The two upcoming photos were taken when it was mostly dark and from a moving car so please excuse the quality.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
It's Complicated
After a visit to a relative's home a couple of weeks back, one of my cousins asked if we minded dropping her off in the downtown area of my city so that she could more easily access transportation to her own home in Toronto. The drive along the highway was pleasant as we caught up on chitchat about ourselves and our kids.
The sun was just beginning to set and gave us the most lovely golden view through the car window to the north...
A hazy, smokey, peachy mauve dusted the sky to the south of the city.
Straight ahead, we could see the dazzling, gilded buildings of the downtown core. Keep an eye on that incomplete tower in the middle - the one with the taller of two cranes on top of it. We're going to take a closer look.
The two upcoming photos were taken when it was mostly dark and from a moving car so please excuse the quality.
This curvy condominium-to-be is one of two Absolute Towers in the making, which for obvious reasons have been dubbed the "Marilyn Monroe Towers." Evidently, the construction is taking much longer than expected. Much like its namesake, they find her to be complicated.
Mississauga has always had a rather boring skyline but it appears that the blonde bombshell might just add a bit of glitz and glamour to our city. What do you think?
The two upcoming photos were taken when it was mostly dark and from a moving car so please excuse the quality.
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64 comments:
Well, so far it's adding quite a bit of interest...
If one lived in that building and wanted to point out which floor was theirs, do you think they'd say they lived at Marilyn's waist, or Marilyn's hips, or...?
I love silly buildings. Not that I'd want to live in it.
Mary Anne in Kentucky
Is there a structural reason for these, say an added strength against storms or earthquakes? Or is this just whimsy? Wonder what shape the rooms inside will take at the "waist"?
Loved the hazy, smokey, peachy mauve color - what would clothing catalog writers call it? Sunset rose, perhaps...
It's fun to see a little of your city. I've never been in that part of Canada. And those are some interesting buildings.
I really like the way architecture has become more art while still following function. Calgary has some huge building going up in their downtown when we were there. The city was still compact enough that it was an interruption in thought.
Wow! It's already added a bit of glit and glamour... very interesting concept and definitely a conversation starter.
Love that first picture...I find these buildings fascinating!
I think it's quite interesting. Is it truly meant to look like a woman? To me it looks a little like a partly crumpled can, although a little on the large side. :-)
well anything Marilyn is fine with me
it is an interesting building
I love your first shot, the shape from the car window looks like an airplane wing
was it your private jet ;)
Interesting buildings. Great pics, Hilary.
Way cool!
With that bit of twisty-look to the curved part, it looks like a crushed beer can.
Or not. (maybe I'm just thirsty.)
What many of us marvel at in the Canadian cities is the newer archetecture. I remember my first visit to Toronto in 74 and I was amazed at the city hall, and the fact that the newspapers sat in a open box with a sign that said please put money here.Wonderful pictures.
Those are QUITE the incredible buildings!!! I got dizzy just looking at them!!
And that first shot...I wonder how that bridge can hold up that entire cloud....:)
Beautiful city shots!
that tower is really cool...the first pic if you look at it looks like someone is shining a flashlight on the city b/c of the perspective....
I think they're very cool. I love out of the ordinary architecture.
As with a couple of other folks here, I think it looks as though a giant reached out his thumb and forefinger and crunched the middle of each building.
I assume the architect knew what he was doing, but buildings with more on top than in the middle always scare me a bit. They look like disasters waiting to happen.
I like them. Mississauga badly needed some pizzaz. It has whimsy of course (though some may use other descriptive words) what with re-naming streets every other block....
awesome picture
Interesting. Being a person who is somewhat concerned about being in any building higher than fire ladders can reach, i'm not sure i would be comfortable in it.
Nice pictures, though, and yes it will add something to that skyline.
Is that coming down 10 towards 5? I remember when Cooksville was basically 4 corners.
I think architects need to stop trying to out do themselves and consider how the new glitz fits into the current landscape ... I hate when lovely old brownstones are renovated into glass and/or chrome homes .. its just wrong in my opinion ...
I trust you are not also the driver?
These are excellent pictures in spite of taking them from a moving car. You can't fail, can you?
Wow!! Fantastic images...the light, the curves, the reflections...gorgeous!
Guess that architect had enough of the typical straight-lined buildings!
I can see the comparison to M.M., but it also reminds me of what some men do to beer cans when they have finished with them.
High marks for creativity, but ...
Goodness....what a conversation started that will be for generations to come.
Love the first photo with the bridge rail separating the cloud colours. The buildings are very cool! It is a pleasure to see something beyond square or rectangular. I wish you could see that more in houses, those cookie-cutter subdivisions drive me crazy.
What a great pictures, thanks Hilary.
Quite interesting...you must take us on a tour of the inside when it's done.
That sofa king thingy...totally didn't get it...till I saw that hilarious video! I've now had my giggle of the day.
