Dakota Forthbridge hotel

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 22 Jun 2007, 08:44

Has anyone seen this striking new building just next to the bridge?

It looks like a big black office block has fallen out of the sky - I thought it was a head office, but it's a hotel.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 22 Jun 2007, 09:52

I've driven past a few times and to me it looked a really scary building, like some hideous plot or stuff was going on inside. Hope it looks better when its lit up. Is it David Coulthards and Ken Buckley from Malmaison whats building it?

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 22 Jun 2007, 09:54

Er - I don't know?

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 22 Jun 2007, 11:58

Porty wrote: Is it David Coulthards and Ken Buckley from Malmaison whats building it?

Ken McCulloch

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 22 Jun 2007, 12:32

Thats right.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 22 Jun 2007, 12:42

So who's Ken Buckley?

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 22 Jun 2007, 13:12

who's Ken McCulloch?

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 22 Jun 2007, 13:22

Dadaist wrote:who's Ken McCulloch?

He used to or maybe still does own Malmaison hotels and 1 Devonshire Gardens

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 22 Jun 2007, 13:26

Marya wrote:So who's Ken Buckley?

Ken Buckley is the former philatelist.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 22 Jun 2007, 16:28

there is a dakota hotel in the middle of M8 too, not been to either but South Queensferry one got good food review.

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 22 Jun 2007, 18:04

Sandra wrote:there is a dakota hotel in the middle of M8 too.

Slows the traffic down no end as well...

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 22 Jun 2007, 19:57

bearcub wrote:
Sandra wrote:there is a dakota hotel in the middle of M8 too.
Slows the traffic down no end as well...

arachnid · Post by **arachnid** » 22 Jun 2007, 21:27

Dadaist wrote:Has anyone seen this striking new building just next to the bridge?

It looks like a big black office block has fallen out of the sky - I thought it was a head office, but it's a hotel.

We normally see it every week when going for our shopping at " Tesco".
Looks like a big black box!!!
The window cleaners should make a packet cleaning all those windows!!!

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 22 Jun 2007, 23:47

I did wonder what it was before I learned it was a new "Dakota"

Think it will be a massive improvement of Frankie & Beenys

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 08 Aug 2007, 23:12

Just browsing old forums - I think we need more Dakota-esque buildings in Edinburgh - one wouldn't go amis in Porty! ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................waiting for the shock, horror, black afronted from the BANANA Republic!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 09 Aug 2007, 13:26

We've seen it a few times in the past few weeks and I think it's lovely. Very striking. Something similar would be lovely along at the shows

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 09 Aug 2007, 19:13

PCADBAS are stirring their loins as you speak....

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 09 Aug 2007, 21:25

On a serious note why can't we aim high and have world class contemporary architecture in a run down water front location like ours - do you think anyone actually knew anything about Bilbao before the Guggenheim? Look at the regeneration that has come about as a result of it.

The fun fair site is ideal for an outstanding piece of architecture with a 'community/ tourism' type function.

A Pbism - "Nothing great ever happened without taking risks and rubbing some folk up the wrong way!"

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 10 Aug 2007, 15:56

Well said PB.

However, how would you combat the casting of shadows on the promenade/

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 10 Aug 2007, 20:33

Thanks.

On the shadow/ light issues, some ideas to start with:
- Setting back from the boundary as it stands at present. The wall at the moment even provides shadow.
- Having buildings with light coloured finishes and reflective material to maximise the light.
- Being careful with the massing and not just having a single block or a regimented height.
- Creating breaks in the building or between buildings to let light onto the Prom.
- Widening the Prom into the site.
- Providing hard landscaped quality public open areas between the sea wall and the building/s.

There are so many things you can do, that any urban designer with a good vision for the site would be able to handle.

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 15 Aug 2007, 23:09

I was hoping for a lively urban design debate and to get some views on contemporary architecture in seaside locations such as our own - from a professional and personal point of view. Any takers?

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 16 Aug 2007, 07:18

Try reading the 'Bath Street' thread PB.

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 16 Aug 2007, 23:25

Marya, I have.

I am looking for positive ideas on contemporary seaside architecture and what people perceive as good design.

The Bath Street scenario came about as a result of a half ar*ed Reporter who obviously didn't have a clue about design - it happens, believe me!

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 17 Aug 2007, 18:39

Archnid wrote

We normally see it every week when going for our shopping at " Tesco".
Looks like a big black box!!!
The window cleaners should make a packet cleaning all those windows!!!

I didn't know it was a hotel!!! I thought it was an office building

So Arachnid you've deserted your local Tesco for something a bit better eh!!!!

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 17 Aug 2007, 20:01

Puerto bella wrote: The Bath Street scenario came about as a result of a half ar*ed Reporter who obviously didn't have a clue about design - it happens, believe me!

Wow, really?
I certainly believe you. Are you a design guru as well as a jam maker, baker and grower of green things?

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 17 Aug 2007, 22:26

o

Puerto bella wrote:..do you think anyone actually knew anything about Bilbao before the Guggenheim?

Yes, I knew quite a lot about Bilbao actually before Guggenheim . As an O' Level student studying Spanish at Portobello High School in 1973 I went on a 2 week field trip there to learn about Spain, its customs and its people.

PS Rather surprisingly I had also heard of Newcastle (Gateshead) before Angel of the North.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 17 Aug 2007, 22:58

Dakota Forthbridge was jumping tonight (we weren't there alas but visiting BC mum and dad

), only seen the building in daylight before, by night its lit up by blue neon.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 18 Aug 2007, 09:42

Pal of Porty wrote:o
Puerto bella wrote:.. As an O' Level student studying Spanish at Portobello High School in 1973 I went on a 2 week field trip there to learn about Spain, its customs and its people.

I also was an O level student of Spanish at PHS in 1973. I never got to visit Spain but I did have an enormous crush on my teacher. She was muy bonita.

To keep on topic, we passed the Dakota on a few occasions over the summer hols. It's quite impressive of itself but the surrounding area lets it down.
Flattening that part of S. Queensferry might improve things considerably.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 18 Aug 2007, 09:46

P.S. Very off topic now, but I can't help picturing PoP dressed as a toreador these days.
You know, the tight, tight glittery pants and the big hat, huge cape etc. I see him now, in fact, swishing his way proudly down the High Street on his way to open up the office. I think it could boost business actually.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 18 Aug 2007, 19:50

ecm wrote:You know, the tight, tight glittery pants and the big hat, huge cape etc. I see him now, in fact, swishing his way proudly down the High Street.

Spookily he was doing just that as he flounced past me out of the door of the Ormelie last night

. You are truly psychic ecm.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 18 Aug 2007, 21:00

Epykat wrote:
ecm wrote:You know, the tight, tight glittery pants and the big hat, huge cape etc. I see him now, in fact, swishing his way proudly down the High Street.
Spookily he was doing just that as he flounced past me out of the door of the Ormelie last night . You are truly psychic ecm.

What swishing a cape or wearing tight pants?

Both, I hope.

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 18 Aug 2007, 21:06

Ecm - indeed. Design Champion by day, gardener and jam maker by night!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 18 Aug 2007, 22:16

ecm wrote:Both, I hope.

Well, judging by the way he was swishing I'd say the pants were quite tight

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 19 Aug 2007, 20:15

ecm wrote:Flattening that part of S. Queensferry might improve things considerably.

Hopefully you'll let my Mum and Dad move out first....

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 19 Aug 2007, 20:32

bearcub wrote:
ecm wrote:Flattening that part of S. Queensferry might improve things considerably.
Hopefully you'll let my Mum and Dad move out first....

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ooops!

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