Downtown Vancouver Updates

[Hed Kandi]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Blasting rock - seems to be taking the a long time - and they have to go deep.

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The crane for Atelier (Robson & Homer) is being erected today.


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Glass facade at the old Capitol 6 entrance on Granville is complete - looks great.

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Glass has been installed at grade on the TV Tower closer to the library.

How's the glass on the TV towers?

Same aquamarine color as the rest of Concord's buildings?

[Hed Kandi]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Items listed today for the UDP meeting on March 26th.

1. 4:15 pm :
999 Seymour Street
DE: 411857
Use: 21-storey retail/office/resdiential building .
Zoning: CD-1
Application Status: Complete
Review: Second (following rezoning)
Architect: Acton Ostry Architects
Staff: Ralph Segal

2. 5:15 pm :
701 West Gerogia Street
DE: 411749
Use: Addition to Pacific Centre to replace the rotunda and public plaza with a two storey addition for retail use .
Zoning: CD-1
Application Status: Complete
Review: First
Architect: Abbarch Architecture Inc.
Staff: Dale Morgan

Nothing new that we didn't know about. Amazing just how much development has gone on along Seymour.

Ooh can't wait for the addition to Pacific Centre. I hope that it has great street appeal.

[Hed Kandi]

New owners promise Sun Tower restoration
One owner acquitted of murder in 1995
Derrick Penner

Sun

Wednesday, March, 19, 2008



New highrise developments are being build near the Sun Tower at Pender and Beatty streets. Photograph by : Ward Perrin, Vancouver Sun






The Sun Tower, one of Vancouver's premiere heritage buildings, has been sold to new owners who promise to restore it as "one of the most beautiful architectural jewels in the city."

"When I saw it was for sale, I was ready to jump for it," said Phil Kim, owner of Sun Capital Corp.

Before becoming a developer, Kim was one of six men charged, along with Peter Gill and Bindy Johal, in the murders of criminal gang members Ron and Jimmy Dosanjh.

All five were acquitted of charges in 1995, but Kim, Gill and co-accused Mike Budai were later ordered retried on appeal after juror Gillian Guess was convicted of obstruction of justice for having an affair with Gill during the first trial. (Bindy Johal was killed in a 1998 nightclub shooting before a second trial could begin.)

Charges against the remaining men were stayed in 2002 after B.C. justice officials concluded conviction would be unlikely.

"I was hoping you wouldn't relate [the case] to this day," Kim said Tuesday.

"What needs to be clarified is I've never been in trouble with the law before or since [the case]," Kim added.

"This was somebody saying something about me. Obviously that's why I was cleared."

As for the business of the Sun Tower, Kim said the 1912 building "has this sense of Europe more than those [other historical] buildings" including the Marine Building, Hotel Vancouver or even the Dominion building.

Kim joined with James Hong, owner of real estate firm Argo Ventures Inc., to buy the building. The transaction closed Monday. No parties would disclose the purchase price, but its value was assessed at $6.16 million on its 2008 property assessment by the BC Assessment Authority.

Kim said he and Hong will spruce up the building, clear out renovations that have covered over much of the 1912 building's interior character and turn it into "more modern, funky, loft-kind-of offices."

Hong said that with downtown office vacancies at historic lows, "it is a great time to own office buildings in Vancouver, especially ones as unique as the Sun Tower."

Down the road, he and Hong will look at the possibility of investing in a full heritage restoration.

The Sun Tower is a designated heritage building, and Kim said they would work with the City of Vancouver on a plan that could involve some assistance.

"To restore [historical buildings] is not a profitable proposal for landlords," he said, so the city helps out by offering things such as density bonuses that owners can apply to other projects or breaks on property taxes.

"As a developer you would never say no to a situation [in which] you can improve your building and also have somebody help you do it," he said. "But at the end of the day we would be happy owning this building and just making sure it's taken care of."

For the previous 40 years, the Sun Tower was owned by Vancouver's Moscovitch family, with Dale Moscovitch selling it on to Kim and Hong.

Heritage consultant Donald Luxton called the 17-storey Sun Tower "one of the top [heritage buildings]" in Vancouver, with a "phenomenal history."

Designed by architect William Tuff Whiteway, and built by Louis D. Taylor, publisher of the World newspaper, the tower opened in 1912 as the World Building. Briefly, it was the tallest building in the British Empire.

It was the Sun Tower and home of The Vancouver Sun from 1924 to 1964, and Luxton said it has also been known as the Bekins Building, headquarters of Bekins Moving and Storage.

Clare Stevens, an agent with the selling realtor, Barclay Street Real Estate, said there were nine offers made on the Sun Tower.

He added that interest in the neighbourhood around the Sun Tower at the corner of Pender and Beatty streets is growing, with some 14 new highrise residential buildings being built within three blocks of it.

"That's not counting Woodward's one block away," Stevens added. "So recreation is definitely underway down there."

© The Vancouver Sun 2008




Slowly but surely Vancouver is taking back the neighbourhood it lost to crack!

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Hed Kandi

How's the glass on the TV towers?

Same aquamarine color as the rest of Concord's buildings?

Looks clear. No noticeable tint, but the spandrels and the mullions tend to influence the perception of the glass colour - no sign of those yet. Some of the spandrels are supposed to be coloured. Not sure whether clear glass would look good all over this tower. Still no glass on the residnetial floors yet (unless there's some around back)

[Jacques]

I stopped by the Concord Pacific HD today, the girls are truly well groomed and very amicable. I asked about the project in development for DTES and so far the only one is the Powell Street, and then this summer they will start selling the new development at 58 West Hasting Street, they haven't found a name yet and it will be 7 to 9 Storey in height and the building starts at the Portage clad complex and ends at the old bank complex kiddy corner to Woodwards.
The Building on the south east side of Cambie Street is a go for non market housing, bought from the city.
There is also a Highrise going up at foot of Cambie Street bridge that sounds very interesting and was given the go ahead.
Lastly the land east of the Granville Bridge where the Cab company sits was purchase by Concord and there will be redevelopment of a Granville Island style market and commerce style with social housing.
The Glass of the TV Towers is from what the salesperson at Concord Pacific told be it would be Green.
The project from the Old art Studio building on Main near the Viaduct off ramp is a development of Henderson.
there is a call for 6 to nine Highrises to be built between the BC place entertainment complex straddling along Pacific boulevard and Carrall, but these projects will start only after the ending of the Olympics of 2010.
Last note to all project there is also NYMBIES which are naturally the ones owning units along Quebec street complaining that they haven't got their park yet and opposed the streetcar coming down along their backwards.
Plans and designs for the 58 west Hasting will be unveiled this summer as for the rest it is a wait and see game, it was a very enligthing afternoon filled with maybe a lot of hear say and yet some concrete effort in trying to state the obvious of what is in store for this part of town.
that is is for now

[Jacques]

NEED confirmations, there was a segment on Global BC news about a Museum being built outside Ottawa and naturally when I search their webbpage for the news to that effect there was like vanished of the face of the earth, the ssegment was so short if you blink youd'e missed it, but it showed a very unique design and though for a second it might have been related to the VAG, enquiring mind need to know, any one heard or know a thing or two about this!
thanks

[bils]

^^^ yeah, that story was on global last night, and it was regarding the national museum of human rights being built in winnipeg. it will be the first national museum in canada outside of ottawa.

[Yume-sama]

I don't understand those museums. Who would ever go to them? It's like the National Portrait Gallery that Calgary is pushing for, or the new Agricultural Museum that will be going up on the Stampede Grounds. Like really, who wants to go look at pictures of Chretien and then learn how they make hay bails? I really limit myself to interesting museums and galleries, the others... just a waste of money in my mind.

[SpongeG]

why have any kind of museum than

i remember travelling around the prairies as a kid having to go to the most mudane dull museums

but i look back and am glad i got to see them

just like skyscraper nerds there are museum nerds who plan their vacations around what museums they can visit - bodes well for cities like winnipeg and calgary if they have a draw

[Jacques]

Originally Posted by bils

^^^ yeah, that story was on global last night, and it was regarding the national museum of human rights being built in winnipeg. it will be the first national museum in canada outside of ottawa.

thank you so much for the information

[Jacques]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

I don't understand those museums. Who would ever go to them? It's like the National Portrait Gallery that Calgary is pushing for, or the new Agricultural Museum that will be going up on the Stampede Grounds. Like really, who wants to go look at pictures of Chretien and then learn how they make hay bails? I really limit myself to interesting museums and galleries, the others... just a waste of money in my mind.

to each is own, some museum are for special interest others more refine, I like art museum and the museum architecture in Montreal, when it first opened I lined up all night so I could be the first in, and every time I get to go there I stop by, so I like architecture and others love hay and Chretien, I like Gauguin and Van Goh Rodin and JP Getty LA Museum.

truly it is worth a look just to inform oneself for a better understanding here is the link:

http://www.canadianmuseumforhumanrights.com/index.cfm?pageID=55

[Built Form]

Re: Jacques post 1128 comment about Concord buying the cab company land east of the Granville bridge.

The cab company lies WEST of the Granville bridge. The Old Continental hotel and a parking lot comprises the east side.
Please clarify.

[Jacques]

Originally Posted by Built Form

Re: Jacques post 1128 comment about Concord buying the cab company land east of the Granville bridge.

The cab company lies WEST of the Granville bridge. The Old Continental hotel and a parking lot comprises the east side.
Please clarify.

From the best of the conversation I had this afternoon at Concord Pacific, the lady pointed out that the area east of the Granville Bridge was to be converted into a style market and assorted business similar to Granville Island, that was the extent of my conversation about that area as she did mentioned the purchase of the Cab company, I left it at that.
As I mentioned earlier some maybe hear say, until all is defined in their projects, I was more interested in finding out what was in store for the DTES and North False creek area, due that I reside in Gastown.
I strongly suggest you to stop by their new office and chat with the ladies, one who's very knowledgeable about the future of the Concord development I haven't a clue of her name, but I am sure they will all supply anyone with the necessary information if requested, as I did ask a lots of question and few things such as a new marina near their site grabbed my attention due that my friend has a boat anchor at the marina of BC place for the last 3 years!
hope this helps,
After a few hours chatting I tried to remember as correctly as I could about all the news the area will be undergoing.

BTW: Gastown square building is undergoing extensive reno, the stilts are going up tomorrow.
cheer

[officedweller]

Thanks for all of the Concord information.

The under the bridge market in an initiative of the City, but I suppose would involve private developers. The "cab" site in question could be the old(?) towing yard that is under the bridge. Or doesn't/didn't Black Top Cabs also have a site within one of the loops on the north side of Pacific? Those ramps/roads are being replotted into rectangular blocks. Anyways, we'll wait and see where the exact site is located.

The project near the Cambie Bridge has a development permit application sign up - can't recall the details, but I think its 2 towers, a 20ish and a 30ish - at one time office, now probably condos. Previous plans for the site also had a big public plaza.

[Hed Kandi]

Originally Posted by Jacques

to each is own, some museum are for special interest others more refine, I like art museum and the museum architecture in Montreal, when it first opened I lined up all night so I could be the first in, and every time I get to go there I stop by, so I like architecture and others love hay and Chretien, I like Gauguin and Van Goh Rodin and JP Getty LA Museum.

truly it is worth a look just to inform oneself for a better understanding here is the link:

http://www.canadianmuseumforhumanrights.com/index.cfm?pageID=55

Cool museum, but to build it in the middle of a wasteland like Winnipeg?

[sono65]

Originally Posted by Hed Kandi

Cool museum, but to build it in the middle of a wasteland like Winnipeg?

No need to call Winnipeg a wasteland. I'm from there, and yes it has nothing on Vancouver, but it does have it's charms for a city it's size. Personally I think it's great to see projects like this coming to the smaller cities. You should be happy to see cities like Winnipeg and Hamilton getting projects of this caliber. It helps prop our country up as a whole.

[hollywoodnorth]

The Crane for Attelier on Robson is up

[officedweller]

That was fast - they were still working on the tower part of it this morning.

[mooks28]

Originally Posted by Hed Kandi

Cool museum, but to build it in the middle of a wasteland like Winnipeg?

It was Winnepeg's Asper family that launched the thing in the first place. They're the folks that own Canwest.

[osirisboy]

theres a rendering up on granville for that parking lot beside wings. i was driving so i didnt get a good look, i think it looked good though.