Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project | Completed - Page 38

ckkelley · #**741** