Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre | Completed
 

Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre
http://www.vhfc.ca/index.html



Vancouver BC will soon be home to the worlds most sophisticated seaplane terminal.


Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre, a partnership between the Clarke Group of Companies and The Ledcor Group of Companies, is defining the future of seaplane travel by designing terminal facilities that will bring a new level of convenience and efficiency to seaplane operators and their passengers. The seaplane docks are engineered for longevity and to uphold the standards set by the Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project.

http://www.vhfc.ca/images/Marina_Aerial.jpg

http://www.vhfc.ca/images/Tower_Nth_East.jpg

http://www.vhfc.ca/images/VHFC_Nth_East.jpg

http://www.vhfc.ca/images/Restaurant_View.jpg






DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE

October 2009: Development and environmental permits approved

November 2009: West tower foundations completed

August 2010: West tower structure commences off-site pre-fabrication

August 2010: Seaplane dock construction commences

September 2010: West tower structure installed on-site

September 2010: Terminal and fuel system construction commences

December 2010: West tower and seaplane terminal construction completed

January 2011: Float tow in, anchoring and set up

Spring 2011: Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre seaplane terminal opens

badass. This + marina next door for sweet yachts = awesome.

Hmm... the only thing I see missing is the terminal. =O

Glad to see the trailers and portables will be gone and the Seawall finally finished. Now all it needs is an underground connection to the Canada Line so people with luggage don't have to wheel it around the streets to get to the Sea Planes or Cruise Ship Terminal.

Isn’t this Old News, as I believe a while back they asked and received a 2-year extension on their current location?

I saw the display for this development today at the convention center. It wasn't there last month.

Glad to hear that the parties involved finally come to an agreement last month and the project is moving ahead and will complete in Spring 2011.
Some info. from the website:
Source: http://www.vhfc.ca/images/VHFC_Media...e_Aug_2010.pdf
Backgrounder: http://www.vhfc.ca/images/VHFC_Backg...r_Aug_2010.pdf

finally

I still don't like the idea of the plaza being ruined with the structures of the marina and terminal

An eyesore, slapped right in front of the convention centre. Excruciatingly bad taste right here, yet again, in Vancouver.

Build it elsewhere, next to the centre where the temporary terminal is now.

I don't know, I love watching the sea planes come and go. Plus, I kinda like the location for it. They could pretty it up a bit, but I think once the marina is finished, it'll fit better.

An eyesore to you but you must have seen ALL the tourists (and residents for that matter) that will stop and watch for like half an hour watching sea planes come and go.

This is the same type of thinking that will eventually turn Vancouver into nothing more than a resort. You sound like that NBC official who wanted the sulphur piles in North Van moved for the duration of the Olympics.

The Seaplane terminal looks great and will add vibrancy to the plaza, I'm all for it.

I really hope that once the terminal has been moved the convention centre seawall is seamlessly connected to the Coal Harbour seawall.

When it comes right down to it, I think the real "problem" that some people may have with the seaplane terminal is the NOISE of the planes as they take off and land ... (and they CAN be rather noisy).
Of course, there is nothing that can be done to silence the motors; if you have floatplanes, you get the concommitant sound of them.

Other than that, there really is very little at issue, IMHO, (although I have to admit I'd prefer it somewhat removed from the central waterfront).

people watch the planes now

the view from the plaza has an abject ruining it

yes its great for vibrancy but there already is a lot of it there

Did anyone else see the clip on the news about the McBarge this week?

I recall someone talking about buying it & using it as the floatplane terminal years ago.
I think this was when the new convention centre had just started construction, and the floatplane terminal & docks had to be moved somewhere else (but nearby) during construction.

moving to mission? it might not happen now or something? he can't get the zoning? i saw a bit of it but missed the gist of it

Thats the idea.

when Harbour Green gets finished, it will improve the connection from the streets down to the waterfront seawall too

First of all, I'm quite sure the additional boat marina right next to this proposed float plane terminal and slapped right in front of the convention centre furthers the "resort" mentality even more.

