Lot 8 Current Photos

[Sir ScarletKnight]

I just started another thread that includes my thoughts on this building, but O...M...G, this building is an absolute disaster. It makes me really question Rutgers decisions and judgement.

I really question the decisions and judgement of people that write "O....M....G".

Joking, joking. Scott Hall is largely a disaster. The lack of maintenance in the Livingston Towers is an absolute disaster. This? This is not an absolute disaster. If I were planning it, I'd have gone a different route. But I don't think it's a disaster.

 

[DowntownT_Brown]

Is there any chance someone can post recent pictures? Thanks!

 

[Sir ScarletKnight]

Is there any chance someone can post recent pictures? Thanks!

I'll grab some tomorrow on my way to class.

 

[Scarlet Pride]

These were taken a little less than two weeks ago.

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[Scarlet Pride]

I was disappointed when I visited to see the latest progress. Here are my quick thoughts from my latest view...

Pros:

1. Impact on Old Queens is mitigated somewhat by the fact that OQ is slightly higher in elevation (slightly), the largest tower's setback, and the foliage/tree cover (will be interested to see it in winter).

2. Will definitely breathe life into that corner. I loved the trucks but having something different at this key spot is a plus.

3. I like the idea of "the yard" for student activities and gathering. I think that will be a big success

Cons:

1. I still think it's too big. It absolutely dominates the surrounding buildings and towers over the neighborhood.

2. The aesthetics are a mixed bag. I like the reddish style of the tower and the grey isn't bad but the tan like color of the two wings is not good. It is compounded by the fact that the style of those two wings reminds me of a retro brutalism design harkening back to worst era of college architecture. It also sort of looks like shipping containers stacked on top of each other.

3. While I'm thrilled to have something other than dirty (but delicious) grease trucks at that location I'm not sold on anything is better. I think this layout maxing out at 5-6 stories with a different aesthetic design could have been a home run.

 

[Cofifa]

I was disappointed when I visited to see the latest progress. Here are my quick thoughts from my latest view...

Pros:

1. Impact on Old Queens is mitigated somewhat by the fact that OQ is slightly higher in elevation (slightly), the largest tower's setback, and the foliage/tree cover (will be interested to see it in winter).

2. Will definitely breathe life into that corner. I loved the trucks but having something different at this key spot is a plus.

3. I like the idea of "the yard" for student activities and gathering. I think that will be a big success

Cons:

1. I still think it's too big. It absolutely dominates the surrounding buildings and towers over the neighborhood.

2. The aesthetics are a mixed bag. I like the reddish style of the tower and the grey isn't bad but the tan like color of the two wings is not good. It is compounded by the fact that the style of those two wings reminds me of a retro brutalism design harkening back to worst era of college architecture. It also sort of looks like shipping containers stacked on top of each other.

3. While I'm thrilled to have something other than dirty (but delicious) grease trucks at that location I'm not sold on anything is better. I think this layout maxing out at 5-6 stories with a different aesthetic design could have been a home run.

Looks like we max out at 7 stores...

 

[DowntownT_Brown]

I agree that the scale is wrong, will hold judgment on aesthetics until it is complete. My preference is more green space than building but it looks like we will have more building than green.

 

[Sir ScarletKnight]

Updated images, including Academic building and Hillel Building.

 

[bob-loblaw]

Great stuff. Thank you for the update.

 

[Zak57]

I walked around the space last weekend and I thought it looked very good. I think it's going to end up a big success.

 

[Korbermeister]

I walked around the space last weekend and I thought it looked very good. I think it's going to end up a big success.

undoubtedly it will be a success. Hotel-like accommodations + accessible & trusted brand restaurants are what the young generation crave.
My question: will this new housing be enough to allow for the demolition of Hardenburgh Hall (and The Ledge /SAC) and the start of construction on the College Ave, Redevelopment?

 

[Sir ScarletKnight]

undoubtedly it will be a success. Hotel-like accommodations + accessible & trusted brand restaurants are what the young generation crave.
My question: will this new housing be enough to allow for the demolition of Hardenburgh Hall (and The Ledge /SAC) and the start of construction on the College Ave, Redevelopment?

