Symphony Place - Dolce & Vita | 106 & 90 m | 31 & 28 fl | Completed

[raggedy13]

Symphony Place - Dolce (taller) & Vita (shorter)

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/l/kj/09/3/17/564/r4/91709eg_20.jpeg
http://vancouver.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAdLargeImage?AdId=114350951&img=http%3A%2F%2Fimg1.classistatic.com%2Fcps%2Fl%2Fkj%2F09%2F3%2F17%2F564%2Fr4%2F91709eg_18.jpeg

[raggedy13]

Some pics of the topped out Vita and rising Dolce that I took yesterday:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/3655898155_2f1b283847_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3415/3656694072_924bfbca6d_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3343/3656672340_f6b8048f04_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3634/3656672748_44432b172e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2439/3655900919_221a5b0fc2_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3634/3655899873_29707118e0_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3656695710_2d8865d066_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3656673040_3bb7756659_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3656696864_59c7d80e1c_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3656673360_f2a00afbbb_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3337/3655877983_6271440af3_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3656698040_b4263e0f01_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3655879381_6e53bcec8d_b.jpg

[raggedy13]

I also found this interesting video: http://www.liveatdolce.com/sub/video.html

[excel]

Thanks for the update.

[VanTowers]

You've been a busy guy ehhh Raggedy.
We should have had these two new threads a while ago

[Canadian Mind]

I like them. The breakup of the glass is very palatable when compared to the 100% glass towers in other parts of downtown. I'm a big fan of the brickwork.

[duener]

Re: the photos that show the powerlines in the alley

Does anyone know how that works? e.g. do they put the power lines underground only for that block and have them re-emerge on the other blocks? Or are they just going to put wooden poles back up and keep the power lines above ground?

[officedweller]

Some pics of the topped out Vita and rising Dolce that I took yesterday:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3656695710_2d8865d066_b.jpg


They probably just undergrounded them for the length of the project.
This seems pretty cramped as it is - now imagine the two (or three) parkade bridges across the alley.

Also in the other shot, looks like the art glass sculpture will be installed soon - should be interesting.

[LeftCoaster]

Doesn't the city have a policy of forcing new developments to bury the power lines?

[zivan56]

Those don't look like they are in use (or will be much longer). The transformers were taken down from them and I suspect the power lines and poles will be as well...

[officedweller]

Not sure if there is a policy or not.
Two issues come to mind - (1) in an earthquake the poles are a significant safety hazard - could come down - transformers close to buildings; and (2) the poles form a "unique" Vancouver streetscape.

[vanman]

Thanks for all the updates Raggedy. These towers are turning out quite a bit better than I anticipated. They remind me of L'hermitage in that respect.

[officedweller]

VITA had a coat of light yellow paint on it for the longest while - it's now been painted the same ubiquitous taupe as many towers in Donwtown South - its a slightly lighter version of the darker shade on Yaletown Towers. Has a slight purplish tinge to it.

[bulliver]

From Friday:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2424/3715517825_d9ae886b7b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/badcomputer/3715517825/)

[officedweller]

The "lanterns" at the top of the towers should look good.

[rather_draconian]

I'm sorry if this has been asked already, but do we know which retailers (if any) will be going into the base of these things?

[bulliver]

Just realized I have a shot of Dolce as well. Also from Friday
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/3716328256_08b3422a40_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/badcomputer/3716328256/)

[Locked In]

My photos, taken today:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/SmlH2kIRmJI/AAAAAAAAA6U/oWvEBcgrrMY/s800/IMG_9635.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/SmlH3dgv6RI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/mA6QDKGRcKU/s800/IMG_9637.JPG

[vanman]

That sculptural wall looks interesting but is kind of a letdown.

[officedweller]

It's not too bad - i.e. not gaudy or anything...

[Yume-sama]

Kind of just looks like the building was on fire and they never replaced the warped, burnt, brown, windows.

[sacrifice333]

Looks like they forgot the colour!

