The Ultimate Vancouver Rumour Thread!

[officedweller]

No, but whether or not the architects are designing for inclusion of a heritage facade on that corner or designing a wholly new structure would have been included (i.e. number of social housing units, etc. would depend on layout, and that facade with the recesses, would have impacted that)
That, in turn, would lead to a discussion about whether Dunsmuir House would be demolished or not.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by officedweller

No, but whether or not the architects are designing for inclusion of a heritage facade on that corner or designing a wholly new structure would have been included (i.e. number of social housing units, etc. would depend on layout, and that facade with the recesses, would have impacted that)
That, in turn, would lead to a discussion about whether Dunsmuir House would be demolished or not.

I don't think Holborn was planning on any social housing even if they kept the facade. And Holborn said they got an engineering report in mid-October saying the building was still okay.

“Dunsmuir House as an SRO, was replaced by Belkin House in 2004 by the previous owner, the Salvation Army. In 2021, the City of Vancouver [not Holborn] re-classified Dunsmuir House from Residential to Commercial,” Holborn said in an email.

https://globalnews.ca/news/10935012/dunsmuir-house-holborn-properties-demolition-debate/

It just seems weird that it's just one councillor in the meeting and just with a project coordinator from a local architect.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I don't think Holborn was planning on any social housing even if they kept the facade. And Holborn said they got an engineering report in mid-October saying the building was still okay.

https://globalnews.ca/news/10935012/dunsmuir-house-holborn-properties-demolition-debate/

It just seems weird that it's just one councillor in the meeting and just with a project coordinator from a local architect.

I was thinking back to this from a 2006 rezoning inquiry, which is probably out of date:

THAT Council instruct staff that any rezoning to be considered for the Bay Parkade and
Dunsmuir House site should reflect the Recommended Directions described in the
report below, which are in summary:
• Provision of a minimum FSR 5.0 commercial floor space, including at least one
major office tower;
• Retention and renovation of Dunsmuir House as Single Room Accommodation,
affordable to low-income singles, with the possible transfer of the site to City
ownership;
• Market residential space as a bonus to cover the cost associated with retaining and
up-grading Dunsmuir House;
• Additional market residential space, as may fit into an appropriate form of
development, which may or may not be density transferred from other heritage
sites; and
• Provision of other appropriate public benefits, subject to project viability.

https://council.vancouver.ca/20061212/documents/tt3_BayParkade.pdf

[Feathered Friend]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I was looking at the meeting again and it mentions "Nicolette Williams". Someone with the same name is a Project Coordinator at Henriquez so I doubt it had anything to do with the demolition.

The other meeting in November was with Josh White (City Planner)

Henriquez submitted a building grades application for Hoborn's long vacant site at 388 Abbott (aka 61-95 E Hastings) about a year ago, so it could easily be related to that.

https://plposweb.vancouver.ca/Public/Default.aspx?PossePresentation=Guest&PosseObjectId=220349388

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

Henriquez submitted a building grades application for Hoborn's long vacant site at 388 Abbott (aka 61-95 E Hastings) about a year ago, so it could easily be related to that.

https://plposweb.vancouver.ca/Public/Default.aspx?PossePresentation=Guest&PosseObjectId=220349388

But the Henriquez meeting specifically mentioned the HBC Parkade..

Just noticed Henriquez was involved in some of the earlier rezoning enquiries for Holborn.

https://council.vancouver.ca/20061212/documents/tt3_BayParkade.pdf

FWIW The most recent 2019 enquiry seems like it was IBI (with OMA/PFS Studio). I think the same happened with Henriquez involved with Little Mountain but eventually went ahead with IBI (?)

https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/2020-120-release.pdf

[jollyburger]

McKinley Studios said last year (?) they submitted a development application for a Bentall Centre plaza upgrade with new alcoves into some existing entrances. Not sure if it was canned with Burrard Exchange.



https://www.mckinleystudios.com/obsessed/biophilic-portico-bentall-vancouver

Never recall seeing this Alexander Street proposal from around 2023.



https://www.mckinleystudios.com/projects/alexanderstreet



https://www.mckinleystudios.com/obsessed/can-happiness-be-a-design-principle

The old Barrick site and 369 Alexander next door.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

Henriquez submitted a building grades application for Hoborn's long vacant site at 388 Abbott (aka 61-95 E Hastings) about a year ago, so it could easily be related to that.

https://plposweb.vancouver.ca/Public/Default.aspx?PossePresentation=Guest&PosseObjectId=220349388

Did the city finally threaten Holborn to get off their butts with their numerous vacant properties?