From my understanding, these apartments are for upperclassmen, while Hardenburgh is freshman housing.

 

[Korbermeister]

From my understanding, these apartments are for upperclassmen, while Hardenburgh is freshman housing.

...and Stonier Hall used to be for graduate students and Ford hall housed undergrads back in the day
In order to begin building, there will have to be temporary (or not) changes to student housing to accommodate the displaced beds

 

[HeavenUniv.]

Cofifa,
Are all of the buildings on schedule to open in late August ? By the way, I think they look terrific.

 

[Cofifa]

Yes in schedule leases all signed
We all be turning over rental space soon to tenents for fit out

 

[RU-ROCS]

SirScarlet- Thanks for the new pics. It all looks good. The Hillel Building looks like it will be especially nice with a lot of character and old-world architectural detail.

 

[S_Janowski]

Walked by this morning after the half marathon to take a look. Couple thoughts:

- The buildings are a bit oversized but I think it will just take some getting used to. Helps that the one tower is set back. New Brunswick is becoming more and more dense. There is a lot going into that one block so I think the space was maximized. The one street it completely overshadows is Union Street but Greek life is and has been dying at Rutgers. That street was mostly a dump anyway when it was occupied by frat houses.

- Orginally I was a little upset at the loss of the Grease truck lot as that was one of our traditions but you can now see what a waste of space that parking lot was for years.

- Still wish Wawa made the move into the space. They would have made an absolute killing and would have been a hit with students. They just opened a brand new one in Philly on Broad and Walnut that is packed at all times of the day and since that has seen so much success they just announced they're building one of the biggest yet for Market Street in Philly which is gonna have seating for 20-30. I think the company is now realizing that there is plenty of room for growth in an Urban setting with non-gas stores.

- I'm sure Starbucks will be a hit but there's now going to be 3 within a 3 block radius with the big bookstore one a block away.

 

[e5fdny]

The one street it completely overshadows is Union Street but Greek life is and has been dying at Rutgers. That street was mostly a dump anyway when it was occupied by frat houses.

It wasn't always that way.

- Originally I was a little upset at the loss of the Grease truck lot as that was one of our traditions but you can now see what a waste of space that parking lot was for years.

I would hope there is a spot somewhere for them?

 

[Sir ScarletKnight]

It wasn't always that way.

I would hope there is a spot somewhere for them?

RU Hungry has a storefront at the Yard. And the truck has been at Alexander library for years.

 

[RUskoolie]

Not to be nitpicky but I wish the new building was brick. The one bad thing about RU buildings is there is zero symmetry of the exterior.

 

[CERU00]

I dont knowhow much debate when into the architecture of the corner lot building. I agree it would have been much nicer if it complemented Voorhees mall. Its amusing hearing architect s defend the latest trends as beyond criticism. I recently read a story about the debates that went into the River Dorm construction.... The architects said the students of 1954 deserved a building for 1954.. And RU will be stuck with those housing project dorms for another 50 years.

 

[Korbermeister]

I dont knowhow much debate when into the architecture of the corner lot building. I agree it would have been much nicer if it complemented Voorhees mall. Its amusing hearing architect s defend the latest trends as beyond criticism. I recently read a story about the debates that went into the River Dorm construction.... The architects said the students of 1954 deserved a building for 1954.. And RU will be stuck with those housing project dorms for another 50 years.

)

I dont know how much debate when into the architecture of the corner lot building. I agree it would have been much nicer if it complemented Voorhees mall. Its amusing hearing architect s defend the latest trends as beyond criticism. I recently read a story about the debates that went into the River Dorm construction.... The architects said the students of 1954 deserved a building for 1954.. And RU will be stuck with those housing project dorms for another 50 years.

