[New West] The Shops at New West (Plaza 88) | Completed [Archive] - Page 6

LeftCoaster

Mar 28, 2011, 3:47 PM

Yes, this is very "Euro - Japanese" in terms of transit integration into an apartment / retail complex. How many centres like this does Toronto have, I wonder? They're usually ahead of us in this kind of thing - just through being older and larger. Montreal....? Anyone know?

Toronto actually usually plays catchup from an urban design standpoint, and they have since I can remember. I'm sure things were different when you were living back here, but since the mid 90s at least Vancouver has been the leader in Canadian urban design. I cant think of a single development like this in Toronto, but then again they dont have much in the way of elevated transit. This reminds me so strongly of many many projects here in Singapore. They work very well here and I expect this to do well in Vancouver too.

DKaz

Mar 28, 2011, 7:27 PM

Makes me wonder for some of the Evergreen Line Stations, when they sell some of their land to developers, they could stipulate that the developer is responsible for paying for and integrating the guideway and station into their building.

I wonder how much the Coquitlam Central land is worth?

Zassk

Mar 28, 2011, 7:41 PM

The Coquitlam station is on Translink property, and going from memory, all of the other Evergreen stations are either situated over/under a roadway or beside railway tracks, except for Burquitlam station. So there's not much potential for this on Evergreen.

SpongeG

Mar 28, 2011, 7:56 PM

the burquitlam station is about the only one I can imagine that could do something, it wouldn't really envelope the station but that whole safeway and plaza could be redeveloped to use the station - the plaza was supposed to be redone year ago but they seem to have held off in anticipation of the evergreen line probably

Metro-One

Mar 28, 2011, 8:03 PM

:previous:The line is being built with the potential to add a station and Lincoln. I could see such a project as this potentially happening there as well, especially since such a station's primary purpose would be to serve the surrounding shopping centres, especially Coquitlam Centre, who would likely be one of the catalysts to having the station built.

officedweller

Mar 28, 2011, 9:13 PM

I could see both Burquitlam and Lincoln being more like what's planned for Aberdeen, rather than enveloping the station like at Plaza 88.

Otherwise, what you really need is a site where the guideway runs through the centre of the parcel - or over a laneway that can be closed (as at Plaza 88).

I could see Central City building around and over the guideway for visual interest (it runs through the parking lot) - but I doubt there would ever be an additional station added there.

CoryHolmes

Mar 29, 2011, 8:07 AM

For the life of me, I curse the day the Infinity project built so close to King George, yet did not include the station in its designs. Curses!

invisibleairwaves

Mar 29, 2011, 8:15 AM

For the life of me, I curse the day the Infinity project built so close to King George, yet did not include the station in its designs. Curses!

The commercial component is designed to be accessed from the station entrances, so it isn't totally left out of the planning. But yes, it's a shame it wasn't integrated a little more.

But I don't really expect anything this creative and challenging to come out of Surrey any time soon. It's all open space with few geographical restrictions, and we'll be lucky if we get anything more than a slew of hideous Burnaby tower-in-park designs.

tybuilding

Mar 29, 2011, 6:21 PM

For the life of me, I curse the day the Infinity project built so close to King George, yet did not include the station in its designs. Curses!

Probably will have a stupid chain link fence between! I hope not.

officedweller

Mar 29, 2011, 8:39 PM

There's supposed to be stiairs - due to a grade separation.

BCPhil

Mar 29, 2011, 9:43 PM

For the life of me, I curse the day the Infinity project built so close to King George, yet did not include the station in its designs. Curses!

Don't lose all hope, there is a large parking lot on the south side of the station that won't stay a parking lot forever.

As Oficedweller pointed out, there is quite a bit of grade separation between King George and the land to the North. To integrate with the station you would need at least a 4 story shopping center or office tower. I think that is a bit out of the scope for what they have planned and what they can finance. It was hard enough getting this project going again in the scope they have, let alone if they tried to saturate Whalley with more underused office/retail space.

Maybe in several years when they redevelop the hotel/parking lot on the south side of the station, Whalley will be in need of another major center that can integrate with the station. If Vancouver balks on the BC Place casino, I can see Paragon eyeing that location for something huge.

Plus Surrey always talks about redeveloping the North Surrey Rec Center, which would open up the land adjacent to the Surrey Central Station. Right now it's a mixed bag of what they want to put there, but after the probable success that Plaza 88 will see, Surrey might want to copy it, integrating the station into the whole SFU/City Hall/Library area.

