Development of John Jones Site / Sketch House

Arkady · February 2014

@Misscara, re-read your post. Be honest. Was that a polite, charitable and condescension-free way of making your point? If you think it was then there is no point us discussing it further.<div><br></div><div>If people keep suggesting that you are continually sneering (or being relentlessly negative, or rude, or judgemental) then maybe you ought to give some thought to why, or how you can better present your opinions without being antagonistic, or alienating people who have got on with you rather well in person (I speak not only of myself).</div><div><br></div><div>But you're right. I shouldn't be so quick to be frustrated. </div>

marie · February 2014

Before starting my masters at st Martins (UAL), I received the brochures for student accommodation, a tiny one bedroom with a shared kitchen for 7 people costed £180 a week! It was a crappy building, you couldn't open the windows, and that was 5 years ago. I'm guessing a room in this building will be even more, and I therefore do not think we can talk about cheap housing... That being said, rich kids or not, I do believe that UAL students could bring a nice touch to the neighbourhood. I am slightly worried that prices in shops will go up though, but apart from that I think it's too early to complain.<div><br></div><div>I personally really like the look of the new John Jones building. It does look very imposing, but I think it is classy and will age well. (I hate the building attached to it, above Sainsbury's though).</div>

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miss annie · February 2014

Interesting points Joe V. Hadn't even thought about the council tax issue, I'm from the fortunate band that was educated free of charge.

Sutent · February 2014

I am glad you like the look of the building but to me it just doesn't look right with the neighbouring small victorian houses. This building will set a precedent now and the council will allow more tall buildings to be built in the area, so you can have your dream of finsbury park to look like Clarkenwell. I am also very disappointedthat they did not use solar panels on the roof as a renewable energy source.<div><br></div><div>I don't mind the students, I am one currently. It will be good for local businesses especially during the day when SGR can be quiet. We have had a lot of pubs closing recently so maybe they maybe revived. I am also concerned to the students may attract more chains to SGR. Arkardy I am not sure where you have your figures that more poorer students are going to University. Most data suggests it is quite the opposite, especially the party you represent has decided to cut national scholarship funding by a 1/3 from 2015, and screwed them over with student fees and the EMA. Poorer students will only represent a small minority, but that is a central government issue and nothing to do with John Jones. </div><div><br></div><div>I am also very disappointed with the small amount of social housing - 3%. That is a bit of a joke.</div>

Sutent · February 2014

I wouldn't mess with Misscara she may eat you!

[Deleted User] · February 2014

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Arkady · February 2014

Sutent, more people from poor backgrounds than ever before are going to university: http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-and-vince-cable-highlight-ld-higher-education-achievements-38353.html I was at Lords committee the other day, outside of which a former Labour minister was bemoaning being rapped on the knuckles by HO for still claiming that the new student loan policy would put off poorer students, as the stats now show the opposite to be true. He was clearly more miffed at being told not to misrepresent the truth than at actually being wrong.

Sutent · February 2014

I am surprised by those figures, but I wouldn't be so smug about them. The debt these poor students will entail will be staggering. Misscara of course I meant the cannabilism comment.

ChangN4N6 · February 2014

Think positive. The Irish landlord in the red Ruby's is rubbing his hands and legs together - he's going to be rich on all those arty Young Ones (obviously dangerously 'foreign') student layabouts guzzling ale and using our council payer funded bins to shove their broken frames in. Good on em. Beats Wood Green which has a 'creative residential campus' which is like a gulag - Jonty had 2 months there and her hair fell out Chang

Kate Jones · February 2014

I don't recall saying we had a dream for Finsbury Park to look like Clerkenwell. Misquoted again! We took inspiration from Clerkenwell warehouses for our building, but in no way have we ever wanted to make the whole area like Clerkenwell. It's clear we could never keep everyone happy but we have done the best we could, trying to keep a business going, our staff employed, meeting council requirements and also as much as we could, taking on board local feedback. A very tall order! Thanks again to those of you who have recognised this and supported us. We can't wait to show you around the building at the end of April

ChangN4N6 · February 2014

Look forward to that, and yes I agree it's good you've had the drive to see it this far and you must be chuffed to get it all working. Well done . Chang

