Downtown Vancouver Updates

[jlousa]

Here's some more details on the Aquarium upgrades, I know they don't quite have the money to proceed yet but have been raising the money steadily, hopefully someone comes up with a nice donation.

AQUARIUM ADDN, RESTAURANT & PUBLIC AMENITIES Proj: 9045458-5
Vancouver, Greater Vancouver RD BC PREPARING PLANS
Vancouver Aquarium Expansion, 845 Avison Way, at Stanley Park, V6B 3X8
$120,000,000 est
Start: 2008 Complete: 2010
Website: www.vanaqua.org
Project: Expansion would encompass 1/2 acre of land adjacent to the existing aquarium. It would include: new Steller sea lion, sea otter & sea birds exhibit (rebuilding Wild Coast pool area); construction of a new pool for the Wild Coast exhibit on land; expansion of the Arctic Canada Exhibit & pool where the Beluga whales are currently held; relocating the Salmon Run Exhibit into the proposed Wild Coast pool & changes to accommodate Beavers; two new public plaza areas; new public washroom facility; new bistro & concession.
Scope: 150,116 square feet; 2 storeys; 3 structures

[raggedy13]

^Good to hear. Thanks. When it says completion in 2010, do you think this means before the Olympics? I know this doesn't involve a large tower but is it realistic to accomplish something like this in under two years when funding for it isn't even in place yet? On one hand it would make sense that they could accomplish a few small scale projects within that time, but on the other hand things seem to usually take longer than expected around here.

Originally Posted by mr.x2

Nice shots btw.

Thanks!

In regards to the orange on Coopers Lookout, I quite liked it for a change. It seemed like a nice colour of orange to me and not so intense like the colours on Spectrum. I could see it possibly not aging well though.

[bils]

is that orange, or is it copper? cuz copper looks classy imo

[officedweller]

Thanks.

I think Raffles has turned out quite well.

The orange helps that tower quite a bit.
Ugly blank wall on the townhouse podium though.

I think that the other two towers - Flagship and Mariner will also have orange on their cores.
But unlike the two that already have orange pumpkin and reddish orange panels, I'm not sure if the two remaining towers will have coloured panels or just painted concrete.

[jlousa]

While techincally it would be possible to complete the aquarium before the olympics, that is not their plan, they are strapped for the cash to begin with so fast-tracking it would only add to the expense. (Yes fasttracking does cost quite a bit more even with construction costs shooting up 1.5%/month).
The expansion will fix alot of the current lil quirks with the layout.

[jlousa]

Concords plans for 5b awaiting the final report back on the NEFC review.

CONDOMINIUM APARTMENT TOWERS, COMMERCIAL Proj: 9077625-1
Vancouver, Greater Vancouver RD BC
47 Nelson St & 10 Terry Fox Way, NE False Creek area 5B
$50,000,000 est
Start: 2009
Note: In preliminary design and going through rezoning. Working drawings and construction schedules are undetermined. Further update in Winter 2008.
Project: Proposed condo towers; one of 28-stys & one with 30-stys; both to have CRU & office space on the lower levels; number of units is undefined; four-five levels u/g prkg.
Scope: 300,000 square feet; 4 storeys below grade; 2 structures
Development: New
Category: Apartment bldgs; Retail, wholesale services

[jlousa]

Upgrades to Burrard St bridge, haven't seen the minutes from the council meeting, but it appears it'll be going ahead.

BRIDGE MODIFICATIONS Proj: 7247825-3
Vancouver, Greater Vancouver RD BC WORKING DRAWINGS
Burrard St Bridge - Pedestrian & Cyclist Improvements, Burrard St Bridge,
$14,000,000 est
Start: July, 2008
Note: Further update in Apr/May 2008.
Project: several options are proposed for modifications to the bridge, to provide addn'l capacity for pedestrians & cyclists. The budget for this project could be between $12-17 million, dependant upon the option chosen or if this will be phased. One option is to widen the bridge sidewalk from 2.6m to 5m.
Development: Engineering
Category: Bridges; Roads

[nathan6969]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Upgrades to Burrard St bridge, haven't seen the minutes from the council meeting, but it appears it'll be going ahead.

