More faux luxury on Riverside Avenue: Riverside Elms Condos

We've been wanting to comment on this building for quite awhile, and Spokane Reviewed's posting about the below-average looking Riverside Elms condos (above) gave us the nudge.  Consider it an unintentional tag-team. 

As a building it fits the criteria for what we consider pretty good infill development - similar setbacks from the street, and somewhat similar massing and height to that of surrounding buildings.  So what is it that irks us about the structure and another at the far west end of Riverside Ave?  All fail pretty miserably at mimicking the styles they're trying to mimic.

Riverside Elms looks to be emulating a french provincial design, but it's just not convincing.  It's really just tacky, faux, luxury design with a steep price.  Absolutely no one is convinced that those massive tiles slapped on the side are actually mortared limestone with granite quoins.  The developer seems to have made some tradeoffs between authenticity and leveraging the amenities for a bigger profit margin.  Perfectly fine...it's his development.  However, it's a theme that is becoming more and more prevalent in some high profile locations in Spokane (e.g. the Davenport Tower, Davenport Garage).  For some, perception of authenticity is 'good enough' for Spokane.

The amenities Riverside offers are obvious:  view of the city skyline, view of the river, and proximity to downtown.  It's a high value location in a prime neighborhood that deserves genuine high quality design.  With three remaining vacant lots along Riverside, and with one of those appearing to be doing some site prep, we hope the next condos that pop up will raise the bar a touch higher.  It wouldn't take much.

Comments

[Remi]

The thing really looks like a Playmobil house.

I've talked to some of the people who are moving in there and they're just really odd. Blue-haired Nordstrom ladies who are relocating to Browne's because it's "so bohemian" (not my words.)

Then again I guess those are the kind of people who find buildings like this to be architectural masterpieces.

[METROSPOKANE]

If you think about it, Spokane doesn't really have that 'bohemian' neighborhood that so many people are seeking. Browne's Addition is probably the closest thing there is and it's a stretch.

The Playmobil is classic. You know, McDonald's really standardized the whole Mansard roof thing. It's become a familiar piece of their iconography. Just Google "Mcdonalds" + "mansard"

[mike edwards]

There was a time little downtown housing was not happening. I concur the faux design is revolting....but it's two more blue haired bohemiems living downtown.

In Pittsburgh there is a real emphasis and appreciation on/for good design.....it makes a difference.

I agree it is time for Spokane to raise the bar.

[METROSPOKANE]

Mike,

You make an excellent point. Design aside, the fact that people are seeking homes in an area that was basically stagnant no less than a decade ago is substantial. It's always good to consider how much has changed in the past five years.