Sutent · February 2014

I am sure Arkardy will be first in the queue to look around

Arkady · February 2014

Been already ;-)

yagamuffin · February 2014

It seems like I'm on my own with regard to this development. While I am okay with the size of the building and how it sits in it's location and interacts with its surroundings I am bitterly disappointed with what I am seeing as dull, boring, old fashioned design, without it seems any architectural innovation or merit.<div>At this point in time, with the technology we have to hand there is as I see it no excuse to design a building without any concern for the environment, without any concern to the future. The steel, the concrete, the acres of glass and the apparent omission of any kind of onsite energy generation, whether it be solar panels, wind turbines, air source heating or anything else.</div><div>Were it built for some faceless corporation I would have expected it (although still been as disappointed) but as it has been done by a local art firm I am even more disappointed not to see better design.</div>

ChangN4N6 · February 2014

I do like the art block, tho I agree they cacked on the back : the view of the site from bar of worlds end pub is shite with Vista Court (not JJ's I know..) from different planet. A big Missed opportunity for that square - the old Victorians round here would have done better. Not JJ's fault probably, Chang

Papa · February 2014

I wholeheartedly agree with Chang.<br><br>That's not a sentence you find yourself saying everyday.<br>

Mirandola · February 2014

Chang's voice has changed recently, don't you think? An improvement I reckon.

kreuzkav · February 2014

When I walk down Chartris road on the way to work lately I've been a bit overwhelmed by the dark grey structure that is the 'new development'. I miss the more open sky and maybe when more development happens it will look different. I know a city changes but it's the more open sky as you walk down Chartris road on a lovely morning that I miss.

gardener-joe · February 2014

...

ChangN4N6 · February 2014

The city north designs (on the skyscraper website) have they been approved ? They r crap and horrible . Broad water farm gone wrong . My OU course did a big thing on how everyone gets blinded by fancy designs and misleading visuals . You expect Venice end up with Vista or Wood Green. Chang

NorthNineteen · February 2014

I was thinking this evening while passing along SGR that I think the JJ Arts buildings has actually improved the Vista/Sainsburys building. They almost go together quite well, now I clearly still think the Vista building is rubbish but it's quite an acheivement for a building to improve those around it. Can't wait for the norther side to go up which will help hide the remaining side profile of the Vista.<div><br></div><div>I can actually see where yagamuffin is coming from, and yes unique would have been good if it had been done well.</div>

andy · February 2014

I really like it. It could be on W Houston/Bleecker St in New York. Well done. <div><div><br></div><div>Compared to what was there before, it's a massive step forward. </div></div><div><br></div><div>The internet specialises in armchair critics, but getting stuff done is hard. </div>

Arkady · February 2014

I tend to agree with NorthNineteen – the Vista building is much improved by having the Chinese-takeway-tin roof and blank facades concealed. I don’t mind it too much from the front (though I worry that the materials will become shabby quite quickly). I’m hoping that the affordable accommodation block opposite the World’s End exceeds my expectations as much as the Arts building did, it could really make sense of that corner.<div><br></div><div>Talking about dodgy materials - I'm hoping that time will prove me wrong, but I'm thus far not impressed with the roof extension to the Railway pub. Maybe they just need to age a bit, but the new bricks don't seem to match the old ones.</div>

[Deleted User] · February 2014

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Kate Jones · February 2014

<p>Andy

thank you so much</p>

JoeV · February 2014

Arkady probably knows the details but it's my understanding that the residential section of the JJ re-development includes 15 units of affordable accommodation + the student housing. <div><br></div><div>..and not only compared to what was there before, as far as new developments in London in general, the new JJ building is very handsome! Once they occupy it and it becomes 'alive' the building will improve again.</div>

[Deleted User] · February 2014

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Arkady · February 2014

@Misscara<;br><br>The ‘affordable’ accommodation block contains 15 housing units. – 5x1 bedroom and 5x2 bedroom and 5x3 bedroom. There will be retails space on the ground floor opposite the World’s End.<br><br>No affordable housing is legally required in a commercial or student housing development, but they went ahead and included it anyway.<br><br>I can’t recall who is handing the affordable housing in the JJ development, but there are lots of different kinds. Some are 80% of market rates, which is pretty useless. Others are reserved for key workers. The very concept strikes me as only necessary in a failed housing market, but others disagree.<br><br>It is in the foreground here: <img src="http://"><img src="http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae221/Redarkady/John Jones/Lennox-SGR.jpg"><br><div><img src="http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae221/Redarkady/John Jones/CornerwithWE.jpg"></div><div>Judging by how much better the Arts building turned out than the renders (even though I liked the renders) this should turn out pretty well. that said, I don't think it's as inspiring as the Arts building.</div>

Arkady · February 2014

Some people might like a reminder of the overall plan: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1356711<div><br></div><div>;(The pics above also illustrate how you won't be able to see the back of the Arts building from the road)</div>

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