.

Realistically, it sounds like Stranger Things has tried his best to convey our messages to his higher-ups. They have made the choice to not change the designs or materials used. There is nothing we can do and nothing he can do. Maybe if we lived in a less car-dependent city the $10-20 million that goes to the garage could be used on a taller or better-looking tower.

StrangerThings wrote:

KCPowercat wrote:lol "the city has been happy with everything Cordish has done"

who is "the city"? Citizens (who is "the city" in my mind) definitely have had concerns about things Cordish has done and their delivery in projections....not everyone (personally I think Cordish has done a great job overall) but overreaching statements like that just can't possibly be true or proven.

The people who make decisions and are authorized agents on the city’s behalf. Outside of this forum, I’ve never once heard a glass wall complaint.