The Ridge | 2118 West 15th Avenue | 5fl | 17.06M | Completed - Page 6

Jebby · #**101** Posted **Jul 19, 2015, 1:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porfiry

I'm pretty sure they will be pleased (or at least indifferent), considering what was there before.

It looked pretty terrible before but it's a lot bigger now.

I wish they'd cover it up with vines. That would look really good.

officedweller · #**102** Posted **Jul 20, 2015, 11:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jebby

So it appears they did, in fact, take off the top floor. I wonder why they'd do that? it would seem they'd make a lot less money with one less floor, especially if they built it out of steel instead of concrete...

Looks like the floorplate was lengthened when they reduced the height to redistribute the square footage.

Klazu · #**103** Posted **Jul 20, 2015, 11:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BodomReaper

If I recall correctly, the City forced them to chop-off a floor before being granted the development permit. One of the most arbitrary decisions of this sort I've ever seen - the rationale was that Cressey didn't conduct "adequate" consultation during the rezoning process. I can't look at the building now without getting mad about that.

The funny thing is that there is no buildings on the opposite side of Cambie whose views this could have impacted. The impact might be the midday shadow effect on some of the yards north from this building.

Stupid decision indeed, but I think this building will be totally forgettable soon as more midrises go up alongside it.

dleung · #**104** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 12:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porfiry

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

The neighbours must be real excited about looking at the back of that bunker. It's like having your own Berlin Wall.

I'm pretty sure they will be pleased (or at least indifferent), considering what was there before.

Maybe they had hoped that the dumpy strip mall will eventually redevelop into something that is friendlier on the laneway side, like most new projects in the city, instead of being stuck with another version of that blank wall forever.

I don't mind the finished building actually. The streamlined "motorinn" look has more to do with the modernist 50's aesthetic than that gimmicky render with all the different façade elements.

Jebby · #**105** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 7:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klazu

The funny thing is that there is no buildings on the opposite side of Cambie whose views this could have impacted. The impact might be the midday shadow effect on some of the yards north from this building.

Considering this is about 25 blocks away from Cambie, I highly doubt any views on Cambie would have been impacted even if this were a 50-story skyscraper.

mcminsen · #**106** Posted **Sep 11, 2015, 1:09 AM**

Sept.10 '15, my pics

mcminsen · #**107** Posted **Sep 11, 2015, 1:16 AM**

Compare the old Google street view to how the view from the back alley looks today.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.25779...GPtgFLwK9Q!2e0

Sept.10 '15, my pic

osirisboy · #**108** Posted **Sep 11, 2015, 1:16 AM**

Why is it set so far back from the street? The lane looks way better now!!

mcminsen · #**109** Posted **Sep 11, 2015, 1:33 AM**

The rendering on the fence seems to show a public plaza and landscaping.

April 4 '15, my pic

mcminsen · #**110** Posted **Nov 27, 2015, 5:41 AM**

They're putting the finishing touches on the Ridge. Loblaws City Market is open and I think there are people in some of the apartments now.

Nov.26 '15, my pics

South side

West side

North side

Looking North on Arbutus

Looking South on Arbutus

BodomReaper · #**111** Posted **Nov 27, 2015, 6:47 AM**

Thanks for the update. This one actually turned out very very nicely, which makes the city's arbitrary 20% scaling-down even more of a shame.

SFUVancouver · #**112** Posted **Nov 27, 2015, 7:16 PM**

Thanks for the update. Agreed, this one turned out well. Still sad, though, that The Ridge movie theatre and bowling alley are gone. I get it that the business case for replacing both was likely flimsy at best, but it's still a loss to the city's cheap entertainment options. I am happy to see Loblaws City Market continue to expand in Vancouver, and I quite like how they use the plaza in front of the store for merchandising.

BodomReaper · #**113** Posted **Nov 27, 2015, 9:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

Thanks for the update. Agreed, this one turned out well. Still sad, though, that The Ridge movie theatre and bowling alley are gone. I get it that the business case for replacing both was likely flimsy at best, but it's still a loss to the city's cheap entertainment options. I am happy to see Loblaws City Market continue to expand in Vancouver, and I quite like how they use the plaza in front of the store for merchandising.

Now just wait for Spaxman et. al. to go to the media about how this is yet another instance of the privatization the commons

Jebby · #**114** Posted **Nov 27, 2015, 10:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

Thanks for the update. Agreed, this one turned out well. Still sad, though, that The Ridge movie theatre and bowling alley are gone. I get it that the business case for replacing both was likely flimsy at best, but it's still a loss to the city's cheap entertainment options. I am happy to see Loblaws City Market continue to expand in Vancouver, and I quite like how they use the plaza in front of the store for merchandising.

The bowling alley was horrible. I remember my mom forced me to have my birthday party there when I was 11 and it sucked. Stupid tiny bowling balls.

The Chinese restaurant above the bowling alley was also awful.

officedweller · #**115** Posted **Nov 28, 2015, 1:28 AM**

The CityMarket sign is really bright!

They have a lot of frontage there.

Anyone else think the signs on the 16th corner could be raised a foot or so?

s211 · #**116** Posted **Nov 28, 2015, 7:42 PM**

Have not been to this location, but friends say the food aisles are far too narrow (think IGA or Nesters in Yaletown) and they won't be returning. If what they say is correct, I would never go to this location either.

Klazu · #**117** Posted **Nov 28, 2015, 8:24 PM**

Is there any free parking for shoppers? If not, the store doesn't really cater to a wide audience.

Looks so odd to have a small piece of businesses in the middle of residential area. I look forward to rest of Cambie catching up and hopefully more commercial space at the bottom of new midrises.

Jebby · #**118** Posted **Nov 29, 2015, 4:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klazu

Looks so odd to have a small piece of businesses in the middle of residential area. I look forward to rest of Cambie catching up and hopefully more commercial space at the bottom of new midrises.

This isn't on Cambie, it's about 25 blocks away.

There is quite a bit of density within walking distance of this development. There's the former brewery lands to the north which have a dozen or more 6+ story condo buildings. There's a lot of development going on along Arbutus. There's a big townhouse development on the corner of Arbutus and King Ed. It's also a pretty short walk away from Broadway (6 blocks).

TourOdeon · #**119** Posted **Nov 29, 2015, 4:48 AM**

Wanna take a guess on how long City Market will last? Last time Meinhardt didn't survive for too long..

connect2source · #**120** Posted **Nov 29, 2015, 10:23 PM**

No Comparison.

City Market will work fine, Meinhardt's was a disaster. She cannibalized her store just a few blocks to the east, I believe she was also having some financial problems at the time. The store itself was limited in stock and range and I think the only element that worked was the takeaway and deli.

The store was also in the since demolished building which lacked parking and curb appeal.

The Loblaws product will work fine, there's no nearby outlet for President's Choice, the PC Plus program has a huge following but most importantly the City Market concept is great, very urban, timely, hip and progressive with some great product, great store design and competitive prices.