The river dorms don't look that bad.. They actually remind me of guards, standing watch over the raritan.. They don't clash with the surrounding buildings like Scott Hall does and they draw your attention when coming in from points north on the NEC.. All they need is (if anything) is something that will announce to visiters upon seeing them that they're a part of RU and hopefully that will come when the College ave makeover happens (IF it happens

 

[derleider]

I really question the decisions and judgement of people that write "O....M....G".

Joking, joking. Scott Hall is largely a disaster. The lack of maintenance in the Livingston Towers is an absolute disaster. This? This is not an absolute disaster. If I were planning it, I'd have gone a different route. But I don't think it's a disaster.

I wouldnt say its a disaster. I would say its a wasted opportunity for something better. Alot of the other development around campus has been better, which mitigates it some.

 

[CERU00]

)

The river dorms don't look that bad.. They actually remind me of guards, standing watch over the raritan.. They don't clash with the surrounding buildings like Scott Hall does and they draw your attention when coming in from points north on the NEC.. All they need is (if anything) is something that will announce to visiters upon seeing them that they're a part of RU and hopefully that will come when the College ave makeover happens (IF it happens

They do look bad. They look really bad. And I lived in Campbell and have fond memories there. If they went with the original plans with balconies for each room...well that would be different.

 

[Korbermeister]

They do look bad. They look really bad. And I lived in Campbell and have fond memories there. If they went with the original plans with balconies for each room...well that would be different.

Suffice it to say our scales on the attractiveness of buildings are different

 

[Jim_from_RU]

)

The river dorms don't look that bad.. They actually remind me of guards, standing watch over the raritan.. They don't clash with the surrounding buildings like Scott Hall does and they draw your attention when coming in from points north on the NEC.. All they need is (if anything) is something that will announce to visiters upon seeing them that they're a part of RU and hopefully that will come when the College ave makeover happens (IF it happens

River dorms are terrible. You're the only person I've ever heard say they look good.

 

[Cofifa]

Some of the larger rooms on campus , convenient ,nice views of river ....depends if you have an introspective view or not

 

[Korbermeister]

River dorms are terrible. You're the only person I've ever heard say they look good.

River dorms are terrible. You're the only person I've ever heard say they look good.

"The Internet Makes The Art Of Misquoting Easier"
- A Rando Commenter

I didn't say they looked good. I said they didn't look that bad. I was comparing them to other structures at Rutgers like Scott Hall, Brower Commons, the Quads on Livingston, Clothier Hall, and various projects i've seen in NYC, JC and the ones that were torn down off rt. 18 in NB. I'm NOT comparing them to: any Rutgers building on Voorhees mall (excluding Scott Hall), residence halls @ Princeton or even the new residential halls on Livingston campus. In other words, they could've looked much better but they could've been much, much worse.

My definition of ugly housing are these structures: small windows that don't let in enough light and give off the impression of depressed tenants, No balconies, lack of a view of anything i'd want to look at, all public spaces fenced off to control populous, discourage loitering of non tenants and to prevent lawn from being trampled. and the dark brick throughout every building does nothing to lift ones spirits before they enter the unwelcoming vestibule, stairways and elevators. The river dorms look nothing like these, thank God
.

 

[CERU00]

Scott Hall shouldn't ever be used in any comparison. It belongs in its own category of awfulness. It's s complete and utter of abomination. It's an eyesore that should never have been built. It's mere presence in Voorhees mall should lead to spontaneous protest.

 

[Korbermeister]

Scott Hall shouldn't ever be used in any comparison. It belongs in its own category of awfulness. It's s complete and utter of abomination. It's an eyesore that should never have been built. It's mere presence in Voorhees mall should lead to spontaneous protest.

Ugly in every conceivable context.
"... And in the morning of the 6th day, about an hour before brunch, God thus spake, "LET THERE BE UGLY." And verily, Scott Hall appeared in the field, a sore sight for his newborn creations and their progeny for evermore."