Spork

Apr 11, 2011, 1:57 AM

Here are some pics taken by me over the past week. There is a bit more concrete pouring to go. I think that it should be "topped out" by the end of May (perhaps not the theatre bit on the top).

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3919/cimg0130j.jpg

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/74/cimg0131y.jpg

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/6852/cimg0132r.jpg

Notice the brackets on the right for the pedestrian track overpass. These are brand new.
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/3418/cimg0135q.jpg

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/343/cimg0136e.jpg

Fresh concrete:
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/9643/cimg0137b.jpg

Soon to be fresh concrete:
http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/4044/cimg0138e.jpg

This structure is seriously quite massive.
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/8748/cimg0139o.jpg

Not certain on the configuration of this area. You can see them deconstructing the building to the left. This building fronts onto 8th street.
http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/5043/cimg0140a.jpg

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/9291/cimg0141f.jpg

SpongeG

May 6, 2011, 3:43 AM

took some pics passing today

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/9233/dsc02767x.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/9796/dsc02768u.jpg

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/4124/dsc02769gg.jpg

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1885/dsc02770ax.jpg

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/3892/dsc02771kp.jpg

vanman

May 7, 2011, 3:24 AM

Lots of progress, thanks for the pics.

Spork

May 9, 2011, 4:50 AM

Here's a quick update...

All photos taken by me in the past week (most today).

Sneak peek at the parkade:
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/4808/cimg0142m.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/109/cimg0142m.jpg/)

Overhead view of the only section that is lagging behind:
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/350/cimg0160y.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/840/cimg0160y.jpg/)

Between Old Spaghetti Factory and the development. You can see that the piece in the back is now the height of the skytrain overpass.
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/2200/cimg0166l.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/835/cimg0166l.jpg/)

Views from around the area South of the development:
http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/521/cimg0167u.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/801/cimg0167u.jpg/)

http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/6259/cimg0168e.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/857/cimg0168e.jpg/)

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/508/cimg0169e.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/cimg0169e.jpg/)

Views from the overpass:
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/3306/cimg0170x.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/684/cimg0170x.jpg/)

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/4328/cimg0171o.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/828/cimg0171o.jpg/)

The stores look to be building out at a pretty solid pace:
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/8153/cimg0172n.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/839/cimg0172n.jpg/)

http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/517/cimg0173v.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/691/cimg0173v.jpg/)

Stores go all the way down here:
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7623/cimg0174i.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/16/cimg0174i.jpg/)

flight_from_kamakura

May 9, 2011, 5:38 PM

looking good! thanks for the images!

invisibleairwaves

May 11, 2011, 4:30 AM

May 6, 2011
To facilitate construction work to enable access to the parkade at the Plaza 88 development, Degelder Construction will be conducting a temporary lane closure on the McInnes Overpass connecting Carnarvon Street with Quayside Drive.

Work is anticipated to commence on Monday, May 16, 2011 and should take approximately 3 weeks to complete. The work will require the restriction of vehicle traffic to one lane northbound (from Quayside to Carnarvon). Southbound traffic will be detoured via the Third Avenue Overpass or the at-grade crossing at Begbie Street. A temporary sidewalk will be constructed to ensure unimpeded pedestrian access for the duration of construction activity.

http://www.newwestcity.ca/2011/05/06/mcinnis_overpass_widening_project_.php

Spork

May 12, 2011, 5:47 AM

Interesting. I'm surprised that I didn't get a notice in the mail. I'll be sure to take lots of photos as they build it from both street level and from several stories directly above.

huenthar

May 12, 2011, 9:48 AM

So why are they building around the soon-to-be-demolished building fronting 8th street? (eg the floor goes awkwardly around the corner of the old building for just a meter or two) Or I guess the real question is, why hasn't that building been demolished yet? Have they finalized the design for the 8th street frontage yet? Really hope they build some sort of grand staircase up to the mall/station right at the corner of the intersection.

SpongeG

May 12, 2011, 7:22 PM

I don't think that building lot is part of the development but a separate project

GMasterAres

May 12, 2011, 7:27 PM

Looking good. Go more development in New West. I want to see them rebuild the waterfront and New West and Surrey develop a nicer Riverfront between the 2 cities once the SFPR is completed. I think the flatlands there could be a great area to develop for Surrey in the future.

