Capitol Residences | 126m | 42fl | Completed

[mr.x]

Capitol Residences

Peter Wall of Wall Financial Corp. is giving the legendary Capitol 6 theatre site on Granville and Robson streets a new lease on life, respecting this historic property with a majestic 43-storey skyscraper. To become the area's tallest residential address, The Capitol Residences will add a vibrant new dimension to this already energetic neighbourhood.

Wall and longtime marketing friend Bob Rennie, of Rennie Marketing Systems, will soon unveil plans for Capitol Residences, an elliptical tower designed by Howard Buigham Hail and being developed by majority partner Wall Financial along with Rob Macdonald of Macdonald Development Corp.

"Peter Wall has great respect for the history of the site and its significance to the city," says Rennie. The intention with Capitol Residences is to put this property back on the map as a Vancouver landmark. Plus, in a time when there are so few residential development sites in the downtown core, we wanted to take advan*tage of the amazing location."

Most Vancouveritcs associate the site as the home of the aging Capitol 6 theatre, but the property has a far longer history than its life as a six-screen Famous Players multiplex. It was originally the home of the Capitol Theatre, a live theatre and music house with its own orchestra and a renowned Wurlitzer organ, reputed to be the largest of its kind in Canada at the time. The theatre was demolished in the early 1970s and replaced with the Capitol 6 multiplex, which closed its doors only recently after more than 30 years in operation.

Now, with Capitol Residences, Wall Financial is intent on rejuvenating the site to its original grandeur. According to Rennie, the 372 apartments in Capitol Residences will appeal to a wide range of buyers. Those seeking larger homes will likely be attracted to the spacious, well-appointed condominiums on the upper floors of the tower, with features including airconditioning, high-ceilings and expansive views. Rennie stresses that there will also be plenty of apartments in Capitol at affordable prices from the 30th floor down, ranging from 550 to 1,100 square feet and which still offer the penthouse quality and finishings for which all Wall projects have become known.

As a nod to its musical origins, Capitol will feature a music school on the ground level: Peter Wall, a long‑ time supporter of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, has committed to building a total of S20-million in cultural amenities, including a 6,497-square-foot extension of the Orpheum Theatre stage, a 14,514-square-foot rehearsal room and tie 24,005-square*foot music school. The commitment is the result of the largest culwral-amenity density bonus in the city's history.

The theatre, which opened in 1927 as a vaudeville house, was once the largest and most opulent threates on the Pacific Coast. It was bought by the city in 1974 and reopened in 1977 as the permanent home of vthe Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Although an interior restoration was done with a restored concert hall more work was needed.

The developers have agreed to provide a recital hall and extend the back of the house. There will also be a new community music school on site. (See sidebar story for more information from a city perspective.)

And while this development does promise to be a benefit to the entire community those actually living there have the most to gain. Condo owners themselves will enjoy amenities, such a 24-hour concierge, an overheight wall to wall glass lobby, a landscaped terrace, fully-equipped gym, tv lounge with pool table and a reading room, meeting rooms with a kitchenette, and a Eco co-op auto network on site.


Height: 126 metres/414 feet
Floors: 42
Construction end: 2010
- Will include major expansion to the Orpheum Theatre, home of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
- Largest amenities trade-off in city history.
- A 35-story residential tower is situated on top of a 7-story podium, including ground floor retail.
- The Capitol 6 Theatre complex was prepared for demolition during the week of October 23, 2006.
- Originally the site of the Capitol Theatre, a live theatre and music house with its own orchestra and a renowned Wurlitzer organ, the largest of its kind in Canada at the time. The theatre was demolished in the early 1970's and replaced with the Capitol 6 multiplex, which was then demolished for this building.
- The tower is elliptical in design and the tallest residential building in its neighbourhood.
- The $20 million in cultural amenities includes a 6,497 square foot extension of the Orpheum Theatre stage, a 14,514 square foot rehearsal room and a 24,005 square foot music school on the ground level.



http://www.lestwarog.com/admin/uploads/building/main_image/1164055639building.jpg

http://www.lestwarog.com/admin/uploads/article/moreimages/2214.jpg

http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/sixwm/2006/05/458755.jpg

http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/sixwm/2007/05/534805.jpg

http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/sixwm/2006/05/458892.jpg



Orpheum Theatre right next door
http://www.clubvibes.com/images/listings/logos/1294.JPG
http://www.lestwarog.com/819seymour/images/8.jpg
http://www.lestwarog.com/819seymour/images/9.jpg

[mr.x]

Construction - July 2007
http://www.lestwarog.com/819seymour/images/4.jpg

http://www.lestwarog.com/819seymour/images/2.jpg

http://www.lestwarog.com/819seymour/images/3.jpg

http://www.lestwarog.com/819seymour/images/6.jpg

http://www.lestwarog.com/819seymour/images/5.jpg

[SFUVancouver]

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/2043/capitolresidencesexcavavw2.jpg
(my photo)

[Canadian Mind]

How deep are they digging the hole?

