Espana | 96m & 100m | 33fl & 35fl | completed

[raggedy13]

ESPANA

http://www.lestwarog.com/admin/uploads/building/main_image/1170183589building3.jpg
letwarog.com

http://www.espanaliving.com/images/espana_highris.jpg
espanaliving.com

2 Towers, 1 Midrise (7 storeys), Retail/Townhouse Podium
Max Height: 100m
Tallest Tower: 35 storeys
Expected Completion: 2009
Neighbourhood: Downtown - International Village

Don't ask me how it is inspired by Spain, let alone classical Spain.

[raggedy13]

I forgot I had a pic of it from earlier this week as well (Dec 6)...

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/Dec%206%202007/101_0022.jpg

[Canadian Mind]

Probably interiors, ornamental features, landscaping, etc.

[mr.x]

Probably interiors, ornamental features, landscaping, etc.

pinyata shaped lamps and tortilla shaped counters? :D

[squeezied]

Don't ask me how it is inspired by Spain, let alone classical Spain.

haha i was just wondering about that!

[Smooth]

pinyata shaped lamps and tortilla shaped counters? :D

I think Spain is slightly different than Mexico.

[Canadian Mind]

pinyata shaped lamps and tortilla shaped counters? :D

"Espana"! Not "Latina"

Get your cultures right dude. just because Latin Americans speak spanish doesn't mean they are Spanish.

[mr.x]

awwww, you got my hopes up. i always wanted people to throw nachos behind me wherever i walked.

[Canadian Mind]

sorry dude. maybe at your wedding or summit. Nacho's instead of rice.

[SpongeG]

its "spain" because its part of "International" village

[officedweller]

Yeah, you'd be lookin' for sangria and tapas.

[mr.x]

anyhow, that area is amazing with all those condos....hopefully, all that density is helping International Village (is it still really empty? no change at all?)

[Canadian Mind]

its "spain" because its part of "International" village

"international Village"

That a new neighbourhood, or just a development slogan?

Either way, project is very nice.

[raggedy13]

Thanks for fixing the title up. I assume that was mr.x2. I just looked at emporis and the diagrams section and for whatever reason I couldn't find the height of the 2nd tower.

[raggedy13]

"international Village"

That a new neighbourhood, or just a development slogan?

Either way, project is very nice.

Well it's sort of new, but not really. I don't know when the area was first named "International Village" but certainly over 5 years ago, if not over 10. I think the first major tower in the area was Paris Place. After looking it up on emporis, it was completed in 1995. Since it is called "Paris Place" I assume the area was named International Village around that time. Then in 2000 came "Europa" and somewhere around that time I believe Tinseltown was added to the area as well. Now there is Firenze, named for Florence, and Espana. Anybody know of any other 'international' names in the area?

[Canadian Mind]

Thanks, kinda Ironic the area is near Olympic Venues IMO. should have taken the opportunity to redevelop more of that area by putting part or all of the Olympic village there.

[officedweller]

The tower above the mall is called "Europa".

"International Village" is the name for the whole Henderson project (4 blocks). Nowadays, people use it more for the mall - ie. that building actually says International Village above the doors.

I think Henderson had plans to move the project away from just being an extension of Chinatown (i.e. high end fashion shops that flopped) and adopted the International Village name. The ground floor of the mall was supposed to have a Chinatown style grocery / market area - as evidenced by the brass insets in the flooring of fruits, vegatables and animals. The second level was to be the high end shops and food fair with the Cinemark Tinseltown theatres on the third floor. Note that "Tinseltown" is a brand of Cinemark theatre - akin to "SilverCity" and "Colossus" for Cineplex/Famous Players. It's the only Cinemark theatre in Canada after expansion plans were halted.

[SpongeG]

thats too bad cinemark is pretty good

they are based out of texas i think and they have a lot of theatres in south america according to their website

they should open a cinemark in surrey central area - that area could use a movie theatre

[Coldrsx]

finally going to make that area come alive...maybe...and the mall potentially viable for once.

[leftside]

finally going to make that area come alive...maybe...and the mall potentially viable for once.