There's nothing wrong with having a seaplane terminal in the area, I'm not opposed to that (if you read my post properly you would've known this), just don't build it in front of the convention centre - build the permanent plane terminal where it is now. The float plane terminal and future boat marina completely ruin the concept of the convention centre at its dramatic waterfront location, it takes away from the architectural statement the centre makes around its surroundings. And would you put a marine in front and around the Sydney Opera House? What about the Hong Kong Convention Centre?
http://www.mytravelimages.com/austra...pera_house.jpg
http://www.mytravelimages.com/austra...ia_sydney.html
http://www.allaboutsourcing.de/de/wp...ion-centre.jpg
http://www.allaboutsourcing.de/de/tag/hongkong/


Excruciatingly poor taste in this city and from its people. Bloody hell.


Secondly, NBC never suggested to have the sulphur piles moved. It was a one liner question by NBC, "does that [pile] have to be there?" in which local officials said "yes" and that was the end of it. You're making a big deal out of nothing. And so what if they asked? It's up to us to say "no".

What makes the decision even more incomprehensible is that the current area is the most natural and intuitive spot for the marina. That recessed space along the seawall just west of the convention centre forms an absolutely perfect cove/bay in which to moor boats out the way.

The bottom line: it is inconceivable that we would spend nearly a billion dollars on creating a compelling piece of waterfront architecture, a serious work of art framed by a jade sea, only to strip it of its integrity and render it a joke.

The new seaplane terminal may be a fait accompli, but I personally do not believe that the marina will ever be built in the planned location.

i think there was complaints by the area condo dwellers and thats prompted the move? i don't know if there will be any less noise its not moving that far

I also think the new seaplane terminal location is a bad decision.
Don't know why it has to move as the current location is fine.
It just doesn't fit with a convention centre. Noise pollution may become a bigger issue for people attending conferences inside the centre. The seaplane engine is very noisy when it takes off and lands.
IMO the best terminal location would be at the east side of Canada Place. That is the transport hub for skytrain, seabus, cruise ship terminal and helicopter landing site. Passangers would have a much shorter walking distance to get to the terminal.

Although I do question the logic of not placing it nearer/attached to the transportation hub that is Waterfront Station, the hate that this is getting based on aesthetics alone is kind of surprising.

i love that expanse of glass at the end of the plaza - don't you?

even my parents were amazed by it

now put a structure behind it and you lose the effect of it

I have no strong feelings about the asthetics but as someone who lives directly across the inlet from this I am concerned about seaplane noise. It already seems to be increasing exponentially - I never remember hearing 3+ planes flying right over my condo every day, now it's always that way.

Definitely would never buy anything close to it on that side of the inlet.

I'd prefer to see the seaplane terminal on the east of Canada Place as well. But it isn't in the cards. The current proposal isn't bad though it will not bevisible from inside the conference rooms nor audible and it will bring a lot of foot traffic towhat is currently a pretty dead area for most of the year. Which will ensure the retail is viable.

My thoughts on the float plane terminal
 

I think that people are forgetting that the seaplane terminal was always part of the site planning for the Convention Centre and the access tower from the plaza and seawall levels will not be in front of the ballroom's windows. Plus the access tower is using the same materials and design as the rest of the convention centre and it will look no more out of place than the elevator and stair tower that connects the top of the restaurant green roof to the plaza level.

Furthermore, the buildings for the seaplane terminal are gorgeous with very modern marine-aviation aesthetics. The terminal's buildings share a common pallet of architectural-grade galvanized steel, high-end glazing, and lighting schemes reminiscent of marine lanterns. The main terminal is understandably the standout and it features angular features that are in conversation with the Convention Centre without resorting to mimicry and its main architectural move is a series of angled strips of mullion-free glazing that cross the roof as a skylight and then turn down the side of the building that faces the Convention Centre as windows. The planned floating restaurant at the end of the pier will be on the Lift Bistro end of the architectural spectrum, as opposed to the McBarge floating trailer park, and to the best of my knowledge Harbour Navigation is planning to move the embarkation point for their harbour cruises to the westernmost seaplane terminal pier.