Gateway to downtown and a nice Yaletowny community atmosphere. Walk the dog along the river, take a water taxi across to the New West Quay.

Spork

May 13, 2011, 1:10 AM

That building is for phase 3. I suppose once they have all retail leased they will begin to build it. I would expect that it would be sooner rather than later, but it may be delayed because of the construction of the civic centre across 8th street. The grand staircase that you speak of is in the plans, if you look around page 15 of the thread.

McPaul

May 19, 2011, 1:03 AM

Great pics guys, keep them coming!

is there an estimated date of completion and a list of retailers in the building?

I assume the skytrain is still running with all this construction? it looks like quite the desolate place. Is it always this way?

SpongeG

May 19, 2011, 1:13 AM

is what a desolate place? that area is not that busy - more so during commute times in my experience - the quay closing and casino moving really hurt that part of town - the reopened river market (former quay) only had one store in it last time i passed and a pub nothing else no reason to go there at all

i think it opens fall 2011 and the theatre a little later - christmas blockbusters should be playing there :)

Spork

May 19, 2011, 5:50 AM

I think the desolate feeling you are getting is from the shots on Columbia street. That part of Columbia doesn't get any pedestrian traffic because the sidewalk goes nowhere that anybody would want to walk (train yards).

It is very busy during commute times, and reasonably busy during the middle of the day and weekends. It dies down at about 8pm-9pm.

The skytrain is definitely running.

Anything you want pictures of?

SpikePhanta

May 19, 2011, 6:31 PM

This area of New west has a lot of pedestrian traffic, I was surprised at the pedestrian traffic on columbia and by the spaghetti factory.

SpongeG

May 19, 2011, 8:24 PM

its always been good but only at certain times - its even less now with all the changes and construction - it will pick up again when things settle down and all the construction projects finish up

douglas college is right there that contributes a lot of pedestrians during the day

BCPhil

May 19, 2011, 11:03 PM

The sidewalks are closed on Columbia pretty much so there is no through pedestrian traffic. If you go over to Carnarvon St behind the existing part of Plaza 88, the street is usually packed with pedestrians.

Spork

Jun 10, 2011, 2:40 AM

It looks like completion will be longer than I had hoped to be completed. The Westbound station elevator appears to be on the move, with an expected completion date of November.

I'll snap some photos this weekend for a large update.

huenthar

Jun 10, 2011, 7:23 AM

Does anyone know how plans are going for the upgrades to the station itself? Obviously the funds aren't there (I still don't know why the developer isn't being made to pay for it :shrug: should have been demanded of them IMO) but are they still hoping to get it done as soon as possible? Any designs released?

Oh, also, was curious, I thought that originally there was a fifth tower planned, I'd assumed over the Spaghetti factory, is that still in the works for the distant future or not?

Looks like they demolished that crappy building next to eight street just after I commented about it... glad they were listening to me! :D

SpongeG

Jun 10, 2011, 11:33 PM

yeah i saw that they demolished that the other day when i drove past - i was gonna mention it here but i forget

Spork

Jun 11, 2011, 6:19 AM

I haven't seen any designs or prep work for station renovations. I doubt that there will be much. It will be phased, likely, if anything.

Fifth tower was to be Spaghetti Factory, but that's probably 5 years down the road, as they would probably build the 4th first.

Spork

Jun 28, 2011, 2:36 AM

I've been super busy lately, but here are two photos from NW station platform.

All concrete pouring looks to be done (perhaps some North of the station between the main residential structure and OSF). They are still mounting steel girders on top of the concrete for the station-level stores. There are also some interesting curved steel white poles for which purpose I am not aware. Finishing work is going ahead, including the parkade (looks to be almost finished) and some shops North of the track. The Westbound elevator has been closed for a little while. I think that they might be moving it.

I'll try to take some more shots soon.

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/6938/cimg0193m.jpg

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/6602/cimg0194hl.jpg

officedweller

Jun 28, 2011, 7:38 PM

Thanks for the update.
That first shot looks great - like a real "downtown" elevated station.

workerguy

Jul 16, 2011, 9:49 PM

The station will be getting a face lift, and the north west corner of the station will be directly connected to the tower for people to walk and shop down the corridor. There are more escalators to get from the safeway/shoppers level to to the skytrain level as well. They are incorporating the skytrain and shopping into a one stop deal.