BRIDGE MODIFICATIONS Proj: 7247825-3
Vancouver, Greater Vancouver RD BC WORKING DRAWINGS
Burrard St Bridge - Pedestrian & Cyclist Improvements, Burrard St Bridge,
$14,000,000 est
Start: July, 2008
Note: Further update in Apr/May 2008.
Project: several options are proposed for modifications to the bridge, to provide addn'l capacity for pedestrians & cyclists. The budget for this project could be between $12-17 million, dependant upon the option chosen or if this will be phased. One option is to widen the bridge sidewalk from 2.6m to 5m.
Development: Engineering
Category: Bridges; Roads

Does this still include the plan to cut the bridge down to 4 lanes?

[jlousa]

The bridge will not be losing any driving lanes, the expansion of the sidewalks are to accomadate the bike riders.

[raggedy13]

Originally Posted by jlousa

While techincally it would be possible to complete the aquarium before the olympics, that is not their plan, they are strapped for the cash to begin with so fast-tracking it would only add to the expense. (Yes fasttracking does cost quite a bit more even with construction costs shooting up 1.5%/month).
The expansion will fix alot of the current lil quirks with the layout.

Makes sense, thanks!

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Concords plans for 5b awaiting the final report back on the NEFC review.

CONDOMINIUM APARTMENT TOWERS, COMMERCIAL Proj: 9077625-1
Vancouver, Greater Vancouver RD BC
47 Nelson St & 10 Terry Fox Way, NE False Creek area 5B
$50,000,000 est
Start: 2009
Note: In preliminary design and going through rezoning. Working drawings and construction schedules are undetermined. Further update in Winter 2008.
Project: Proposed condo towers; one of 28-stys & one with 30-stys; both to have CRU & office space on the lower levels; number of units is undefined; four-five levels u/g prkg.
Scope: 300,000 square feet; 4 storeys below grade; 2 structures
Development: New
Category: Apartment bldgs; Retail, wholesale services

wholesale services? maybe office or storage space for the Costco down the street?

[SFUVancouver]

L'Hermitage

I really like this building. I think it turned out great, especially the podium. It has a lot of presence and weight and yet does not feel overbearing.

(My photo, taken March 1st, 2008)


Capitol Residences

It looks like they have finally finished excavation.

(My photo, taken March 1st, 2008)

There is now a Potain crane at the site and the sidewalk passes directly beneath it. This affords pedestrians an unusual view.

(My photo, taken March 1st, 2008)


Dolce & Vita

(My photo, taken March 1st, 2008)

[mr.x]

L'Hermitage turned out great!

[nathan6969]

The capitol pit is crazy, looks even deeper than patina...

[Yume-sama]

Wow, L'Hermitage does look great. Way better than I expected it to, I have to admit. Oddly the red Homesense sign adds so much to it....

And yes... Capitol is deep. I believe it's 8 levels of UG parking?

[squeezied]

l'hermitage is awesome! im really glad it compliments westin

[excel]

thanks for the updates.

[officedweller]

L'Hermitage definitely adds a big city feel to the corner.

There's an ad in the Province today with a better Beasley rendering. Doesn't quite look as bad as in the other one (not great, just not as bad).


Here's a pic of Yaletown showing 3 roof projects - 1155 Mainland repairing the roof; Yaletown brewing getting additional office floors added; and the future Earls site - not sure what is being done to it.

[officedweller]

The Beasley website has the updated rendering - not too too bad - still a bit jumbled with lots going on.

http://www.thebeasley.com/

[Yume-sama]

^^ It looks a lot more flattering than previous renders of it. I've changed my mind on it... again