Others have already touched on the visual interest offered by the seaplane terminal and I want to reiterate this in my own words; the seaplanes are a unique part of the Burrard Inlet waterfront, they were here first, and I believe they add a welcome additional dimension of interest for the harbour and the city's waterfront. To me the seaplanes are every bit as integral and iconic to our city's waterfronts as the Aquabuses in False Creek and the cargo ships at anchor in English Bay.

The issue, for me, is not the seaplanes, which are an essential part of the energy, dynamism and beauty of Coal Harbour. Nor is the issue really the new seaplane terminal, which looks fairly elegant, uniform, and will be placed to the side of the VCC's grand windows. The issue is the planned marina. Plunking down a hodge-podge of private boats right in front of the VCC's architectural centrepiece--a sea of glass overlooking a glass sea, that magical point of fusion between the natural and the man-made--will fundamentally tarnish the beauty and coherence of a serious work of architecture and our experience of it, from within and without.

The effect of the planned marina on the integrity of the VCC will be similar to that of parking cars in Jack Poole Plaza.

I think you are the one making a big deal out of nothing here. I agree the floatplane terminal would be better suited for the east side of Canada Place, but since that is not going to happen, it should be as close to Waterfront station as possible, even if that means in front of the convention center. Coal Harbour is not just something pretty to look at, it is a working harbour and should remain as such.

The Sydney Opera house and Hong Kong Convention Centers are more like isolated sculptures rather than functional buildings. Although they are iconic from afar, they turn their back on the public realm and ignore the pedestrian. The Vancouver Convention Center actually interacts and integrates into its surroundings, and the new float plane terminal will only add to this.

And is Canada Place any less iconic because of the cruise ships that regularly dock beside it? I'm sure if you asked the average tourist they would say the exact opposite.

These Sydney and HK structures ARE very functional buildings, but just for the people going inside. They are very inward facing buildings. I remember being struck while visiting the HKCC, that for a building with so much glass, how little it took advantage of it. No outward facing spaces, and lots of escaltors that descended into spaces underground. And as vanman has said, there is relatively little considration to life outside it.

I can understand the viewpoints such as Mr.X has brought up. These building sculptures, if indeed they are sculptures, should almost be admired in isolation. Sydney's and HK's look great as postcard shots. And perhaps that is what the debate is here, whether the VCC West is iconic enough to be a postcard building. And if it is, should things like float plane airports and marinas clutter it up?

That part is debateable, but that this part of Coal Harbour should be a hub of human activity, that should be a no brainer. And undoubtedly amenities like the terminal and marina enhance that.

What marina? And how exactly is the plaza being ruined?

I'm all for both the seaplane terminal and the marina. You'll hardly be able to either from the convention centre itself or the plaza. Only once you're on the seawall and peer over will you really be able to see them, it's quite a ways down there. However I also don't think the convention centre is a particularly good looking building from that angle though, so I am all for something at the water level to break up the monolithic appearance.

Scroll down the entire length of the following page to see a number of different renders of the marina: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...138016&page=64

that elevator shaft ruins the panoramic view from the plaza its like "ahhh d'oh ahhh" :yes: :haha:

I highly doubt having the float plane terminal 80-metres further to the west is going to be a major hindrance to the people that use the service, whereas having it 80-metres east right in front of the convention centre destroys the concept of the billion dollar structure.

The Sydney Opera House and HKCC aren't functional buildings? Right...come to think of it, all this city (Vancouver) really cares about is what's purely functional. Screw quality and iconic architectural design! But now that we do have one, the convention centre, we've foolishly decided to clutter it up because it's "functional". I also don't to see how much more additional pedestrian activity a boat marina can bring, it's not significant.