It's already more lively around that area. When coming home in the evening I certainly notice more "regular type" people. I think it will be quite a nice area of town once Espana is completed, and then of course you`ve got Woodwards and Paris Block one block to the north...

The storefronts in International Village on Abbott facing West are are getting a makeover at the moment. A new pub is also going into International Village on Abbott and Pender.

[Coldrsx]

^good to hear...i used to movie at Tinseltown a lot in 02'03' and while cheap and free parking, i couldnt believe how terrible the "area" was.

mind you there were shoring ponds fronting gm place at the time.

[officedweller]

Sounds good. International Village had wanted a brewpub for the second level near the food fair.

====

Yeah, Cinemark - "The best seat in town" - love the chairs.

[leftside]

^good to hear...i used to movie at Tinseltown a lot in 02'03' and while cheap and free parking, i couldnt believe how terrible the "area" was.
The one block along Abbott between Pender and Hastings is still pretty bad due to a concentration of SRO's and meth clinics - which of course attract the drug dealers... though I've seen more arrests lately. Amazing the difference one block makes in this part of town.

Hopefully this shady section along Abbott will get squeezed by the developments to the north and south. What really needs to happen though is the dispersion of the clinics to another area of town and one of the SRO`s converted to a market condo (with hopefully a corresponding SRO created elsewhere).

[vanman]

Construction pics from today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction060.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction059.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction061.jpg

[raggedy13]

Great pics Vanman. Espana seems to be going up pretty quick now. The exterior going up in that last pic looks interesting. I kind of like the darker than typical blue of that spandrel.

[vanman]

^I noticed that as well. At least it's darker than the original greyish renders but I do think that there is way too much blue glass in Vancouver already.

[officedweller]

I'm disappointed with the spandrels on this one - especially after Firenze turned out so well.
There was another model pic or rendering that showed the tower in the form that is being built (as opposed to the first pics in this thread). Looks too chopped up due to the spandrels.

Pic from the Vancouver Real Estate Blog:

http://rolandlewis.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/espana-towers.jpg

[raggedy13]

I do think that there is way too much blue glass in Vancouver already.

Agreed. Too much spandrel in Vancouver already as well. I'm just glad it isn't beige/grey but I'll have to reserve my ultimate judgement for a time when it's closer to completion.

[officedweller]

I'd throw this project in with Mariner and Flagship as disappointments (and the back side of Flatiron and Sapphire).

[excel]

Thanks for the construction updates.

[vanman]

I'd throw this project in with Mariner and Flagship as disappointments (and the back side of Flatiron and Sapphire).

Unfortunately I don't ever expect much from Concord Pacific.

[officedweller]

Some of their early projects are quite nice - before the leaky condo crisis and the move to all glass curtain walls with spandrel panels.

[jlousa]

To clarify this isn't Concord Pacific, it's a Henderson Project.

[officedweller]

He was referring to Mariner & Flagship that I mentioned (and I was gradually getting off topic by referencing them too)

[SFUVancouver]

Espana (Abbot and something, beside the Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain stn)
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3918/p1040895rd1.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) My photo, taken January 15th

[officedweller]

Pretty close to the traffic circle isn't it?

[raggedy13]

Espana (Abbot and something, beside the Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain stn)

Keefer (Street) Circle ;)

[excel]

For some reason its called Keefer Place west of Carrall st.

[leftside]

I'm really liking how this project is taking shape. I walk past it every day on the way to the Skytrain. I like how it follows the roundabout and how it is fairly symmetrical to the other side of the roundabout.

[vanman]

Espana as seen from Crackpipe Park.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction/DSC01660.jpg

Stadium station.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction/DSC01663.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction/DSC01662.jpg

[mr.x]

looking good...thanks!

[SFUVancouver]

Thanks for all the updates today Vanman. You really put in a solid day's work with your camera.

[excel]

this one is growing nicely.

[SFUVancouver]

Espana March 17th

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7360/p1050904qm4.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) My photo, taken March 17th, 2008

[vanman]

Taken on April 4
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction3/DSC01791.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction3/DSC01790.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction3/DSC01725.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction3/DSC01724.jpg

[jlousa]

Interesting how both the towers are listed as close to the same height but the 2nd one isn't popping up yet while the 1st one isn't too far from topping out. I'd say 3 months max.