I was working on the site for awhile and got the inside scoop.

BodomReaper

Jul 16, 2011, 10:24 PM

This is total dreaming and probably never will happen, but once this project and the Civic Centre/Theatre/Convention Centre/Office tower are completed, wouldn't the Salvation Army building across be great for a Nordstrom? Obviously it's not downtown Vancouver, but Downtown New West and especially this stretch of Columbia from 10th to Begbie is shaping up to be really neat!

s211

Jul 16, 2011, 11:31 PM

BodomReaper

Jul 17, 2011, 4:29 AM

Nordstrom? :haha: At best, Target.

Unfortunately... :yuck:

Spork

Jul 22, 2011, 6:52 AM

I know that I'm overdue for photos. I promise some soon.

There is now a metal roof over the South platform for some part of it, many windows up, and insulation still continues to go up. No real finishing such as siding or drywall, but we're getting close.

An escalator frame went up today in the underground part, which is very good to see. Also, they have begun to remove interior roof paneling from one section of the skytrain station. This is either for interior renovations, removal of the roof (the mall will be the new roof), or temporary.

Spork

Aug 31, 2011, 1:29 AM

There's quite a bit of finishing going on. Not much to take photos of since it is generally inside, but I can tell you that the cladding on the exterior looks like it will be grey and green. It doesn't look horrible, but doesn't look great either. It is certainly better than the renders on page 12, which show lots of concrete.

Also, they have taken the roof off of the Eastbound escalator and stairs, as that will be heavily integrated with the development itself. Right now it is just set up with plywood over top, but I anticipate that integration will accelerate as a result.

Many escalators and such are being installed, and they appear to be readying to pave the area where the bus loop will be. I'm still hoping for an October/November completion, but stores probably won't be open until January or February. Only 2 years behind schedule, not too bad. :P

officedweller

Sep 26, 2011, 8:11 PM

Webcam shows cladding on the theatres:

http://www.earthcam.com/clients/plaza88/?cam=2

officedweller

Oct 20, 2011, 12:02 AM

Webcam pic from today:

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/9013/plaza88developments2011.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/829/plaza88developments2011.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Chadillaccc

Oct 20, 2011, 7:09 AM

Great pic!

I got a great pic of the complex from the Quay the other day.

Taken from my phone
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6175/6262578861_ef52630773.jpg

peterprinciple

Oct 20, 2011, 2:08 PM

This thing is hideous. Looks nothing like the original renderings. Way to go City of New West.

cc85

Oct 20, 2011, 5:27 PM

The former parking lots looked better. New Westminster (and Burnaby) continues to show their appreciation for good architecture and urban design.

PaperTiger

Oct 20, 2011, 7:11 PM

I have always thought that the south elevation was a terrible design. This is so much worse than I thought it would be. After all of the investment in Columbia Street, why kill it with an enclosed shopping mall with a HUGE blank wall? I can't understand this one.

"Come to New Westminster, never leave the Skytrain Station"

Stupid. Soooo Stupid.

SpongeG

Oct 20, 2011, 11:37 PM

that area never worked good to push people to use the street the block to the north columbia bends there and there is too much traffic and will never be anything on the other side - good use of a dead zone if you ask me

invisibleairwaves

Oct 21, 2011, 6:58 AM

The design of Plaza 88 isn't the problem, it's the heavy truck traffic and awkward intersection that kills any chance of that part of Columbia becoming pedestrian-friendly. If this building was a few blocks east, I would agree that it's a problem, but at that spot it isn't ruining anything that Front Street hasn't already destroyed.

Chadillaccc

Oct 21, 2011, 8:17 AM

Exactly, I of course think it is a hideous design... but it is a good use of the skytrain station and the city needs more stuff downtown, like the theater, a grocery store, and a bit more retail... so overall, I like this development, especially the towers which add a significant amount of density to downtown :) I love new west, I'd love to see more office, hotel and residential space get constructed on Columbia so that it could be a bit more lively. Some nights walking from Richmond St. all the way to Columbia station, I only pass 3 - 10 people :S

It's really a severely underrated city and has a lot of potential, and yes this design was a flop, but as was noted above, the area it is in is a flop regardless of the design. Hopefully the new accessibility to the Quay overpass will encourage more people to go to the Quay :)

Chadillaccc

Nov 6, 2011, 11:26 AM

NewfBC

Nov 6, 2011, 3:59 PM

Safeway is aiming to open early in December, with other tenants soon to follow, including Landmark Cinemas, Shoppers Drug Mart, CIBC, RBC, Wireless World Solutions (Fido), Western News, Subway, A&W, Arden Holdings, Extreme Pita, Flight Centre and Yogabody Lifestyle Shop.

