DISCUSS: Best North American Skyline

[MDguy]

Originally Posted by Xusein

One of my misgivings of Chicago's skyline...it just dies the further inland you go. It's good when it comes to pics and contrast views but compared to NYC or even Toronto, it's highrises are very concentrated. Once you get past I-90/94, there are barely any.

That's actually one of my favorite parts of Chicago. I dont find an endless sea of ugly condo towers pleasing. I like the concentrated nature of cities without endless seas of ugly. It gives it a much more dramatic look.

[Xusein]

Different strokes for different folks.

Boston has a very good skyline with lots of density, but it's big failing is the fact that (IMO) it's Tallest buildings (John Hancock and Prudential) are ugly.

[desertpunk]

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The Colgate Clock, Freedom Tower, and New York City on 1/2/2012 by mudpig, on Flickr

[desertpunk]

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Up the River by Ryan Daly, on Flickr

[Sarcasticity]

Originally Posted by Xusein

Different strokes for different folks.

Boston has a very good skyline with lots of density, but it's big failing is the fact that (IMO) it's Tallest buildings (John Hancock and Prudential) are ugly.

True about Prudential. It's like MetLife's ugly twin sister . John Hancock however, looks pretty good in person. The cladding is amazing

[HK999]

Lovely Chicago pic.

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Across the Hudson by tomadamsnj on Flickr

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tomadamsnj


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Manhattan Panorama by llcheesell / vilvo on Flickr

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Sunset over the skyline by austinNYC on Flickr

[Dralcoffin]

A smaller skyline that has that linear form I like, but a bit sparse for my liking:

Atlanta

The tallest building with the gold triangle on top, the Bank of America Plaza, is the tallest building in the country (and Western hemisphere) outside of New York and Chicago. The BOA Plaza is in the right background in the first picture and on the left in the third; it is located about a mile north of the main downtown core.

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Rajesh Gunasekaran, Flickr

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Kylos85, Flickr

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zir6rm, Flickr

This is Buckhead, located a couple miles north of the central skyline
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scottdunn, Flickr

However, Atlanta is an example of too linear a skyline: the line of towers goes on intermittently for about four miles (seven kilometers) north to south, from Buckhead to the state capitol, but is never more than about ten blocks across downtown, and is usually only four or less city blocks east to west.

[desertpunk]

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Toronto 2011 by Adrian & Thomas Photography, on Flickr

[dnh310]

Seattle

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_MG_6816 Full Moon over Cityscape por Gary Hamburgh, en Flickr

[Sarcasticity]

The City of Brotherly Love


http://picturephilly.com/2010/11/09/...street-bridge/


http://press.visitphilly.com/media/1481

[DZH22]

Originally Posted by Xusein

Boston has a very good skyline with lots of density, but it's big failing is the fact that (IMO) it's Tallest buildings (John Hancock and Prudential) are ugly.

I understand your take on the Pru. Many people don't like it, although it has grown on me and has a really nice night presence with its new lighting. However, I can't for the life of me understand how you could call this building (our city's tallest) ugly.

[desertpunk]

That tower was revolutionary when it was built in 1972. It's unique rhomboid shape and mirrored surface helped propel Pei, Cobb & Freed to the top ranks of architects and spawned a slew of Late Modernist imitators (many in Dallas and Houston). I think it's gorgeous but it does have an awkward setting in the skyline that detracts from the kind of urbanistic interplay that most towers its height have in other cities. The architects understood this and attempted a 'vanishing curtainwall' effect but in the wrong light, it's proportions loom over Copley Square.

The Prudential Tower is an iconic midcentury gem that should never be altered in any way. When it was built, it was one of very few towers that tall built outside New York after WW2.

[DZH22]

Originally Posted by desertpunk

That tower was revolutionary when it was built in 1972. It's unique rhomboid shape and mirrored surface helped propel Pei, Cobb & Freed to the top ranks of architects and spawned a slew of Late Modernist imitators (many in Dallas and Houston). I think it's gorgeous but it does have an awkward setting in the skyline that detracts from the kind of urbanistic interplay that most towers its height have in other cities. The architects understood this and attempted a 'vanishing curtainwall' effect but in the wrong light, it's proportions loom over Copley Square.

The Prudential Tower is an iconic midcentury gem that should never be altered in any way. When it was built, it was one of very few towers that tall built outside New York after WW2.

The JHT was technically completed in 1976. For the most part it acts as a giant mirror, either reflecting the older buildings around it or blending into the sky. Also, when you are in Copley Square, the tower is presenting its thin side. (see 1st pic, taken from Copley Square next to Trinity Church)

I agree about the Pru, unique and iconic. When built in 1964, it was actually the tallest building in North America outside of NYC (passing Terminal Tower in Cleveland) and I think the second tallest in the world outside NYC, behind Moscow University (which only beat it by having a huge spire).

[love-qatar]

i love the pics
so nice

[desertpunk]

San Francisco

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Twin Peaks and Market Street by Chris Saulit, on Flickr

[Sarcasticity]

It's my first time to see this.. It seems like that avenue divided the skyline into two

[HK999]

SF: small, but very very nice.

[TweedeMan]

Philadelphia is really stunning!

[desertpunk]

Originally Posted by HK999

SF: small, but very very nice.

NIMBYs run the place. Try building anything tall north of Market St. (that 'dividing line')

[HK999]

Originally Posted by desertpunk

NIMBYs run the place. Try building anything tall north of Market St. (that 'dividing line')

And here I thought that NY was the NIMBY's home.


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Harrvey Spinks


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IMG_6959a by Eve Lane on Flickr