1111 E. Union building gets cold reception

Nearly a dozen members of the community showed up Wednesday night at the second design review for 1111 E. Union – a building which has been a long time moving towards it’s arrival at the crossroads of 12th, Union and Madison.  Runberg Architecture group made a lengthy presentation of changes to their initial design including shifting and narrowing the driveway, and moving the entrances and pedestrian spaces to Union, away from Madison. 

While there was no love on display for the demise of the Under Arms apartments currently occupying the site, there was also an unusual unanimity of disdain for the proposed apartments on the prominent corner.  Both the city design review panelists and the neighbors scolded the drab color scheme of assorted greys, the array of siding materials, discordance with the adjacent architecture and the general scattered massing of the large building.  One commenter from a nearby condo did venture to say he liked the color, notably the only compliment the design received.

Ironically, the opposing triangular lot on that crossroads, new home to a resurgent Pony – now appears open for business and their choice of metal siding (stolen street signs) works quite nicely.