General Vancouver Updates

[entheosfog]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Someone was asking about this project but I can't find that post anymore. Looks really nice for infill. It's done by Rize Alliance, they have a few interesting projects in the works. This one will be called Containers. It'll be 7 stories, 146,000sqft, LEED Gold, geothermal heating/cooling, under floor heating, Rooftop patio, showers and bike lockers, free gym for tenants, and will be completed in 2010.









Link to pdf on the project, mentions some developments in the surrounding area.

http://www.rize.ca/stream_file.php?fileId=3&fileType=file&index=3

hey thanks! I was asking about that site because I noticed that sign had gone up there and it was strictly just a teaser billboard.

[Metro-One]

Where is this going?

[SpongeG]

on terminal near main - across from those two ugly buildings by the train/bus station...

[Metro-One]

Good, there are so many large ugly plots of open land in that area that need to be developed. (i am not talking about the rail yards, we need to keep those). Why is it that the two main ways of getting into Vancouver from the east (along hastings and first Ave/Terminal) are so dirty or fugly. Is the hospital idea still a go in that area? Because i think that is a great idea.

[vanman]

This is the direction Vancouver architecture needs to go. Although not spectacular Containers (stupid,stupid name) is sweet, above average infill.

[jlousa]

If you read the pdf link it shows some of the other developments scheduled for the area, the hospital is listed as is a new park behind the hospital. It's pretty well a given now that a hospital will be built there, the question though is when, and I can't see it being started for a good few years.
They also list a new Tim hortons at Terminal and Station St which will also have 13,000sqft of officespace. There the Red Truck brewery site which will also have quite a bit extra leasable space. I beleive the only remaining piece is the one owned by Chrysler/Cerberus which will probably be sold off.

[Architype]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Good, there are so many large ugly plots of open land in that area that need to be developed. (i am not talking about the rail yards, we need to keep those). Why is it that the two main ways of getting into Vancouver from the east (along hastings and first Ave/Terminal) are so dirty or fugly. Is the hospital idea still a go in that area? Because i think that is a great idea.

There are blocks and blocks of semi industrial and other uses in these areas. It's really cosmetically challenged within the context of the city, but those uses are necessary (and a little grit is nice). Those areas will provide lots of room for redevelopment in the future, but I think SE False Creek up towards Broadway will get much more immediate attention. However, I think the area right around Main and Terminal will improve rapidly with projects like the one shown above. This area is in a sense, the heart of the city.

[Metro-One]

No no no, i a not talking about the plots of land that are being used, i am taking about the big empty plots that are just mud, i would be happy if they were industrial sites, but they are nothing.

And by the dirty part i was talking about the disaster called east hastings, a little grit is good for a city in areas i agree, but not having North Americas poorest district as a "welcome to Vancouver" sign.

[officedweller]

Thanks! That building should look awesome. Is the Tim Horton's in the Long & McQuade Building?

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Good, there are so many large ugly plots of open land in that area that need to be developed. (i am not talking about the rail yards, we need to keep those). Why is it that the two main ways of getting into Vancouver from the east (along hastings and first Ave/Terminal) are so dirty or fugly. Is the hospital idea still a go in that area? Because i think that is a great idea.

Much of that area (northest of the VIA Station) was previously rail yards that were decommissioned. The Grand Trunk Railway Station was located to the north of the existing VIA Station, but when Grand Trunk merged into CN, the station was demolished - can't recall when. The tracks remained until the 1980s or so I think. There were also more rail sidings on the south side of Terminal Ave that have been decommisisoned over time.

Here's a Global Air Photo from 1982 - shows the SkyTrain demonstration track too



Similar shot from 2007 (couldn't find a 2008 shot from the same angle) - note the new City works yard in the wedge of what was railyards:

[rather_draconian]

The shiny metallic finish on that Containers building looks super cool. I like!

[jlousa]

The Tim hortons will be just west of the Long & McQuade Building right on the corner, apparently it'll have 13K of leasable space as well as plenty of parking according to the info I have. That location had been destined to be a new BK once the old one closes down, I guess there was a slight change of plans.

I've heard some recent talks of connecting Glen Drive across the tracks, anyone else hear anything?

[officedweller]

Thanks.
Haven't heard anything about Glen Drive - but that would be great.
Could relate to access to the VPD — range project.

[Architype]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Here's a Global Air Photo from 1982 - shows the SkyTrain demonstration track too

I think it's later than 1982, BC Place wasn't built then. It was under construction though.

[SpongeG]

those plots were originally envisioned as an automall

much better to see whats going to go in there now than more dealerships

and speaking of dealerships - the chrysler on main is going out of business - i think its the one between mcdonalds and burger king - they said that rent was behind their decision

so I imagine something can start to happen with that area now

[entheosfog]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

those plots were originally envisioned as an automall

much better to see whats going to go in there now than more dealerships

and speaking of dealerships - the chrysler on main is going out of business - i think its the one between mcdonalds and burger king - they said that rent was behind their decision

so I imagine something can start to happen with that area now

That new Coastal Ford dealership on Terminal recently finished but it totally turns its back on Terminal and just has their parking lot next to the road and the building further back. I was quite disappointed with that aspect.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Architype

I think it's later than 1982, BC Place wasn't built then. It was under construction though.

Thta's the date that Global Air Photos quotes. He has other pics from 1982 with the inflation of the dome, so it was probably late 1982, before the opening in early 1983.

http://www.globalairphotos.com/gallery/BC/Vancouver/Downtown/1982/

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

and speaking of dealerships - the chrysler on main is going out of business - i think its the one between mcdonalds and burger king - they said that rent was behind their decision

The newspaper said that they couldn't agree on terms with Chrysler Canada to lease Chrysler Canada's land on Terminal (so it'll probably be sold off).

[osirisboy]

I bought my car and truck from chrysler on main and all i can say is finally that — is closing, i hate them!!! one of the worst dealerships i have ever seen.

[entheosfog]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

I bought my car and truck from chrysler on main and all i can say is finally that — is closing, i hate them!!! one of the worst dealerships i have ever seen.

I know it's a Chrysler thing and not to do with that particular dealership but I went in their a few months back to get a front license plate bracket for my Neon as I was finally registering it in BC. They wanted $90 for it! 90 dollars! I couldn't believe it. Just for a piece of plastic. I nearly told the guy to go to hell but I just walked out instead. Of course, waiting 5 minutes for someone to come to the counter didn't help out.
Yeah, just thought I'd throw that in....

[zivan56]

Looks like London Drugs is going to open quite soon in Crossroads...you can approach the entrance to it. They have a nice blue light on the entrance walls, which is quite interesting.