Downtown Vancouver Updates II

[officedweller]

Thanks!

[RDW989]

Alberni and Denman, my pix today, Dec 1
[IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2rJnPbH]

[jollyburger]

Arts & Craft building



https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1391257413000798&set=pcb.1391259129667293

[jollyburger]

Vancouver sign is coming by May 2026 at Canada Place

1.0 Introduction
Under this Request for Expressions of Interest (the “RFEOI”), the City of Vancouver (the “City”) is seeking
expressions of interest (“Expressions of Interest”) from construction and fabrication firms for the fabrication,
installation and complete civil works for a permanent outdoor "Vancouver" sign ("Sign") to be installed at 999
Canada Place - East Plaza by May of 2026. Interested parties (“Respondents”) are required to respond to this
RFEOI in accordance with the instructions set forth in this RFEOI.
The RFEOI will be administered through this website (JAGGAER) that is the City’s electronic procurement
portal (the “Supplier Portal”). Expressions of Interest may only be submitted via the Supplier Portal in the
format requested by the City. Each Respondent is solely responsible for reviewing and complying with any
Supplier Portal terms and conditions which apply to and govern the use of the Supplier Portal. If there is any
inconsistency or conflict between the provisions of this RFEOI and the Supplier Portal terms and conditions,
then the provisions of this RFEOI will govern.
2.0 Background
The City of Vancouver, in collaboratrion with community partners including, but not limited to, the Vancouver
Convention Centre ("VCC"), the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association ("DVBIA"),
Destination Vancouver, the Port of Vancouver ("VFPA") and the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association
("VHDA") are looking to establish a list of prequalified contractors to participate in an Invitation to Tender
("ITT" or "Tender") for the the fabrication, installation and complete civil works required for the creation and
installation of an iconic "Vancouver" sign ("Sign").
Design and contract administration will be managed by consultants contracted by the City of Vancouver with
oversight from City staff.
To be considered for the prequalified list of contractors to be invited to participate in the ITT, all Respondents
must clearly show, through specific and completed examples, an ability to deliver all aspects of the the Scope of
Work as outlined below and further detailed in the Buyer Attachments section. This must include any associated
subcontractors that would be included in the project team. Respondents must clearly outline key personnel,
qualifications and experience overseeing each component of work including both site civil works and Sign
fabrication.

https://vancouver.ca/doing-business/bids-contracts-rfps-and-supplier-portal.aspx

[Feathered Friend]

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/450-w-georgia-st


https://plposweb.vancouver.ca/Public/Default.aspx?PossePresentation=Guest&PosseObjectId=280239779

While a two story grocery store may sound like a huge improvement to this vacant lot at Georgia & Richards, it’s far smaller than the 2019 plans for a 23 floor office building. That proposal was approved in 2021, & ultimately went nowhere.

https://x.com/City_Duo/status/1995653144630755470?s=20

[PBlonde]

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/450-w-georgia-st


https://plposweb.vancouver.ca/Public/Default.aspx?PossePresentation=Guest&PosseObjectId=280239779



https://x.com/City_Duo/status/1995653144630755470?s=20

I'm shocked that highest and best use for that could be a 2 storey grocery store...

[officedweller]

Crazy that someone thinks a custom built 2 storey grocery store will survive with CityMarket across the street
(and IGA around the back on the same block).

... here's hoping for a new bigger London Drugs (although their trend seems to be going smaller)

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by RDW989

Alberni and Denman, my pix today, Dec 1
[IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2rJnPbH]

I like the scale of that podium.
Works well in the area, although the finishing may be plain ...


https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/1818-alberni-street-vancouver-landa-global-properties-jenga

[jollyburger]

^^ Weird but I guess with the office market they might as well make some more passive income than with a parking lot. They also own the Canada Post/BMO tower across the street.

https://www.austeville.com/commercial/475-west-georgia/

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Crazy that someone thinks a custom built 2 storey grocery store will survive with CityMarket across the street
(and IGA around the back on the same block).