Thank you for that!
I love living in the country, but for some reason find city skylines beautiful and love the artwork in a skyscraper! Beautiful photos!
Wow, that would be something to see when finished. Great shots-all!
• June, I wouldn't want to live up that high. I'll keep my two story townhouse, and leave those anatomical heights for someone else. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• I'm with you, Mary Anne. Fun to see but not my cup of tea. :)
• Pauline, I think it's just a whimsical design. I can't see where this style, over a standard cylindrical shape could be more sturdy. I suspect the "waist" would just be a bit smaller, and perhaps shadier version of the rest of the place. If I ever find out for sure, I'll let you know. Sunset rose sounds good to me. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Linda, they are, so far, the only really interesting buildings I've ever seen in this city. I'm from Montreal originally - where beautiful architecture abounds. It makes this area appear very dull, so this is certainly a visual improvement. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Tabor, of course safety and function come first, but it can't hurt to add some style to our boring structures. Architecture sure isn't what it used to be.
• Jane, it's that, for sure. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks, Lori. I'm glad you enjoyed. :)
• DJan, that was my first thought when I saw the building in progress too. Then I learned about its intended likeness to Marilyn. I can sort of see both.. and then some. :)
• Dianne, yes it does appear wing-like. A private jet would be nice... are you up to a visitor? ;)
• Thanks very much, Leah. :)
• Thanks, Baggie. You're right, it does. I thought so at first too. :)
• Thank you, OOTP. The thing about those newspaper boxes is that the vast majority DO pay up in full. We Canadians are a polite group, and it would be rude to steal a newspaper! :) Toronto's City Hall is indeed a unique building. Thanks for the kind words. :)
• Dawn, if you got dizzy looking at them, imagine living in them? I like the way you see that first image.. a cloud-holder. Thanks for the kind comments. :)
• True, Brian. It was taken from the front passenger seat, through that little, angular back seat window behind the driver's side - hence the shape. I'm glad you like it. :)
• Thanks, Ellen. I do too. :)
• Suldog, I know what you mean. It does look a bit precarious but I'm sure that all safety standards were closely followed, challenged and proven to be fine. I hope. ;)
• Frank, I would have been totally surprised if you hadn't taken this opportunity to remark about the street system here. You didn't disappoint. But I'm glad to know that there is something you do like about this city. :)
• Thank you, Becca. :)
• MessyMimi, I share your concern. I don't like heights very much either, and have never lived higher than the third floor.. and even that felt like too much. Thanks very much for the kind words. :)
• AnvilCloud, it was driving eastbound on the 403 toward Highway 10. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Daryl, I agree but there is nothing here in this city that couldn't be improved upon greatly. There are no beautiful old brownstones as there are in older Canadian cities like Montreal and Toronto. So I'm not against these going up here. I would hate to see something old and beautiful changed to something like this though. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Friko, no - I was the passenger. But yes, I can and do fail miserably and often. I just don't ever post those. You should see my delete pile. Thanks for the words of faith, though. :)
• Laura, thanks very kindly. Much appreciated. :)
• Bonnie, you're sure not alone in seeing the great beer can crush of 2010 in those buildings. I like them compared to what we have here in the city, which is pretty boring and devoid of style. I'm not sure how they would look in an older city like my native Montreal though. :)
• True, Maggie. Unless they start popping up everywhere now. :)
• Reb, I know what you mean about the sub-divisions - especially those without any green space to call their own. Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed. :)
• Thanks very kindly, Bob. Much appreciated. :)
• TSannie, if I ever go inside one of those buildings, I will for sure bring my camera, and subsequently you along. ;) I knew the sofa king thing might stump you for a bit but that you'd catch on after watching the video. Try writing it down for someone and have them say it over and over. You'll be wiping the tears away from laughing so hard. :)
• Barbara, thanks very much. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
• Karen, I'll probably be by there sometime after it's finished and will take you along with me for sure, via my camera. Thanks for the kind words. :)
it's so fun going on little tours to places i've never been, this was a treat, love the curves in your first photo & the buildings :)
Looks like you had a beautiful ride into the city.
And the condos-- How cool is that! I'm liking it a lot! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Happy weekend, jj
I found you from Jillsy Girl. I love your site. I’m going to poke around a little bit, but don’t worry I’ll put everything back where I found it!!
The towers are the best! So curvy and inviting. Great photos, my friend.
Awesome towers, like their namesake. Hope the towers don't give their construction people as much grief as Marilyn gave her directors. Do have a good Chrissy, Hilary!
Gosh, I don't know what to think. The buildigs are works of art. The colors are fabulous. But I think I'd have to live in the city to know how I really thought.
Oops, got so involved in your post, I forgot to say, I've a little something for you at my place. Enjoy!
You opened up with a stunning first photo! It looks like a spotlight shining upon its subject.
And, can't say I've EVER seen buildings with such curves. :) I'm sure it is a must see for tourists.
Love all the images dear Hilary and the Marilyn buildings are rather intriguing. Off hand, not finished, they remind me of a coke can squeezed in the middle.;)) It will be fun to see them again once finished.;))
I always feel that I can take the best shots from a moving car, even if the quality is not the always the best.;)
Have a lovely Friday dear friend,
xoxo
Wow wow wow! You take wonderful pictures even from a moving car! Love those towers!
It's definitely interesting. I can see why they named it after Marilyn Monroe, too. It's kind of cool what they can do with buildings these days.
Definitely glitzy!! And glamorous!! Kind of Gaudiesque!!
Hugs
SueAnn
I am liking this Marilyn!
That first photo is gorgeous! I love the perspective.
You had great sunset views and the buildings are remarkable. I would want to get one of the condos with a smashed in side.
WOW! I love those buildings! They are so unique. And actually quite pretty! Love them!
I must learn from you and take my camera with me more often. There is beauty in so many things. :)
I don't like them.
But I love your photos, the light... the particular colours of the sky.
It's been nearly 20 years since I lived in Western NY and would drive through Mississauga on the way to Toronto or Northern Ontario. That's an interesting building!
Smiling that you can see the towers so well from the Duke of York Blvd... since the Duke of York had an eye for a certain lady!
I'd love looking at that building. It's much more interesting that plain ol' skyscrapers.
Wow, that is some ambitious architecture!
Lovely shots! I always love the color in the sky at dusk and dawn
: )
• Thanks very much, Christine. I'm happy to have you along. :)
• Joanna, it was a good time of day - the sunlight making the view an eye-catcher. I'm glad you enjoyed. :)
• Welcome, Kate. I hope you enjoyed your look-see. :)
• Thank you, Sandy. I'm glad you like them. :)
• Thanks very kindly, Nick. I hope they're less troubled, as well. :)
• Kittie, I understand your sentiment about the buildings. I don't live close to the city center, so they're fine with me at a distance. I'll drop by sometime soon to check it out. Thanks. :)
• Anita, thanks very much. I'm glad you like that first shot. It is indeed an interesting building. I suppose they'll be done by summer and I'll have more photos down the road. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Zuzana, you're certainly not alone in thinking that it looks like a crushed beverage can. Photos from a moving car freeze a very brief glimpse of scenes. Mine are often junk but occasionally worth keeping. This was a bit of both. ;) Thanks always for stopping by. :)
• Lady Fi, thanks very kindly. :)
• Thanks, VM. It's good to know that some architects think outside of the box. Too many don't show their creativity these days, especially around here. Thanks for the visit. :)
• SueAnn, that about sums it up! Thanks for stopping by. :)
• MPM, thanks for the visit. :)
• Welcome, Miss Becky and thanks for the kind words. :)
• Thanks, Larry. I would assume that the middle would be some of the more interesting apartments too. :)
• Kat, I'm glad you like the towers. My camera is almost always with me wherever I go. You can be sure that if I don't have it, the perfect photo opportunity will come along. ;)
• Deb, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about them either. I do think they shake up the boring skyline though. Thanks for your kind words. Always very much appreciated. :)
• Sage, nice to know you're somewhat familiar with the area. You know that it sure changes the look of the city center. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• KC, that's a funny and clever observation about the Duke of York. Thanks for stopping by.. and for the smile. :)
• Thanks very much, Sarah. I like the concept of "ambitious architecture." :)
Those curvy towers are beautiful but very strange. I like the photo out of the car window.
Maggie X
Nuts in May
I wonder what makes your pictures so inviting, so clear. I always feel as if I am there, strolling with you by the lake, sitting in the warmth of your car, seeing what you are seeing.
That strange building does look more like a squeezed drinks can than MM, and hardly looks safe, but definitely an interesting addition to a skyline.
that lights....those buildings.....wow !
I feel queasy just looking at the pictures.
Some lovely views there!
• Thanks, Maggie. It is strange but that's why it makes a decent addition to our otherwise boring skyline. Thanks for the always-kind words. :)
• Moannie, thank you so much for your lovely words. It's always just a pleasure to have you along with me wherever my camera and I may roam. :)
• Thanks, Beth. I'm glad you like it. :)
• Blackwater, queasy is not good! But thanks for stopping by. :)
• Gaelikaa, thanks very much. :)
Never forget to take camera on a long drive. :)
You got great captures. Interesting structures.
You had me laughing about the Marilyn Monroe-inspired buildings!:D)
Very eye-catching -- I think they will add some nice interest to your skyline.
• Thank you, Indrani. I very rarely leave home without it. :)
• Michael, I'm glad you got a laugh out of it. :)
• Sandra, thanks. I think so too. :)
Love the name the buildings have been dubbed. Reminds me of the Batman building in Nashville. (it really looks like the caped crusader)
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