[officedweller]

Thanks.

Probably a labour shortage, so they do one tower at a time?

I just noticed that the colouring on Espana matches the colouring on Paris Place (across the circle). Not that bad really (but not as nice as Firenze).

[Delirium]

update from today from flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/2401446506_529ae56f1d_b.jpg
source; http://www.flickr.com/photos/24320600@N04/2401446506/

[Hed Kandi]

update from today from flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/2401446506_529ae56f1d_b.jpg
source; http://www.flickr.com/photos/24320600@N04/2401446506/

Every time I see the red, blue, and yellow accents of the Spectrum towers, I feel the onset of nausea

[osirisboy]

^ why do you dislike the color strips so much? didnt you mention how much you also hate the red on the ritz too? for me thats the best part of the buildings.

[Yume-sama]

It definitely adds... character... much like a childrens playground.

[djh]

It definitely adds... character... much like a childrens playground.

:haha:

[Yume-sama]

You'd have a hard time persuading me to think the colors weren't inspired by something like this :P

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/419430882_1f921db7b7_b.jpg
^ corydalus on flickr.

[Cypherus]

It's just opinion expression on the colors, much like "I like chocolate" vs. "I like Vanilla." Neither opinion is false. Anyways, I like the colors - they add some color to a bedroom community saturated in transluscent glass.

[Hed Kandi]

You'd have a hard time persuading me to think the colors weren't inspired by something like this :P

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/419430882_1f921db7b7_b.jpg
^ corydalus on flickr.

Translink obviously used these colors as an inspiration for Vancouver's skytrain system. :doh:

[SFUVancouver]

Espana tower 1 | April 22 2008

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/74/espanaapril222008smallru2.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) My photo, taken April 22nd, 2008.

[vanman]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction4/DSC01864.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction4/DSC01865.jpg

[raggedy13]

Some pics from yesterday:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2255/2539346439_ac023f6d83_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2006/2540181674_a558f1570a_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/2539358891_de76cf00cd_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2141/2540061224_580aa630fd_b.jpg

[excel]

thanks for the updates.

[Punkster]

update from today from flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/2401446506_529ae56f1d_b.jpg
source; http://www.flickr.com/photos/24320600@N04/2401446506/

Can you imagine if they sold the air rights above skytrain right here and had the entrances for the buildings off the viaduct? That'd be so cool! :awesome:

[Phazed]

Hey guys, noobie here but I'm a long time lurker, as I've found this site to be a great time-killer. Anyways, given that I have the rest of the summer off, I thought I'd tried to contribute to this board.

*Note that I'm quite new to photography and this is the first time I've posted pictures on a message board, so sorry if the quality sucks.
(All pics by me taken on July 28/08)

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff336/rick__lee/DSC00035.jpg

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff336/rick__lee/DSC00036.jpg

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff336/rick__lee/DSC00018.jpg

[officedweller]

Thanks!
These towers haven't turned out as badly as the model suggested (not as nice as the neighbouring Firenze, but the colour matches Paris Place across the traffic circle).

[raggedy13]

Welcome to the forum Phazed, and thanks for the pics!

[excel]

thanks for the updates dude.

[SpongeG]

with woodwards down the block this street looks walltastic :)

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff336/rick__lee/DSC00018.jpg

[deasine]

love how woodwards and espana is in one picture =P welcome =) and trust me u'll be wasting killing off more time (or wasting) once u are a member *winks*

[Phazed]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys :)

Thanks!
These towers haven't turned out as badly as the model suggested (not as nice as the neighbouring Firenze, but the colour matches Paris Place across the traffic circle).

They look decent when viewed from that angle but I'm not too fond of its east(?) side. I think there's a few pics on the previous page.

[Kwik-E-Mart]

The name is still giving me chuckles... I didn't know the architectural specialty in Spain is the glass tower!

[SpongeG]

its part of "international" village - makes sense in that regard

[SFUVancouver]

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/2451/espanaaug72008p1080802bh9.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, August 7th, 2008.