... here's hoping for a new bigger London Drugs (although their trend seems to be going smaller)

I don't think London Drugs could be described as a grocery store. There's no logical reason to develop this on spec, so there's obviously a grocer in the background. The most obvious 'missing piece' is a Pattison store. (The Diamonds must know the Pattisons as they both have given significant funds to hospitals). There's no Save On in the West End or Downtown, which is bizarre considering the ring of stores around the centre.

[hollywoodnorth]

I think a SAVE ON FOODS sounds logical but it could also be a Whole Foods as they are opening new stores in Canada again after pausing for while (just before they added Alberta stores they paused) >> https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...to-anchor-landmark-king-toronto-project/

[jollyburger]

I guess they aren't going to touch their properties on Richards. WT Leung is retained as the architects on the project.

[csbvan]

So if you are wondering how bad the market is, yes, it's this bad.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Changing City

I don't think London Drugs could be described as a grocery store. There's no logical reason to develop this on spec, so there's obviously a grocer in the background. The most obvious 'missing piece' is a Pattison store. (The Diamonds must know the Pattisons as they both have given significant funds to hospitals). There's no Save On in the West End or Downtown, which is bizarre considering the ring of stores around the centre.

The application says "Grocery or Drug Store".

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

https://plposweb.vancouver.ca/Public/Default.aspx?PossePresentation=Guest&PosseObjectId=280239779

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I guess they aren't going to touch their properties on Richards. WT Leung is retained as the architects on the project.

So probably a brick facade (?)

[GenWhy?]

I think "drug store" is what we'd unofficially call Shoppers or London Drugs, but on a permit / City classification it would be listed as retail and not a pharmacy.

[LeftCoaster]

Could be a move for LD. There has been a rumoured project for the LD podium for a long time so that may finally be moving ahead.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

I think "drug store" is what we'd unofficially call Shoppers or London Drugs, but on a permit / City classification it would be listed as retail and not a pharmacy.

FWIW there's some building old permits for London Drugs work like in Vancouver House and the Specific Use Category was Grocery or Drug Store

[officedweller]

Could be a consolidation of the Woodward's and Georgia & Granville London Drugs stores
(in a more visible location than the Hamilton side of The Post).

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

FWIW there's some building old permits for London Drugs work like in Vancouver House and the Specific Use Category was Grocery or Drug Store

Huh that's weird - thanks tho that's neat

[gaviscon]

Blood Alley pavement. I asked a construction worker and he said pavement will begin next year.

20251203_122344 by globalbusinesscentre105 H, on Flickr

20251203_122239 by globalbusinesscentre105 H, on Flickr

They also finally removed some power lines and H-frames that plagued Gastown for decades, and they removed all the power lines along Abott from Blood Alley to Ashtrey Alley.

Before (2022):


Screenshot (528) by globalbusinesscentre105 H, on Flickr

Today:


20251203_121753 by globalbusinesscentre105 H, on Flickr

Before (2022):


Screenshot (527) by globalbusinesscentre105 H, on Flickr

Today:


20251203_121729 by globalbusinesscentre105 H, on Flickr

20251203_121808 by globalbusinesscentre105 H, on Flickr

Before (2022):


Screenshot (530) by globalbusinesscentre105 H, on Flickr

Today:

20251203_122800 by globalbusinesscentre105 H, on Flickr

Before (2024):

Screenshot (529) by globalbusinesscentre105 H, on Flickr

Today:


20251203_121521 by globalbusinesscentre105 H, on Flickr

20251203_121544 by globalbusinesscentre105 H, on Flickr


Ashtrey Alley still needs some work:

Before (2024):


Screenshot (531) by globalbusinesscentre105 H, on Flickr


Today:



20251203_122844 by globalbusinesscentre105 H, on Flickr

All of this has been removed as well:

Screenshot (532) by globalbusinesscentre105 H, on Flickr