Victoria Construction - #7 - Page 218

aastra · #**4341** Posted **Sep 19, 2026, 8:28 PM**

Quote:

I have no idea what that has to do with your refusal to edit your posts.

You phrased it as "learn how to use the edit button", which seemed amusingly ironic considering past history re: you inadvertently editing my posts because you weren't using the edit button properly.

aastra · #**4342** Posted **Sep 19, 2026, 8:29 PM**

I hope that clears it up.

aastra · #**4343** Posted **Sep 19, 2026, 8:33 PM**

And now back to our regularly scheduled pontificating...

aastra · #**4344** Posted **Sep 19, 2026, 8:38 PM**

Zoomer, are you saying that 900-block Pandora tower will have its main entrance on the back side instead of along Pandora? If so then I suppose we can understand why they would want to do that, but methinks it also signifies an attitude of defeat re: the Pandora scene itself. If an 800-pound gorilla project like this one can't be expected to maintain safety, cleanliness, law & order etc. out front then how could any other project along Pandora be expected to do so?

zoomer · #**4345** Posted **Sep 19, 2026, 11:37 PM**

Depends what you consider the front? But thanks to your question I've updated the project page.

The community space and supportive housing entryway will be on Pandora Avenue with the primary residential and daycare entry on Mason Street. Although I can't see the actual entrance door on Pandora for the supportive housing. Surely not the same entrance as the community centre, but then is it a glass door to the left of the image.. anything glass seems questionable..

930 Pandora Ave - May 2025 Plans - © dHK Architects by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

930 Pandora Ave - © dHK Architects by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

zoomer · #**4346** Posted **Sep 19, 2026, 11:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil McAvity View Post
Why do we have zoning laws when every project gets voted on by city council?

Fair question. Perhaps because zoning defines height, density, setbacks, etc. but not quality, fit for neighbourhood, extenuating circumstances. One might say it's a a layer of democratic accountability where councillors can't claim their hands were tied due to automatic zoning approval. Of course plenty of pros and cons and holes in any argument on this topic.

aastra · #**4347** Posted **Sep 20, 2026, 12:38 AM**

Maybe I'm not reading those illustrations properly. It seemed to me that the Mason St street side was being presented as the more friendly and engaging side, if you get my meaning. Smiling faces saying "Enter here". The Pandora side was seeming to say "walk on by, these aren't the droids you're looking for". Anyway, I've looked at them again on a larger screen and I suppose it all depends what's going on inside those ground-level windows along Pandora. But the overall vibe still seems rather stark to me on that side.

zoomer · #**4348** Posted **Sep 20, 2026, 2:51 AM**

I don't mind either side, I just don't like the tower. As for the Mason Street side, well, should they really have a daycare with outdoor play space here? With unclimbable fencing and secure bubble windows. I suppose it's good building are still going up on the 900 block of Pandora..

930 Pandora Ave - © dHK Architects by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

zoomer · #**4349** Posted **Sep 20, 2026, 4:18 PM**

Photos from yesterday for 1045 Yates and 1050 Yates:

1045 Yates St - September 19, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

1050 Yates St - September 19, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

aastra · #**4350** Posted **Sep 20, 2026, 6:39 PM**

Do my eyes deceive me or am I seeing some of the plainest plain white panels ever on the new tower there?

zoomer · #**4351** Posted **Sep 21, 2026, 7:24 PM**

I know right, but they are the purest, creamiest white you've ever seen...

Now your question once again has me going back to the drawing board as I notice a slight difference in the 25-storey podium in these two renders, so I'll go back to the plans and update which is the most recent. It looks as if in one of these renderings the frames and mullions are a contrasting black on the white panel section, yet in another it appears to be all white, which is what I'm seeing built on the first two floors of that section. That could result in a flat boring appearance, yet maybe it would be better than pure black on pure white? The podium is dark grey brick and the 15-storey section will have a blue/grey panel.

1050-Yates-Aerial-Rendering-1-2048x1152-1 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

1050 Yates Street - Victoria BC by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

I don't mind the renderings at all, but what will the end result be? A perfect example below is Aryze's Estoya. The renderings - ok, somewhat acceptable, the final result is just an awful cheap looking mess, although if you squint really hard after staring into the sun it looks kinda cool.