Read more: http://www.royalcityrecord.com/Transit+village+vision+track/5641786/story.html#ixzz1cvK7MuBR

There will be a total of 75 retailers sharing the 200 000 square foot space. The theatre is now projecting an April 2012 opening.

"Inside the 4,000 square foot space to be occupied by Safeway, signs have already been erected for the various departments and some display units have been delivered. Workers busily move around the space doing their work."

Read more: http://www.royalcityrecord.com/Transit+village+vision+track/5641786/story.html#ixzz1cwQxKIxM

Wow.. that's a small Safeway! :)

Ron.

Chadillaccc

Nov 6, 2011, 8:23 PM

They probably had to make it smaller than normal because there's already a grocery store half a block away? I dunno. Perhaps it was just a typo and it's 40 000... cause it doesn't look that small from the outside, that's for sure!

McPaul

Nov 7, 2011, 8:41 AM

The Safeway in new Westminster station will be 39,403 sq ft.

Www.sitings.ca

officedweller

Nov 7, 2011, 9:30 PM

Thanks!

Links to floorplans here:

http://www.sitings.ca/currentproject.cfm?projectid=36

Chadillaccc

Nov 14, 2011, 10:49 AM

Awesome link! Thanks office dweller!

BCPhil

Nov 15, 2011, 10:02 AM

I saw signs at the station today that say the Safeway opens December 9th.

P.S. I'm definitely making my transfer here from now on whenever I go between Millennium and Expo lines.

peterprinciple

Nov 15, 2011, 6:09 PM

This "thing" is an eyesore. Keeps getting uglier by the day.

Chadillaccc

Nov 15, 2011, 7:59 PM

I saw signs at the station today that say the Safeway opens December 9th.

P.S. I'm definitely making my transfer here from now on whenever I go between Millennium and Expo lines.

Yeah for sure! I wish they would spruce up Columbia station too. It's in a very cool location, they could do so much with that building.

officedweller

Nov 15, 2011, 9:24 PM

Funny thing is that Columbia Station and the building around it won awards when it was opened for being transit oriented development - the goalposts have moved a lot since then.

SpongeG

Nov 15, 2011, 11:05 PM

they changed Columbia a lot since it opened - they removed the escalators and a some of the businesses space got closed in, the thing just never seemed to do what it was designed to be

plus losing all the people who transferred from the trains to the coquitlam busses lost of pedestrian action through the station

Chadillaccc

Nov 16, 2011, 6:41 AM

Yeah but they can still capitalize on the fact that a lot of people still transfer from Millenium to Expo and vise versa at that station. If they were to convert the entire bottom floor of the Atrium (or whatever you call it) into retail/restaurants, that would probably draw a lot more people out of the station than just the current Macks and Subway.

The glass in the Atrium could also use a good wash.

SpongeG

Nov 16, 2011, 11:33 PM

thats how it used to be :sly:

anyway - passed through plaza 88 on the train, hard to believe the safeway will be open in a month, looks so far away from anything being done

Echowinds

Nov 17, 2011, 12:52 AM

Not regarding aesthetics, this project is still pretty good for having a comprehensive development around a transit station in the suburbs. Feels quite Asian, in fact.

Chadillaccc

Nov 17, 2011, 5:54 AM

Actually, I'm pretty sure this development is the first of its kind in the world? Or perhaps just North America. Still, no small feat.

LeftCoaster

Nov 17, 2011, 4:16 PM

They exist everywhere in Singapore, so definitely not the first in the world.

Echowinds

Nov 17, 2011, 6:25 PM

They are everywhere in East Asia in general, in fact. Quite rare in North America though, mainly due to the fact that transit is relatively weak on this continent.

SpongeG

Nov 17, 2011, 10:44 PM

Actually, I'm pretty sure this development is the first of its kind in the world? Or perhaps just North America. Still, no small feat.

doesn't broadway/commercial drive station count? its got retail etc with a train running through/overhead of it

Chadillaccc

Nov 18, 2011, 1:15 AM

That developing is hardly even similar to what this will be. There's maybe like 15 stores in that development, this one will be an entire 3 story mall with 75 retailers and 3 large residential towers.

This is a very unique development for North America. I hope they do more! I think Marine Gateway will be similar, it just won't surround the station.

dleung

Nov 18, 2011, 4:40 AM

Hard to believe this kind of development is the "first of its kind in North America". Still is one ugly mother regardless...

SpongeG

Nov 18, 2011, 7:24 AM

Chadillaccc

Nov 18, 2011, 10:15 AM

Grocery stores/market/bakery's, fashion, insurance "firm", liquor store, cell phone shops, restaurants, fast food, movie theater, video game shops, travel adviser, clinics, ice cream shops, and weight loss/gym's.... nawww... doesn't sound like a mall at all.

Seriously?

SpongeG

Nov 19, 2011, 4:57 AM

nope more like a strip mall in the sky :)

McPaul

Nov 19, 2011, 8:02 AM

nope more like a strip mall in the sky :)

Ok... I even LIVE there and I think that's funny...

December 9 is just around the corner...

jsbertram

Nov 19, 2011, 8:30 AM

Hard to believe this kind of development is the "first of its kind in North America". Still is one ugly mother regardless...

I find it hard to believe that it took over 25 years for someone to figure out how to include a Skytrain station into a multi-use development that takes up an entire block - instead of having the station attached to the site by an open-air pedestrian bridge over a busy road or a transit loop.

McPaul

Nov 20, 2011, 6:41 AM

Dentist open December 12.

Sorry, I didn't copy down the phone number.

I suspect the opening announcements will keep coming more frequently. I believe most places should be open shortly before Christmas.

Maybe the flight center will be next to announce?

NewWester

Nov 22, 2011, 3:37 AM

I suspect that as downtown New West develops further and more people actually get off the train there that the columbia station atrium will slowly convert back into a retail (or at least restaurant) centric space like it was originally intended. The time it takes to switch Expo/Millenium is so trivial that I doubt anyone would be inclined to go into the station. Also, the fourth street exit is pretty strong detriment to the Columbia street exit: most people who live in the area leave via that exit since they live uphill.

So excited for the new Safeway, it'll be so convenient for last minute pickups. But, man is that an ugly building....

McPaul

Nov 22, 2011, 3:13 PM

They had the lights on inside shoppers drug mart all day Monday. The Place is coming along from what I saw but still a long ways off.

Hoping for a prior to Christmas opening??

Chadillaccc

Nov 23, 2011, 10:00 AM

Just did a massive overhaul of the New Westminster diagrams on the city's skyscraper page.

Took it from 1 last week, to 8 yesterday, now (if they all get approved) 27 tomorrow.

Hope someone with a bit more skill in diagram making can help me out with them, they're not the greatest but not bad seeing as I just started doing diagrams for Burnaby a few weeks ago.

McPaul

Nov 26, 2011, 2:39 AM

Lots of activity in the a&w today... Apparently it's going to be a 24 hour A&W.

McPaul

Dec 2, 2011, 2:21 PM

Tim hortons
Bell
Vera burger
Samosa express

Now confirmed tenants

Looks like the bread garden has pulled out.

osirisboy

Dec 2, 2011, 2:48 PM

I thought bread garden folded and turned into BG something

officedweller

Dec 2, 2011, 11:47 PM

They're franchised - the BG Urban cafe etc. is just a rebranding of the chain.
There's one on Granville St in the Vancouver Block.

SpongeG

Dec 3, 2011, 5:04 AM

isn't nestle toll house cafe also opening? i thought i saw it when i passed by on the train the other day...

from nowhere to eat in that area to an overabundance of places :)

McPaul

Dec 3, 2011, 6:35 AM

isn't nestle toll house cafe also opening? i thought i saw it when i passed by on the train the other day...

from nowhere to eat in that area to an overabundance of places :)

Yes. Nestlé toll house is on the theater level beside Vera's Burger.

Yes, I'm curious if they will get the traffic needed to maintain all these places other than the core restaurants... Time will tell.

Oh.. Most of Safeway was viewable today after they started to peel back soe of the plastic. Looking good... Can't wait!!

Skyhigh8

Dec 4, 2011, 1:59 AM

pass there ealier of the week, looks pretty exciting.:tup:

usog

Dec 4, 2011, 2:07 AM

Man, if it were ever possible to get up on the skytrain bridge at night when service is over with a camera+tripod the pictures of New West would probably be awesome with everything built up.

Chadillaccc

Dec 4, 2011, 2:44 AM

Major photo update :)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6450086857_860596e6cf_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6450085631_d52ef4bccc_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6450084391_16bacb8a8f_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6450083071_d1a949582e_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6450081005_644bcec071_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6450079559_da2b428253_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6450078345_fdb021640d_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6450076225_dc4d1eef83_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6450073841_e62b86d239_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6450072605_6c1f4c72d3_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6450071095_3dcc8a8995_z.jpg
Source: me

logan5

Dec 4, 2011, 6:55 AM

Just noticed there's a 3d model on Google Earth now. How long has that been there?

Anyways, with the Safeway opening, I wonder if this will spur a redevelopment of the IGA site only a few blocks away. Maybe have the IGA fronting 10th St. to draw customers from Plaza 88.

You could fit 5 or 6 residential towers on that site. (IGA Site)

Chadillaccc

Dec 4, 2011, 7:13 AM

That IGA plaza is like brand new. It was finished in 2009 I think...

logan5

Dec 4, 2011, 7:32 AM

usog

Dec 4, 2011, 7:35 AM

2009? Seems like it's been around longer than that.

The owners must be thinking redevelopment. Now with Plaza 88, the rest of Downtown New West is becoming a far more interesting place to shop or go out to eat. Who's gonna want to go to a strip mall?

Yeah the IGA and the buildings directly connected to it have been there for a while but if I remember right the detached buildings closer to the Skytrain tracks are pretty new, it used to be all parking lot.

hollywoodnorth

Dec 4, 2011, 7:52 AM

That IGA plaza is like brand new. It was finished in 2009 I think...

what ever your smoking .... can you share some with me??? :)

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/new_westminster/1991/nwh1991_011.jpg
pic from http://www.globalairphotos.com/large/BC/New_Westminster/Downtown/1991/011/2

as you see ..... 20 YEARS ago ... it was there..... so 2 years is a bit off .... just a little bit ;) yes they added a new retail building where the LD was .... but that was just a small redevelopment.

hollywoodnorth

Dec 4, 2011, 7:56 AM

Anyways, with the Safeway opening, I wonder if this will spur a redevelopment of the IGA site only a few blocks away. Maybe have the IGA fronting 10th St. to draw customers from Plaza 88.

You could fit 5 or 6 residential towers on that site. (IGA Site)

absolutely I can see that filling in 1 tower at a time. that project already has 1 tower a part of it on the North corner ... see here >> http://g.co/maps/pybkc

Chadillaccc

Dec 4, 2011, 10:18 AM

Oh shit! I didn't realize that. It all looks very new :S Sorry, I shouldn't make estimates anymore :P

You are right though... that complex reminds me of Old Orchard in Metrotown, strip malls in very densely built up areas. Prime for redevelopment. It would be interesting to see downtown new west expand to the west like that. They would have to do it right though. Not crappy chains like in the new mall, but unique bars and shops and stuff. Definitely need to improve access to the water as well!

red-paladin

Dec 4, 2011, 3:48 PM

Yeah the IGA and the buildings directly connected to it have been there for a while but if I remember right the detached buildings closer to the Skytrain tracks are pretty new, it used to be all parking lot.

The London Drugs was removed and the buildings that have the darker metal roofs were added in it's place.

SpongeG

Dec 4, 2011, 7:53 PM

yeah the IGA has been there since the early 90's

I drove past last night and they had some cool lighting effects on under the skytrain track thing

vanman

Dec 4, 2011, 8:44 PM

^ Yeah I was in the area last night and saw that as well. Looked like blue LEDs illuminating the guideway supports. Apparently it's been proven that blue lighting can actually lower the crime rate by a significant percentage in public areas. I wonder if this is the rationale behind it or if its a mere coincidennce. Either way it looks good.

cc85

Dec 5, 2011, 3:59 AM

The TTC uses blue lights to identify their buses. It's incredibly helpful to spot buses amongst the traffic.

peterprinciple

Dec 5, 2011, 4:41 AM

"Ugly is as ugly does sir."

GOD this thing is ugly...Here's to the City of New Westminster taking the city council and mayor to court to recall the re-elected members and sue the former members of council for misrepresentation. Sue the developer for lieing about the finished product.

hankthetank

Dec 5, 2011, 6:19 AM