Canada Place cruise ships...you've gotta be kidding right? Apples and oranges.



And to the others here, this isn't an argument about not having the sea planes around it's about where the terminal should be located. You've completely missed the point SFU. There's no denying that Coal Harbour is a working harbour. I'm certainly not excited over the prospect of floating restaurant right in front of the convention centre either. It's totally the wrong place for it. And if a marina were to be plopped right in front of Science World, I would be just as opposed and appalled.


What a complete farce:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...138016&page=64

http://www.mcmparchitects.com/img/ph...ontage%20B.jpg

http://www.mcmparchitects.com/img/ph...%20Montage.jpg

http://www.mcmparchitects.com/img/ph...ontage%20B.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3431/...2153f214_b.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7727/adadadab.jpg

Exactly, this isn't a debate about not having sea planes at all. I don't know how one could come to that conclusion.

Good to see that someone can see the same thing I'm seeing. The boat marine is particularly awful, though I have also argued that the float plane terminal will do the same though to a slightly lesser extent than the off-place boat marina. It kills the harmony of the convention centre design.

I've lost much faith in this city, what haven't we done half-assed lately?

Oh give it arest. As nice as it is, the convention centre is hardly iconic. its barely even noticable from ariel shots and looks more like a soccer pitch. Canada place is way more iconic and can easily be identified with vancouver

I think the renderings look great and coal harbour needs something to break up the god-awful sterile nature of the area. Over priced condos, beyond most peoples reach, are to be blamed for vancouver's steady march to resort only town, not a few boats.

LOL and who can afford these boats exactly?

For the record, I don't like the marina in front of the CC either. I'll take the float planes though.

thanks for those renderings, mr x. i'm with you: the yacht marina looks completely ludicrous, it's just irritating that planning would okay that and the float plane terminal. push it off.

Ummm, Expo86, Canada Place, The Science Center, Skytrain, the Cruise Ship Terminal, GM Place, the Convention Centre, The Winter Olympics, the Shangri-La hotel, the Canada Line, the Olympic Village, BC Place.....do you want me to keep going? If you want half-assed you need to come to Victoria. "Half-assed" should be our city's logo.

I don't know if this is the right location for the seaplanes or not but I do think the idea of a floating airport is pretty cool.

Not what I would consider recent:
Expo86
Canada Place
The Science Center
Skytrain
the Cruise Ship Terminal
GM Place
BC Place

Convention Centre (This is what's being discussed!!)

Considered by many to be half-assed:
The Winter Olympics (successful doesn't mean not half-assed)
Shangri-La hotel (many here disappointed with it)
Canada Line (platforms?)

Most would consider as not half-assed
Olympic Village

:haha:


Expo '86, Science World, Canada Place, the original SkyTrain line - not sure why you're bringing up something that was built 25-years ago, what's being discussed is what has been recently built.

GM Place - nice for the city, but sub-standard compared to arenas even when it was built. And for a North American metro for >2-million, having an indoor arena is nothing unique.

Convention Centre - aren't we discussing this right now? nice in many more ways than one, though the marina/plane terminal duo will most certainly ruin its architectural concept.

Winter Olympics - overall successful as twoNeurons pointed out, but half-assed in certain aspects such as not having the new Olympic Stadium roof done in time or how the Pacific Coliseum still looked like an antiquated POC or how tens of millions were cut in decorations, which many complained as it didn't give the city a unique "Olympic look and feel" that many previous hosts have had (come to think of it, you can't even find a permanent set of Olympic rings anywhere). This was a barebone Olympics.

The Shangri-La Hotel - what exactly is so special about it? In a major city, it's just like any other tower. Nice, but overrated.

Canada Line - absurdly short platforms, underwhelmingly poor station designs.

Th Olympic Village - the one exception.