[jollyburger]

Maybe they're going to use Holborn to develop the Pacific/Burrard rental towers

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Maybe they're going to use Holborn to develop the Pacific/Burrard rental towers

[whatnext]

Any guesses?


Howard Chai
@Howard__24
A notable developer who made a high-profile acquisition a few years ago for over $200 million has been gauging buyer interest in the site. Confirmed to me by multiple sources and the developer. Story coming soon. #vanRE

https://x.com/Howard__24/status/1894112938140557602

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Any guesses?


Howard Chai
@Howard__24
A notable developer who made a high-profile acquisition a few years ago for over $200 million has been gauging buyer interest in the site. Confirmed to me by multiple sources and the developer. Story coming soon. #vanRE

https://x.com/Howard__24/status/1894112938140557602

Posted in the Richmond thread.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Posted in the Richmond thread.

So, basically it is another China-linked development site unwinding?

Rachel is the CEO and Senior VP of Finance and HR a Keltic. She also is a CPA and CIA of Singapore. Prior to joining Keltic, Rachel served as GM of Strategic Investments at a renowned A-share company in China, where she led the global investment from 2016-2018. Between 2007 – 2012, Rachel led a Sino-Swiss post-JV financial integration project in China, prior to which she worked for a few top-tier MNCs in their Asia Pacific regional HQ from 2000 to 2007. At Keltic, Rachel leads fundraising, investment evaluation, and deal structuring. Rachel manages a portfolio of over CN $1.2 bill. in Hong Kong and Canada combined. She is also a Director of Oriental Yuhong (Canada) Investment Holdings Ltd., wherein she promotes the company’s expansion in North America.
https://epthoughtleaders.com/rachel-lei-...incentivize-and-motivate-senior-leaders/

[officedweller]

Probably not wanting to overextend themselves.
The story also lists other sites they are planning to redevelop, including the Rev's site and the potentially tall Esso site on Kingsway in Metrotown.

[jollyburger]

Some micro hotel for Howe Street. Councillors had meetings about it in April.

Pooni Group met with councillors over 1926-1978 Broadway. Maybe more density on the site?

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/1926-1978-e-broadway

Same with 852–872 Seymour Street. Maybe some update on that project coming soon.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Same with 852–872 Seymour Street. Maybe some update on that project coming soon.

Isn't that site for sale?

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Changing City

Isn't that site for sale?

Seems like it's still listed.

https://www.loopnet.ca/Listing/852-872-Seymour-Vancouver-BC/34133654/

The PDF brochure has a 13 (?) storey version of the Arno Matis design.

[jollyburger]

May councillor meetings for some Great Vancouver Wheel at Canada Place.

Coming soon?



https://www.viator.com/en-CA/tours/London/London-Eye-River-Cruise-Experience/d737-2988LONDONEYE

[officedweller]

I don't know if the structure (at the prow) could support something that tall.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Might be worth looking at for Granville Island? The harbourfront's already crowded as it is.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Might be worth looking at for Granville Island? The harbourfront's already crowded as it is.

I assume you wouldn't have that nice of a scenic view compared to a waterfront. Throw in Senakw blocking out a lot of the view and being next to Granville Street Bridge.

If they were thinking at something on the cruise ship terminal expansion it might be a problem for Helijet?

Maybe it'll be smaller like in the 50-60m range? Just realized the Seattle Ferris wheel is called "Seattle Great Wheel"

The Seattle wheel is 53 metres and weighs 280,000 pounds.

https://www.reuters.com/article/business...eel-opening-on-waterfront-idUSLNE86100P/