[raggedy13]

A few updates taken by me earlier today:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3292356694_20a1f8a58e_b.jpg

It looked like they were starting installation of the public art feature in the centre of Keefer Circle
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3549/3292356926_4e0a2466b1_b.jpg

One of the towers visible to the right
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3291541533_f09a38122d_b.jpg

[vanman]

I really like that last photo's vantage point. Looks like a decent streetwall is now shaping up.

[rather_draconian]

The podium above the stores on Keefer Circle looks like it needs a good powerwash!

[officedweller]

Thanks.
Espana has turned out better than expected. The tower closer to Firenze has nice lines. The other, not so much, but it is more hidden. The blue colour works well with the older Paris Place tower across the traffic circle. Also glad they matched the podium of the circle with the older Paris Palce side - even though it looks dated.

WRT streetwall - Abbott is the only major redeveloped area with a decent streetwall (even taller than newer ones on Robson Street) - could be due to the proximity to Gastown and the older midrise buildings in the area. Looks good - much more urban than other areas of town.

[leftside]

I am absolutely amazed at the transformation of Abbott Street from Pacific to Pender and Cordova to Water in the last 5 years. The section between Pender and Hastings is still sketchy, but hopefully the Woodwards will improve that section as well.

The pub on Abbott between Hastings and Cordova is currently being renovated. Due to open again sometime in March.

[jlousa]

That's the Met, it wasn't even in bad shape as it was. I think the towers at Espana turned out pretty good, I'm still not liking the podium though. The height is great but it doesn't flow right and looks off. I feel the same way about TV towers.

[officedweller]

I'm beginning to like the TV Tower base - the cladding has gone up on it and the columns are now dark gray which ties in to the black walls of the townhouses. Still don't like that mauve on the taller tower.

[LizClaire]

The lights are on but NO ONE is home at Espana.

I've noticed in the last 3 nights, exactly, the top of one of the towers is glowing. I mean, its white bright all night. It's like when you realise you've left the fridge door open in the middle of the night, glowing.

In these days of energy conservation and global warming...I hope this isn't a permanent feature. Other high rises don't glow. It a serious waste of energy and their implementation looks cheap and gaudy.

Please say its not permanent.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3435026136_ab5eb154b2.jpg
My photo on flickr

[osirisboy]

wow I totally disagree with you^^

[rather_draconian]

I also like it.

[sono65]

Completely disagree, looks awesome. Just what we've been missing around here。:)

[Locked In]

I'm also in the "we could use more lighting effects" camp, provided they're responsible from an energy-conservation point of view and aren't causing a nuisance to the neighborhood. The building in which I currently live in is illuminated at the top by a piece of light-based artwork that responds to wind speed. It's quite visible around the neighborhood, and it's neat when you're out to see home in the distance and get a little weather info/light show in the process. I've yet to see it turn purple though!


Harbinger
The Met Tower, Toronto, Canada
I was commissioned to create an artwork for this 43-storey condominium development. Noting the streamlined design of the tower,
I proposed creating a light-based piece that signaled the wind speed at the top of the tower. The result is an artwork entitled
Harbinger. Utilizing LED technology and meteorological equipment, the ‘beacon area’ of the tower floods with coloured illumination
in accordance to a set wind speed/colour scale at night.
The piece has been active since late June of 2007.

http://www.adriangollner.ca/Harbinger_files/image002.jpg
http://www.adriangollner.ca/Harbinger_files/image003.jpg


Source: Adrian Gollner (http://www.adriangollner.ca/)

[LizClaire]

Perhaps my photo is vague ... I'll get some comparison shots of other, more aesthetic rooftops. Problem with photographing at night is light gets soft and bouncy in the image. And it was a bit humid last night.

Espana has some harsh glaring spotlights escaping from the box.

Will try to get some better shots, weather permitting.

[jlousa]

Agreed, lightening as public art/info is definitely in right now. Lighting w/o purpose is a big no-no. A local example which unfortunately isn't proceeding is the masts purposed for the GM Place office tower which would display the score of the game.

Unfortunately it wasn't designed to work that way, but imagine if Shaw Towers light spine measured temperature, it would be much more useful, blue for cold red for hot etc.

That Toronto one is great, thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[Locked In]

Unfortunately it wasn't designed to work that way, but imagine if Shaw Towers light spine measured temperature, it would be much more useful, blue for cold red for hot etc.


Not to go completely off-topic, but an example of how that could work is the Canada Life building on University Ave. in Toronto, which has apparently featured a light-displaying weather beacon since 1951!

The device uses a simple two-signal approach to illustrate the city's weather forecast. A colourful beacon light located at the top of the tower forecasts approaching weather systems, while the second signal, displayed by the lights that are affixed to the support tower, indicates variations in temperature.
Source: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Life_Building)

My photo:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/SeIvAiJPZEI/AAAAAAAAAcE/UcrIMP600SA/s800/IMG_1190.jpg

[officedweller]

I like it too. Depends on how it is lit.
LEDs would use hardly any electricity and given the very white light described - the top could be lit with LEDs.
Even fluorescent tubes wouldn't use that much energy.

Compared to the Residences on Georgia crowns that also light up, Espana's seem to have a nice even brightness throughout.

[LizClaire]

Okay, here's a comparative photo. Compared to, say, Shaw or Shangri La, The Espana lightbox is boxy and bright. I just think it has no aesthetic benefit, and is a waste of energy.

BTW, I am looking forward to the W rising soon over Woodwards (what a hypocrite).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3331/3437991243_8100a496d7_b.jpg
Photo by me.

[Hed Kandi]

Okay, here's a comparative photo. Compared to, say, Shaw or Shangri La, The Espana lightbox is boxy and bright. I just think it has no aesthetic benefit, and is a waste of energy.

BTW, I am looking forward to the W rising soon over Woodwards (what a hypocrite).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3331/3437991243_8100a496d7_b.jpg
Photo by me.



Great photo. I love the new lighting!

[officedweller]

Taken within context, though, the Firenze Towers have uplighted crowns, so overall, the area has two Firenze Towers lit up, plus at least one of the Espana towers - and the grand-daddy Sun Tower. Also, the Espana box won't stand oput as much when other condo lights are on and off in the tower.

[Metro-One]

Okay, here's a comparative photo. Compared to, say, Shaw or Shangri La, The Espana lightbox is boxy and bright. I just think it has no aesthetic benefit, and is a waste of energy.

haha, there is no lighting effect on the Shangri-la! A christmas light would seem bright compared the Shangri-La. by the way those are fantastic pictures and that area is lit very nicely (i also love the Sun tower lighting)

[SpongeG]

will the "W" stay on? i imagine the residents won't like the red glow since its at window level for the towers
Espana looks great with the light box :)

[squeezied]

i have to agree with LizClaire, the lighting effect is a poor and unsuccessful way trying add aesthetic appeal. though i do think we could seriously use some lighting, just slabbing on an untastefully-done box doesnt really help. if you're gonna do it, do it right. dont cheap out

its just like concord throwing in a bunch of concrete coloured slabs in their condos in an otherwise mono-coloured and bland neighbourhood. if they want to add some appeal, dont cheap out and splash some flashy colours, try changing the regurgitated design they use for every condo.

[Vancity]

^Agreed.

i want more lighting, but you have a point - don't cheap out on it. i can't seem to find where the espana is in that photo posted by LizClaire.

[Vancity]

^Nevermind. I found it.

[Kodii]

^Nevermind. I found it.

That's not good, if you already can't pick it out from a crowd of towers :haha:

[Metro-One]

We need more Shaw tower style lighting effects.

[CBeats]

This has probably been described in another thread, but I was waiting for the bus near Georgia and Granville, and I looked southeast and there was a boxy ring of light around the top of this building. It would change colours and wipe around in rainbows and all sorts of things. I just stared at it for like 15 minutes before the bus came. People around me were doing it too.

These types of colourful changing light fixtures are what we should have more of in Vancouver. They look so good at night!

[martinishaker]

Probably L'hermitage

[CBeats]

Probably L'hermitage

Yup

[raggedy13]

^Indeed. Here is a blurry pic I took in February:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3312987461_a7e06072c7.jpg