[officedweller]

DOLCE in the background... Pic by me
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/1079/p7281108.jpg (http://img268.imageshack.us/i/p7281108.jpg/)

[officedweller]

Pics by me today:
July 31, 2009

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/1524/p7311113.jpg (http://img24.imageshack.us/i/p7311113.jpg/)


http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/3819/p7311112.jpg (http://img377.imageshack.us/i/p7311112.jpg/)

[officedweller]

Pic by me today
Thursday, August 6th, 2009:

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7690/p8061115.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/i/p8061115.jpg/)

[radacal]

Drove by this one the other day and I have to say I was seriously underwhelmed.

[dreambrother808]

That sculptural wall looks interesting but is kind of a letdown.

It seemed to have so much more potential in the renders. :(

[officedweller]

Pics by me today - Monday, August 17th, 2009

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/729/p8171126.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/i/p8171126.jpg/)

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/9626/p8171130.jpg (http://img32.imageshack.us/i/p8171130.jpg/)

[raggedy13]

Thanks for the frequent updates, officedweller. Much appreciated.

[hollywoodnorth]

Thanks for the frequent updates, officedweller. Much appreciated.

agreed :) your da man OD! :cheers:

[vanman]

Sweet pics officedweller! I especially like that rare angle of the first pic.

[officedweller]

Not sure after Dolce tops out whether I'll even be able to see Capitol!

[wrenegade]

Pictures from Thursday August 20th

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3434/3846371139_d67aeeb878_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2639/3847160534_eec278e02d_o.jpg

Burried services between Dolce and Vita (only to have them back up through the parking lot across from Capitol)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/3846371679_30a4f03965_o.jpg

[officedweller]

Anyone else think it's odd that there's no awning along Smithe?

[officedweller]

Pic by me today - August 27th, 2009:

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9716/p8271140.jpg (http://img9.imageshack.us/i/p8271140.jpg/)

[wrenegade]

Some more from the 27th

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2497/3872191392_907f5fbf66_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/3872191592_80ea1fe46b_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2592/3871409581_19d91ab6be_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/3872192556_e72ebf65f6_o.jpg

[flight_from_kamakura]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/3872192556_e72ebf65f6_o.jpg

wow.

[SpongeG]

i like the glass along the parking area - passed it the other day - looks good

[officedweller]

Thanks!
Hadn't even noticed they put up the bridges linking the two garages.

[squeezied]

it looks like there will be retail. yes?

[nova9]

I'm really liking these new buildings with the LARGE podiums.

What's on the 2nd and 3rd floors in the podium behind the wavy glass? Is it a parking garage?

[officedweller]

Yes to retail.
Yes to parking (maybe with a bit of office at the perimeter on the Smithe side, I think (may have been deleted)).

[officedweller]

Pic by me today September 3, 2009 (glass going in on Dolce tower):

http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/7105/p9031145.jpg (http://img65.imageshack.us/i/p9031145.jpg/)

[G.O.B.]

Yes there is definitely going to be office, retail and above-ground parking (managed by Impark) in both Vita and Dolce.

The first retail tenant will be the Solterra presentation centre (moving from rented space down the block on Seymour) in Vita.

In case it's not obvious to everyone, the bridges are necessary because there's no entrance to the above-ground parking in Vita (only Dolce).

IMO, it's looking pretty nice. Thanks for the pictures.

[Locked In]

Dolce update (my photo, taken today):

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/Sq2kAPYlN_I/AAAAAAAABBY/0F2fofqZG-0/s800/IMG_0307.JPG

[officedweller]

Pic by me today Sept 18, 2009:

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3688/p9180107.jpg (http://img12.imageshack.us/i/p9180107.jpg/)

[officedweller]

Noticed that the brick columns at Dolce/Vita have single piece slabs of granite at their base (i.e. the plinth) - good quality finish!
The sidwalks are also being laid with bands of granite tiles in line with the tree wells (which have the same granite around their rim).