1708 Quadra St - The Estoya - September 19, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

1708 Quadra St - The Estoya - September 19, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Arzye totally hides/disguises that mesh treatment on their own website!

Did anyone think to do a mockup with a few plywood boards and this chicken wire over it and determine if it was as 'cool' as it looks on their screens?!

zoomer · #**4352** Posted **Sep 21, 2026, 7:32 PM**

Video time

• Video Link

aastra · #**4353** Posted **Sep 22, 2026, 2:17 AM**

Quote:

...but they are the purest, creamiest white you've ever seen...

That should make for a pleasing contrast with the white panels on the firehall building immediately behind it. Which reminds me, did we ever find out if the Regent Park towers were going to re-clad and swap out the early 1990s peach-and-green for 21st-century plain white and grey?

zoomer · #**4354** Posted **Sep 23, 2026, 1:17 AM**

They completed the drainage work along Yates street, looked to be preparing for drainage work for the whole site which was to be followed by recladding (to what I don't know) and then everything disappeared in terms of the materials, etc. on site. I'm sure whoever lives in the building knows what's happening or not. I'm close enough I could walk by and just yell up and demand answers..

zoomer · #**4355** Posted **Sep 23, 2026, 1:18 AM**

Speaking of which, Regent Park has a cameo in this building from yesterday:

• Video Link

aastra · #**4356** Posted **Sep 23, 2026, 5:37 PM**

Speaking of Oak Bay High's running track, they're planning to re-surface it eventually and make some other improvements.

And the video indicates they won't be removing the Oak tree that stands near the inside lane.

Apparently this project was launched in 2021. No idea what the current status is but the giving page says $283,000 has been raised toward the $1 million goal.

aastra · #**4357** Posted **Sep 23, 2026, 5:51 PM**

Quote:

Speaking of which, Regent Park has a cameo in this building from yesterday:

Harris Green needs another Jukebox building. Not the same style, but I mean a new build that dares to be a bit unconventional and/or quirky and/or fun. Commercial units on a block where commercial units shouldn't be, and yet they're very pleasing neighbourhood-style commercial units because of it, and panels that call attention to themselves for being a bit striking and showy rather than calling attention to themselves for being ultra-bland and standard-issue. Not to mention those retro grills over the windows, the portholes, and other quirky details.

aastra · #**4358** Posted **Sep 23, 2026, 5:58 PM**

Quote:

I mean a new build that dares to be a bit unconventional and/or quirky and/or fun

The interior of that new building on Pandora at Vancouver St would also qualify, but methinks most people will never know how neat it is on the inside.

zoomer · #**4359** Posted **Sep 23, 2026, 6:01 PM**

Interesting - I had no idea a ‘track’ could incorporate so much. I’m looking forward to the public pole vaulting though - right now I use the temporary one down at Willows Beach when it’s in operation. I’m assuming Oak Bay High runs that, kinda cool as the runways is down mats along the beach with a giant air bag at the waters edge. I set a PR there in June with a vault of 10.10 metres.

zoomer · #**4360** Posted **Sep 23, 2026, 6:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by aastra

Harris Green needs another Jukebox building. Not the same style, but I mean a new build that dares to be a bit unconventional and/or quirky and/or fun. Commercial units on a block where commercial units shouldn't be, and yet they're very pleasing neighbourhood-style commercial units because of it, and panels that call attention to themselves for being a bit striking and showy rather than calling attention to themselves for being ultra-bland and standard-issue. Not to mention those retro grills over the windows, the portholes, and other quirky details.

It shouldn’t be as successful as it is (at least to non-residents as the units appear tiny and unappealing) but yes, it’s a perfect ground level pedestrian experience for a ‘backside’ downtown street. The mini retail units allows small businesses to purchase their unit thus having cost predictability while building equity. A lot of businesses or retail don’t need large spaces, and they have a great diverse selection in there from the Ox King Noodles, a couple barbers, mini gym place, bookstore. So yes, building variety as always is the key, at least for me even if that against the ‘Parisian model’ a lot of folks seem to wish for. On the same block I want to see variety in height, design, materials, colour, etc. Which is why the black Raven apartment building works visually even though it’s not an ideal downtown urban form.