 

[e5fdny]

"The Internet Makes The Art Of Misquoting Easier"
- A Rando Commenter

I didn't say they looked good. I said they didn't look that bad. I was comparing them to other structures at Rutgers like Scott Hall, Brower Commons, the Quads on Livingston, Clothier Hall, and various projects i've seen in NYC, JC and the ones that were torn down off rt. 18 in NB. I'm NOT comparing them to: any Rutgers building on Voorhees mall (excluding Scott Hall), residence halls @ Princeton or even the new residential halls on Livingston campus. In other words, they could've looked much better but they could've been much, much worse.

My definition of ugly housing are these structures: small windows that don't let in enough light and give off the impression of depressed tenants, No balconies, lack of a view of anything i'd want to look at, all public spaces fenced off to control populous, discourage loitering of non tenants and to prevent lawn from being trampled. and the dark brick throughout every building does nothing to lift ones spirits before they enter the unwelcoming vestibule, stairways and elevators. The river dorms look nothing like these, thank God.

As somebody who has been up close and personal with your bolded in my career, I will say there are some that do bear a resemblance to the River Dorms.

 

[RU G]

More pictures of the projects from NJ.com

http://www.nj.com/rutgerswomen/inde...he_changing_landscape_at_rutgers_along.html#0

 

[rumikenike]

More pictures of the projects from NJ.com

http://www.nj.com/rutgerswomen/inde...he_changing_landscape_at_rutgers_along.html#0

did i read there was going to be a jersey style boardwalk? nice touch @Cofifa

 

[RU MAN]

I think too many of you are being a bit hasty with your negative opinions of the space. I would wait until the landscaping and hardscaping are in before passing judgment. I was just at UC Berkeley a week ago and they have similar type buildings next to what many here would consider buildings in "scale." I didn't think the larger structured building next to the smaller more streamlined buildings were out of place at all. I too like a style like the honors college buildings, but I also like other types of architecture as well. UC Berkeley's campus is really nice with South Hall a Victorian Empire style building and other architecture in the Beaux Arts classical tradition as part of the early campus of the late 19th century and early 20th century. But there are plenty of modern buildings as well including the Science and observatory building at the very top of the hill.

I would wait until the entire project is complete. It may pleasantly surprise us all.

 

[RU4Real]

Cofifa gets a lot of credit for coming here to get feedback knowing that to find useful feedback, he will have to weed through distracting noise like "a crack house is a gathering place."

At some point in the football program's history a crack house was also a coach's office.

Here nor there.

The problem I have with the execution of this project is that, architecturally, it doesn't seem to be creating any real visual harmony. Whatever happened to limestone block? It's not like there's any real shortage of it.

 

[Cofifa]

At some point in the football program's history a crack house was also a coach's office.

Here nor there.

The problem I have with the execution of this project is that, architecturally, it doesn't seem to be creating any real visual harmony. Whatever happened to limestone block? It's not like there's any real shortage of it.

do you have any idea what limestone block costs?

 

[RU4Real]

do you have any idea what limestone block costs?

Yep.

But it's good to know how the criteria were weighted.

 

[retired711]

I think too many of you are being a bit hasty with your negative opinions of the space. I would wait until the landscaping and hardscaping are in before passing judgment. I was just at UC Berkeley a week ago and they have similar type buildings next to what many here would consider buildings in "scale." I didn't think the larger structured building next to the smaller more streamlined buildings were out of place at all. I too like a style like the honors college buildings, but I also like other types of architecture as well. UC Berkeley's campus is really nice with South Hall a Victorian Empire style building and other architecture in the Beaux Arts classical tradition as part of the early campus of the late 19th century and early 20th century. But there are plenty of modern buildings as well including the Science and observatory building at the very top of the hill.

I would wait until the entire project is complete. It may pleasantly surprise us all.

The natural setting of the UC Berkeley campus is so beautiful that even ugly buildings seem acceptable there.

 

[e5fdny]

The natural setting of the UC Berkeley campus is so beautiful that even ugly buildings seem acceptable there.

Did you just go lawmatt on us?;)

 

[RU MAN]

The natural setting of the UC Berkeley campus is so beautiful that even ugly buildings seem acceptable there.

You have a point. I know you went there. But there are some really fugly buildings there as well.