Pic by me today
September 24, 2009

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/7687/p9240112.jpg (http://img338.imageshack.us/i/p9240112.jpg/)

[SFUVancouver]

Dolce and Vita | September 24th ‘09

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1849/vitafromrichardssept240.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, September 24th, 2009

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3444/dolcefromrichardssept24.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, September 24th, 2009

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8562/dolceonseymoursept2409p.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, September 24th, 2009


http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2410/dolcewavyglasssept2409p.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, September 24th, 2009

[officedweller]

Pic by me today
September 30, 2009:

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6606/p9300116.jpg (http://img169.imageshack.us/i/p9300116.jpg/)

[officedweller]

Pic by me today (October 8, 2009)

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4696/pa080129.jpg (http://img16.imageshack.us/i/pa080129.jpg/)

[officedweller]

Noticed large frames for fabric awnings sitting on the Smithe sidewalk. They'll likely cover the tall windows on the podium.
Looked down the alley too - the drop-off area looks brightly lit - may turn out OK.

[deasine]

Great photos SFU. The glass facade of Dolce and Vita definitely adds some much needed texture.

[SFUVancouver]

^ Thanks for the compliment.

I really quite like how these two have turned out. I'm still looking forward to the porte corchere come together.

The block these two inhabit will keep us interested for years to come. There are at least three large tower parcels remaining.

I also really like how Richards is looking these days as the street trees mature and the sidewalks and buildings begin to gently weather. Richards is proving to be the showcase for Vancouverism. Now if only there were more Robson-style office podiums in the mix, especially on Davie.

[wrenegade]

The Porte Corchere is coming together. It was lit up in there the other night. I've been totally slacking on my photo taking lately, I'll grab a pic soon.

[TZTag]

Going up! Nice to see a few cranes at one time. Pics by me

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/4020157581_78d663ce60_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/4020156947_3ddf0c9e57_b.jpg

[LeftCoaster]

Great shots, I really like your view.

[officedweller]

Like that last one! Nice!

[Delirium]

the more this comes together the more i'm liking it actually. it definitely has a presence.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/Picture631.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/Picture630.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/Picture625.jpg

[duener]

^^that's a cool looking base. Looks more like a new warehouse and gives the street a more interesting streetwall than the usual row of downtown south townhouses.

[officedweller]

Taken by me today - October 20, 2009)
Note the brick on the north side of the podium.

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/4640/pa200132.jpg (http://img94.imageshack.us/i/pa200132.jpg/)

[wrenegade]

I think people are moving in now/or already have. If not, it seems very soon. All the lobby and porte cochere lights are on during the night. It's a great looking development. Also, I noticed large metal U shaped pieces on the sidewalk today. They look like awning supports.

[officedweller]

And the parkade is open for business on the Seymour side.
On the Smithe side near the alley, you can see the entrance for the residential lobby,
but there's also another entrance with elevator to the left. Presumably for the offices and the parking above?

[Locked In]

My photos, taken yesterday night:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/SuuG86fOznI/AAAAAAAABK4/t-y9pO8_iG4/s800/IMG_0479.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/SuuG9fZbxHI/AAAAAAAABK8/gkQCEA7rC9k/s800/IMG_0481.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/SuuG-CAYiOI/AAAAAAAABLA/UunhzG1Rmlw/s800/IMG_0480.JPG

[Hed Kandi]

:previous: :previous:
Looking Good!

[Canadian Mind]

nice, what exactly is that of? I've never seen this project in person.

[officedweller]

Looks good.

[raggedy13]

Thanks for the pics Locked In.

While I know they must be of Symphony Place, Canadian Mind has brought up a good point. A little info/context with photos would be nice in the future (that goes for all contributors - I may be guilty of this myself) as not all forumers religiously follow all threads, etc.

[vansky]

I have to say, looking at these photos make me very sad. we need culture and creativity. Toronto has a lot more variety in terms of architecture than us. just a comment on the things i see in terms of visual culture in this city, especially the ads, they look simple. a background photo plus some text, maybe sometimes with a bar or sth. you do notice that a lot walking around public places here. if you pay attention, then you know what I mean. vancouver might be the most consistently designed place in the world, but it sure needs some variety.

[Locked In]

nice, what exactly is that of? I've never seen this project in person.

It's the Port-Cochere (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porte-cochere) located at the base of Vita (shorter tower of the two), accessed from the alley that connects Smithe and Robson.

To see a render, go to Dolce's website (http://www.liveatdolce.com/), then go to 'Gallery', then 'Architecture', then 'Port-Cochere'.

[raggedy13]

Hmm... when I made that last post I thought this was the Downtown Vancouver Updates thread and therefore was surprised you didn't say the name of the development. Clearly I was a little too tired and out of it. :no:

Thanks for the extra info anyways, Locked In.

[officedweller]

Pic by me today - November 2, 2009.
Can't see VITA much anymore from this view.

http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/7083/pb020134.jpg (http://img2.imageshack.us/i/pb020134.jpg/)

[officedweller]

Dolce has now reached its setback -
so if the top is the same as the shorter tower, just 2 more floors and the mechanical penthouse.
Pic by me today (November 8, 2009):

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/6628/pb080152.jpg (http://img258.imageshack.us/i/pb080152.jpg/)

[Locked In]

My photos taken at an open house on the 20th floor of Vita today. ~$700,000:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/SvduLfmmhOI/AAAAAAAABNo/BTFFKBhSIBo/s800/IMG_2778.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/SvduK4gInGI/AAAAAAAABNk/D5eMmBana4g/s800/IMG_2777.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/SvduKAKUByI/AAAAAAAABNg/tGTfFPZRf1s/s800/IMG_2776.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/SvduDQFAfvI/AAAAAAAABNA/HLuEB1QvajA/s800/IMG_2768.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/SvduJqXfW6I/AAAAAAAABNc/c2UpcffyqGQ/s800/IMG_2775.jpg

My favourite:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/SvduF4Po6oI/AAAAAAAABNM/sq2MAjVkVEI/s800/IMG_2771.jpg

[jlousa]

These 2 turned out great, they really slipped under the rader but they turned out among the best of the current crop. Bodes wells for the other properties Solterra owns along that stretch.

[officedweller]

Agreed.
Does Solterra own the other properties on the same block?

[Chikinlittle]

The toilet right next to the floor to ceiling windows seems a bit... hmm... what's the word... ?

[Yume-sama]

That's quite a cramped bathroom, actually :P How big was this unit?

The finishings look pretty good, though, no kitchen shot?! :P

[Locked In]

^ Ya, I realized that I didn't get one when I got home. The kitchen wasn't great actually... open, but a giant structural pillar at the end of the counter. Not my favourite.
Anyways, it's 808 square feet. And I got the numbers mixed up above - it's actually on the 22nd floor, and ~$840K.

There were quite a few open houses at Vita today.

[wrenegade]

I took in a few open houses last weekend at Vita. Wasn't very impressed. I hated the bathrooms, and didn't like the fact that they didn't have fullsize stoves/ovens and fridges. Seems a lot of developments are going this way now, which is unfortunate. The outdoor hot tub on the 4th (5th?) floor was pretty slick though, and the quality seems up there. Just not too impressed with the design.

[WarrenC12]

I took in a few open houses last weekend at Vita. Wasn't very impressed. I hated the bathrooms, and didn't like the fact that they didn't have fullsize stoves/ovens and fridges. Seems a lot of developments are going this way now, which is unfortunate. The outdoor hot tub on the 4th (5th?) floor was pretty slick though, and the quality seems up there. Just not too impressed with the design.

What was the problem with the bathrooms?

I had a studio with a full-size stove. Kind of funny for a bachelor pad, and really I would have appreciated more space. I had an "apartment size" dishwasher that was perfect though, no need to run a half-empty machine, or wait a long time between washes.

[Yume-sama]

^ Ya, I realized that I didn't get one when I got home. The kitchen wasn't great actually... open, but a giant structural pillar at the end of the counter. Not my favourite.
Anyways, it's 808 square feet. And I got the numbers mixed up above - it's actually on the 22nd floor, and ~$840K.

There were quite a few open houses at Vita today.

:sly: $840k for 808 square feet??? :runaway:

I didn't know people could still get away with selling for $1040 per sq. ft.

[Hed Kandi]

:sly: $840k for 808 square feet??? :runaway:

I didn't know people could still get away with selling for $1040 per sq. ft.


Harbour Green 3 is selling for $3000 per square foot.

[Yume-sama]

Harbour Green 3 is selling for $3000 per square foot.

Yes, but those are luxurious and not marketed towards mere mortals :P

[Hed Kandi]

Yes, but those are luxurious and not marketed towards mere mortals :P

:haha:

[johnjimbc]

I have to think some of these price points at Vita are just dream markers. Yes, the market has gained back a little ground. But these prices are like a 20% increase from comparable sales I've seen lately, maybe even more than that.

The units look nice, but they don't look 20% more stunning ;).

I think it's hard to even compare anything in Harbour Green. Don't the units there start at 1800 sq ft and go up from there. The price points are higher because it's like buying a full size house in the sky. I'd love to extrapolate some cost per block delta but it just doesn't add up ;). We may as well be comparing prices on Venus vs Jupiter when it comes to some of Vancouver's sub-markets. I find it rather funny. You don't even see price point deltas like this in New York City for places that are mere blocks away from each other.

[Locked In]

My photo, taken today from Yaletown Park:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/SvuV33O0RmI/AAAAAAAABQ0/e19J0HdJOd8/s800/IMG_0524.JPG

[officedweller]

Thanks.

BTW - the awning frames have been attached to the Smithe side of the VITA podium - looks good.

[mcminsen]

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/7550/dsc00646j.jpg
my photo, taken today from my balcony on Homer St., Dolce in background, Atelier on right, notice first setback on Dolce

[officedweller]

Thanks.
Never noticed that the podium of Atelier was shorter than the 889 Homer podium (where they meet).

[Locked In]

My photos, taken today:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/Sv9D_g-de8I/AAAAAAAABRk/Ydg35T7ZkFQ/s800/IMG_0528.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/Sv9EAkOPPQI/AAAAAAAABRo/chpJ14wSMUU/s800/IMG_0529.JPG

[PPAR]

:shrug: Yes, but those are luxurious and not marketed towards mere mortals :P

Rather, they are marketed to the self absorbed, who will end up paying $2000 a square foot, believing they got a 30% discount just because they are naturally awesome (nobody will actually pay the $3000 asking).

[mcminsen]

The new awnings on Vita, coincidentally (?) very similar to the Moda Hotel's black awnings across Smithe St.

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/83/dsc00690o.jpg
My pic. Nov. 17 '09

[mcminsen]

The Vita awnings on the Smithe St. side.

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/5238/dsc00688b.jpg
My pic. Nov. 17 '09

[officedweller]

Nice pics, thanks.

The awnings look great. For Dolce next door, the first floor window height is taller, so it looks like there'll be more window above the awnings on that podium (like the awnings closest to the alley on Vita).

[wrenegade]

The new awnings on Vita, coincidentally (?) very similar to the Moda Hotel's black awnings across Smithe St.

The guy who owns Solterra also owns the Moda hotel. And Cibo/Uva/Red Card. It's his fun project apparently. So kinda makes sense.

[officedweller]

Pic by me today:

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8910/pb240165.jpg (http://img21.imageshack.us/i/pb240165.jpg/)

[mcminsen]

Early morning porta-potty delivery for the roof crew at Dolce. :-)

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2126/dsc00779xl.jpg
My pic. Taken Friday Nov. 27th '09

[dreambrother808]

Early morning porta-potty delivery for the roof crew at Dolce. :-)

When I worked in construction, we always had a certain sympathy for the guy who drove around cleaning port-a-potties all day.
It gave us the satisfaction that no matter how rough our job was, it could be worse. ;)

[SFUVancouver]

Can you imagine the consequences if a full port-o-potty were to fall from the crane?


Also, a photo request. Could someone please take a photo of the porte-cochere from the Smithe Street side? I cannot seem to find a photo of it in the thread.

[Yume-sama]

Now, do they... bolt them to the ground :P? What if a wind storm comes up... :haha: