The Upper WALL Falls Condos opened it's doors Sunday afternoon and we were there to bask in the luxe sweetness. Move fast because with only two units remaining, this may be your only chance to share a wall, floor, or plumbing system with Spokane's celebrity circle. If that doesn't peak your interest then the views most certainly will. Even from the large bargain-priced first floor unit that we toured, this view will be tough to beat at any time of the day. Still, as nice as the inside was (think beige), it's the outside that seems to have people troubled.
All that brick and south-facing floor-to-ceiling windows are sweet, but the building itself looks a little, well, um, institutional. C'mon, considering the back-end is what most of Spokane will see, give us something to look at other than a blank wall o' brick. These eyes need some variety. With such a primo location, we were left feeling that Upper Falls missed an opportunity for raising the bar for urban design here in Spokane.
This building is truly ugly from all angles - I think it looks like a high school.
Posted by: LukeB | February 26, 2007 at 06:58 AM
Now, I'm a designer and can be as snobby a bitch as any of you, but seriously, is there one single building in Spokane that isn't ugly to you people?
Posted by: MK | February 26, 2007 at 07:48 AM
C'mon, we're critics, but we've raved about buildings on here before. Yep, Lincoln Building, Foley Courthouse, Review building, Parkade, Riverfalls Tower, Met Bank Building, Davenport...
Even the Upper Falls is decent from the outside, but things could be better, and less 'Wall-like' in our opinion.
Posted by: METROSPOKANE | February 26, 2007 at 08:12 AM
That does jar my memory. I was thinking more about comments from other people and not necessarily your blog posts.
Posted by: MK | February 26, 2007 at 01:05 PM
I hate to say it, but I don't think it's that bad. (In fact, I kind of like it.) Sure it could have been better, but every building could be improved. The brick makes historical sense, and at least that element compliments the Flour Mill. Considering some of the cheap looking crap that's been constructed over the past 20 years, it really could have been a lot worse!!
Posted by: Mike | February 26, 2007 at 08:38 PM
Very true Mike. We just felt given such an amazing location, what an opportunity to have a building to suit. Boxiness aside, something have been done to make it less overwhelming to the surrounding structures (flour mill).
Posted by: METROSPOKANE | February 26, 2007 at 08:51 PM
They should have gone vertical with the building. taken the eastern half to the building and put it ontop of the western half. this would have moved it away from the flowermill and given spokane a nice new 14-15 story highrise condo. it wold have looked real nice once the YMCA condos hopefully get built.
Posted by: Trebor | February 27, 2007 at 02:58 PM
I'll try not to rehash old points, but the building is ugly. The north side is disgusting, reminds me of the Travelodge by the convention center. Maybe some really creative artists could spice it up a little.
Posted by: William | March 01, 2007 at 08:26 PM
Did you or any reader actually make a poitive comment about the biggest eyesore in downtown (exc. Mohawk excavation which makes Bagdad look appealing)the Parkade!
Posted by: Jim | April 04, 2007 at 02:56 PM