[giallo]

Good. That corner needs some love.

[officedweller]

They are still blasting the excavation pit for the project. Probably still a ways to excavate due to the number of underground parking levels.

[WarrenC12]

Is this project still on pace to complete in 2008?

[officedweller]

2008? There's no way - they haven't finished excavating yet (I still hear the blasting signals), let alone started pouring any concrete.

[WarrenC12]

2008? There's no way - they haven't finished excavating yet (I still hear the blasting signals), let alone started pouring any concrete.

So what's the updated date? It seems like things just keep cropping up... "under construction" seems to go on forever.

[jlousa]

Completetion has always been late 2010 for this project, it's still on track for that.

[WarrenC12]

Somebody edit the top post. :)

[Dylan Leblanc]

Done

[SFUVancouver]

Capitol Residences

It looks like they have finally finished excavation.
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/6602/p1050636xr1.jpg
(My photo, taken March 1st, 2008)

There is now a Potain crane at the site and the sidewalk passes directly beneath it. This affords pedestrians an unusual view.
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/6654/p1050639wc4.jpg
(My photo, taken March 1st, 2008)

[Jarrod]

I saw Tori Amos at the Orpheum in December. What a beautiful theatre! This tower looks pretty nice, I can't wait to see the finished product!

[vanman]

I took this today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction/DSC01677.jpg

[SFUVancouver]

Capitol Residences
http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/7424/capitolrespitaug12008p1qp7.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, August 1st, 2008.

[hollywoodnorth]

nice! thx :)

[officedweller]

Capitol seems to be getting closer to grade. Pic by me today.

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5261/pb140868ri6.jpg

[Yume-sama]

Oh God. I was paranoid it would be an article about this getting canceled.

I didn't want to click :( But nice pic. :)

[LeftCoaster]

The rebar is actually well above grade now. The core is on an angle so it looks kinda cool from street level.

[Metro-One]

haha, i was scared too, today when clicking on Jameson i was thinking, oh good, some update pictures, i hope they are above grade now.

[jlousa]

I like that they are using an attached concrete pump it will speed things up for them consinderable.

[officedweller]

Yeah, there's a hose that runs into the site under a bump in the sidewalk.

[Yume-sama]

I am now placing all of my hopes on this building, Hotel Georgia, and Fairmont Pacific Rim.

Don't you let me down!

[Metro-One]

:previous: I feel the exact same, at least the fairmont is far along in its construction.

My top favorite projects!

1 - RC :( (i have 30% hope for this one now.)
2 - the Hotel Georgia - Please make it!
3 - The Jameson :( (i still have high hopes for this one, maybe 70%)
4 - Capitol - you are above grade now, keep it up! (no pun intended)
5- West Pender Place - Any updates??????

And my top projects in the Valley

1 - Metro Tower 3 (just because it is a real office tower)
2 - Sky Towers :( Please come back!!!!!
3 - Plaza 88 - Go, go as fast as you can!
4 - Infinity :(

My goodness they are dropping like flies!

Come on capital, you can make it!

[Yume-sama]

Capitol sold out in a matter of weeks when it first came on... really the only thing that could hurt it is the evil banks. They wouldn't do that to us... would they :hell:

We need this building, and the upgrades to the Orpheum.

[Metro-One]

Sky Towers sold out too, in record time :( :( :(

[red-paladin]

Metro-one, metrotown is in the valley? Come on :) too many hot koreans

[Metro-One]

haha, well technically we are all in the Fraser valley, but yes i meant the metro area. And yes there are a lot of hot koreans around here.

[jlousa]

Not sure why anyone thinks there's even a doubt about the Fairmont Pacific Rim. I can assure you that one will complete. It should top out just into the the New Year and complete in the fall/09.

[Architype]

Not sure why anyone thinks there's even a doubt about the Fairmont Pacific Rim. I can assure you that one will complete. It should top out just into the the New Year and complete in the fall/09.

Anything that is mostly structurally complete should be safe and finished eventually at worst. Has anyone started a thread of cancelled projects yet?