BC Place - once again, not done in time for the Olympics. You can throw as many excuses to how we didn't have time or how it was too risky and expensive to do the retrofits, but we did have 7 years and it was quite obvious that BC Place was a pretty important venue for the Games. There's something quite retarded about building a new roof right after the world has left instead of building it in time for the Games.

And even with the $550-million budget, we still can't afford new seats? A new glass facade (replacemen of windows)? Now this project should top the list of what's half-assed.

The sea plane terminal is being built with floats that won't have pilings; they'll be completely flat, so I think that will actually be kind of cool. I hope they do the same with the marina though.

The seawall level of the convention center is several stories worth above water, and the plaza level higher than that. Float planes and the terminal will hardly even block view of the concrete pillars and service level around the convention center bottom, and the Sea Wall and glass windows will be well above the tops of any plane.

The glass windows of the convention center are well above the top of even the megaisty yacht. But the view from the Seawall might be a bit obstructed by the masts of sailing yachts. So the marina does worry me a bit, but the view from the top of the plaza will still be amazing.

By moving the sea plane terminal it will make the park area of the seawall feel more park like, and the business area of the Convention Center feel more busy. I think the sea planes infront of the CC will work great, and not block the view from or of the Convention Center. The marina, maybe from, but the building will still look majestic, and more like part of a functioning city.

I hope they make the marina more of a terminal, not where some select few get to keep their boats all year with a sterile, uninviting feeling. I would rather see boats constantly coming and going like the sea planes, with dinner cruises and ferries to places like Bowen Island. I also bet a privately run ferry to Stanley Park would work well there too.

Does the current marina in the West end of Coal Harbor ruin the view of downtown? Absolutely not. http://www.panoramio.com/photo/33099862

I'm not seeing the problem with those renderings. What kind of look do you folks want for this stretch of waterfront? Planes and private boats have a long history in Coal Harbour.

While I agree Vancouver does things half-assed, this is untrue. GM Place was one of many, many NHL arenas built around the same time and was always considered no worse than its dozen cookie cutter counterparts. If anything maybe a bit more interesting due to its location and somewhat different design. It's still in the upper echelon and nothing to be embarrassed about.

And recently GM Place's interior has been among the best as far as scoreboards/lightboards go.

Plus, to me anyway, GM Place still looks like it was built yesterday. They do a good job of keeping the exterior clean and spotless, and the design, style and materials still look modern, much better than many of the mid 90's arenas.

And, unlike many arenas in other cities, GM Place, errr, Rogers Arena was built and financed completely privately. Unlike cities in the States, the Canucks aren't a drain on the public purse.

Looks like the construction work has started.

Workers are starting to remove the glass roof ceiling for the elavator shaft fabrication.
Photo. taken by me.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/...aebd3e86d6.jpg

Officially announced in the media today:
http://www.vancouversun.com/business...950/story.html

Did anybody see the back-handed congratulations from the complaining-NIMBYs in Coal Harbour, listed in the Comments? They're basically saying that this is a good thing for the area because the planes have ruined their homes with their noise, unsightliness and their pollution!!!

- Who came first, the planes or the residents? So how can you complain about something ruining "your" neighbourhood when they were there first? Surely when you bought your condo you knew there were planes there?!

- What about the "toxic fumes and particulate matter" and subjective unsightliness from the dozens of supertankers?!

- Which bit of "prime park space" have they occupied? I thought they were over the water, and their land operations were over the car park?

- How would moving the planes a few hundred meters east make them less noisy? The noise of planes comes at take-off and landing. Those places will remain exactly the same. All that's changed is their docks that they taxi in/out of!


Grr...if only I could post a reply to their comments...:whip:

^
As a soon-to-be Coal Harbour condo owner (and likely nimby, hee hee) I want to assure you that I WILL NOT be complaining about the seaplanes. Being able to watch them come and go from my living room is very appealing and you're right, those seaplanes were there long before those condo towers.