[Yume-sama]

Capitol has sent out a letter to all purchasers informing them that...

They are currently pouring the ground floor
Windows will start appearing in the Spring
And completion date is on schedule for late 2011 / Early 2012

Along with saying how strong the company is, and not to worry, they have good financing, and with the coming Olympics, like in 1986 with the Expo, Vancouver will be inviting the World... and they won't want to go home. They speak honestly about how many condos aren't selling, but are now being rented out, which is good for Vancouver as rental units have not been built in the last 10 years and now buyers can make money on their assets with that. Of course they also say with the volatile stock market, Real Estate is still the best investment, and they see things turning around in 2009, and certainly before 2011 / 12.

Oh yes, and both TD & BMO are offering really good mortgages to buyers :P

[NewfBC]

Capitol has sent out a letter to all purchasers informing them that...

They are currently pouring the ground floor
Windows will start appearing in the Spring
And completion date is on schedule for late 2011 / Early 2012

Along with saying how strong the company is, and not to worry, they have good financing, and with the coming Olympics, like in 1986 with the Expo, Vancouver will be inviting the World... and they won't want to go home. They speak honestly about how many condos aren't selling, but are now being rented out, which is good for Vancouver as rental units have not been built in the last 10 years and now buyers can make money on their assets with that. Of course they also say with the volatile stock market, Real Estate is still the best investment, and they see things turning around in 2009, and certainly before 2011 / 12.

Oh yes, and both TD & BMO are offering really good mortgages to buyers :P


Uh Oh.

Ron.

[Yume-sama]

Uh Oh.

Ron.

What's Uh Oh-ish about that. :cool: :cheers:

[osirisboy]

well thats good news

[officedweller]

All must be well - new crane going up today (Saturday Dec 13th) - pic by me:

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/6088/pc130918df1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/pc130918df1.jpg/1/w600.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img100/pc130918df1.jpg/1/)

[flight_from_kamakura]

great pic! nice view of the dolce site as well.

[ckkelley]

^
Cool news, this is a surprise to me. I walk by Capitol just about everyday and its seems like its been an empty hole in the ground FOREVER!!

[officedweller]

What is it, 8 levels deep? Finally glad to see it getting out of the grond.

[Yume-sama]

Yep, 8 levels of underground parking. Some for Orpheum, some for residents and a secret removable wall for "future development" at the property nextdoor.

Glad to see it moving along! :D

[ckkelley]

Eight levels wow. Is this the deepest multi-level parkade in Vancouver?

[raggedy13]

Thanks for the pic officedweller. It'll be nice to have another taller tower to watch rise. I'm interested in seeing just how much of an impact the Capitol will have. It totally dwarfs all the other condos in the area in this rendering:

http://www.lestwarog.com/admin/uploads/article/moreimages/2214.jpg

[Jonovision]

Wow! Is that a winter rendering!? Developers never do that!

Nice tower btw

[Metro-One]

I just hope the people who move in this tower don't kill the vibe at Granville and Robson ;) I love the tower, but i sure wish it were office.

[officedweller]

Looks like that winter render exaggerates a bit on the height compared to the DP model
- it doesn't look twice as tall as Vancouver House in the model, while it does in the render.

Here are the heights of the neighbouring towers:

Preliminary DP application for Capitol says height to top of mech is 413.6ft
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/dpboard/2006/pdf/833seymour.pdf

Complete DP applications for Dolce Vita heights are:
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/dpboard/2006/pdf/535.565%20smithe.pdf

535 Smithe:
Elev. Mach.Room 322.11 ft.
arch. feature 348.25 ft.

565 Smithe:
Elev. Mach. Room 287.74 ft. (i.e. just a bit shorter than the taller Metropolitan Tower, which is about 300ft)
arch. feature 295.15 ft.

The architectural features on Dolce Vita are those helicopter-like blades at the top.

Here's the context model from the Capitol DP application - Model Shop website.
NOTE: These DP Application models show the OLD design for the Capitol tower.

http://www.modelshop.bc.ca/porty2/file/X000/X024/X024-1.htm

http://www.modelshop.bc.ca/porty2/file/X000/X024/X024-3.jpg

http://www.modelshop.bc.ca/porty2/file/X000/X024/X024-8.jpg

[ckkelley]

I just hope the people who move in this tower don't kill the vibe at Granville and Robson ;) I love the tower, but i sure wish it were office.

Every now and then you'll see/hear unlicensed (I'm guessing) busking involving amplified music that sets up shop at Granville and Robson. I'm sure it's cool for the people that are enjoying the entertainment district but I can't imagine the residents of the Capitol putting up with that.

Edit.

I'm not trying to pick a fight Metro-One, just making comment.

[Yume-sama]

I just hope the people who move in this tower don't kill the vibe at Granville and Robson ;) I love the tower, but i sure wish it were office.

:notacrook: I'll try not to.

Seeing as how it is on Seymour and Robson. Though my unit will be on the 40th floor facing Stanley Park / Canada Place so it should be quieter up there :P

[ckkelley]

:notacrook: I'll try not to.

Seeing as how it is on Seymour and Robson. Though my unit will be on the 40th floor facing Stanley Park / Canada Place so it should be quieter up there :P

Nice!

Sounds like a sweet suite! :cool:

[officedweller]

Noise still travels to the upper floors - it's unimpeded. i.e. at the office we hear a lot from the Art Gallery lawn and steps.

[Yume-sama]

Well, I don't really hear a thing on the 18th floor at L'Hermitage and I'm facing West Georgia, with Robson on the other side. Unless I open the balcony door :)

Some noise is to be expected, anyways. If I didn't want any I'd move out of downtown.

[officedweller]

TD Tower still has single pane glass.

[excel]

thanks for the update.

[djh]

Noise still travels to the upper floors - it's unimpeded. i.e. at the office we hear a lot from the Art Gallery lawn and steps.

Concrete balconies on the residential suites help absorb the sound waves coming up from the ground. On an office tower there is nothing in between the windows and the ground but air, so it's more likely the sound would be carried up and be heard.

[Architype]

Anyone living downtown should expect higher noise levels, but the type of noise really makes a difference. Screaming drunks is far worse and more irritating than traffic. In summer weather you pretty much have to leave windows open. A/C is a big energy waster in moderate weather.

[Yume-sama]

Capitol is not air conditioned until the 31st floor. And I look forward to taking advantage of it, just like I do in L'Hermitage.

Don't worry, I'll plant a tree.

[officedweller]

Pic by me today:

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/9533/p1140942wg8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/p1140942wg8.jpg/1/w600.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img522/p1140942wg8.jpg/1/)

[Hed Kandi]

Is the Capitol supposed to have any retail at the base ?

[vanman]

It's at grade now??? I'm in shock.

[jlousa]

It's acutally on the second level. :tup:

[vanman]

Whoah! This thread has been so dead for so long that I figured Capitol was still 50ft under.

[Yume-sama]

GO CAPITOL GO!!!

Can't wait to see it rising!

[Metro-One]

I was just thinking we still have quite a few fun buildings to watch rise. This one of course, The Georgia, fingers crossed for the RC, North Pender (not super tall, but i really like the deign of this one) and Metro tower 3 (simply because it is the only true office tower being built in the entire metro area).

[Delirium]

although not an architectual marvel, i'm also looking forward to Patina simply for the height it will bring to that area. it'll be very visible especially from english bay. AND the new YMCA looks kick ass. i walked passed the site yesterday and they appear to be on the 3rd floor now.

thanks for the update pics OD. curious as to why the core is angled like that on the Capitol?

[hollywoodnorth]

looks like a 2nd crane has gone up...........


once again Vancouver has 2 x 2 Crane on 1 Tower projects going on at the same time! This and The Georgia

[rather_draconian]

That's cool...I do wish this project had at least some of an office element to it though.

[officedweller]

There's symphony office space as part of the amenity - so while it's not commercial office space, there will be office workers and activity created as a result.

for the 2 crane 1 tower projects - add Patina (and Fairmont?)

[LeftCoaster]

That's cool...I do wish this project had at least some of an office element to it though.

Its not a huge deal as the telus parkade is right near Capitol and will include a large office tower.

Besides its nice having a tower this large be only residential and not a mixed use.

[Yume-sama]

Its not a huge deal as the telus parkade is right near Capitol and will include a large office tower.

Besides its nice having a tower this large be only residential and not a mixed use.

:sly: Is that still scheduled to ever happen?

[LeftCoaster]

Sure is, planning is ongoing.

Wont happen until the next cycle most likely, but you never know.

[Metro-One]

Was that the "stilts" proposal?

[LeftCoaster]

No that was a fantasy proposal for the Sutton Place Hotel. The Telus Parkade plan is much more rooted in reality.... in fact far too much so for some of our fellow fourmers (ie not tall but large).

[hollywoodnorth]

There's symphony office space as part of the amenity - so while it's not commercial office space, there will be office workers and activity created as a result.

for the 2 crane 1 tower projects - add Patina (and Fairmont?)

Fairmont seems back down to 1 last I was by there......

and for Patina.....its 2 cranes for the tower? or 1 for the low rise section and 1 for the tower portion?

[jlousa]

Nope Fairmont still has two. ;)

[hollywoodnorth]

Nope Fairmont still has two. ;)

cool so 3 x 2 crane on 1 tower projects at the same time ;)

I thought there was a recession going on?!?! ;)

[jlousa]

Well to be fair all those projects started before the recession. I don't think you'll see anything new with two cranes go up anytime soon.

[NewfBC]

cool so 3 x 2 crane on 1 tower projects at the same time ;)

I thought there was a recession going on?!?! ;)

Maybe there's a sale on cranes? :)

Ron.

[rather_draconian]

Why haven't we seen any renderings of what they are doing to the Orpheum? Or perhaps I'm the only one left in the dark?

[hollywoodnorth]

Well to be fair all those projects started before the recession. I don't think you'll see anything new with two cranes go up anytime soon.

I know i was just kidding around :) ;)

Maybe we will see Ritz still?

[s211]

Nope Fairmont still has two. ;)

Seeing double, are you? 'cause I'm looking at it right now, and trust me, there's only one on top.

[wrenegade]

Well to be fair all those projects started before the recession. I don't think you'll see anything new with two cranes go up anytime soon.

You don't think West Pender Place would be a two crane project? Isn't the shorter of the two towers still like 160 feet or something?

[LeftCoaster]

Yeah but we're talking one tower projects.

The only other chance I see is The Ritz Carlton. There have been plans for having both one and two tower crane options. I do not know which option they have chosen now but there is a good chance it will be just one due to the size constraints of the site.

[officedweller]

and for Patina.....its 2 cranes for the tower? or 1 for the low rise section and 1 for the tower portion?

For Patina one is much closer to Burrard and is too far to be attached to the tower as it rises, but it's still on site.

Even the shorter crane at Capitol may not have the jacking segment to increase in height. I can see that segment on the taller of the two cranes, but not on the shorter north crane.

[officedweller]

Capitol taken by me today:

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1015/p2170961rt2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/p2170961rt2.jpg/1/w800.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img209/p2170961rt2.jpg/1/)

[Yume-sama]

Thanks for the update :)

It's exciting to see it start to rise :D!

[LotusLand]

Thanks for the update!

[Hed Kandi]

Nice. This one should be fairly close to completion by the time the olympics roll around.

[sacrifice333]

Topped out and glazed, maybe. Complete by Feb 2010, doubtful.

[Delirium]

here;s another view. should start to rise pretty fast once they finish the podium

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3371/3334097955_a6dae7f0f7_b.jpg
photo by jim forest on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimforest/3334097955/

[wrenegade]

March 5th photo

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3351150182_6f2a997477_b.jpg

[Yume-sama]

Nice. This one should be fairly close to completion by the time the olympics roll around.

Well, close to topping out anyways.

Tentative completion date is late 2010 to Summer 2011 :)

[officedweller]

Those columns are pretty wide when you walk past on the sidewalk.

[Phil McAvity]

Wow, I thought this project died a while ago so it's great to see it still alive.

[officedweller]

Pic taken by me today - you can see a large room (rehearsal space?) at the base of the smaller crane:

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/1149/p3200964.jpg (http://img14.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p3200964.jpg)

[Delirium]

thanks for the update.

unrelated but i didn't realize that the podium for Dolce is larger than vita.

[vanman]

Thanks for the update.

[SFUVancouver]

Capitol Residences from Seymour
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/4046/capitolresidencesno1apr.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, April 11th, 2009

Capitol Residences from Robson
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/2007/capitolresidencesno2apr.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, April 11th, 2009

[officedweller]

Hopefully that corner with the framing store will be redeveloped soon so we won't have a huge blank podium wall for a long time.

[entheosfog]

Hopefully that corner with the framing store will be redeveloped soon so we won't have a huge blank podium wall for a long time.

Hmmm maybe where the restaurant is but I really like that corner and the shops beside it (if I'm thinking of the right block!). It's a kind of a 'lost' part of Robson' Street and has some charm, unlike many other parts of Robson.
Just my 2 cents...

EDIT: I was thinking of the wrong block, I was thinking of the block to the west up Robson where s'il vous plait is...oops.

[metroXpress]

Thanks for the update...

[Yume-sama]

Got notice that Capitol plans to be topped out before the 2010 Olympics, with completion in Spring - Summer 2011. :tup: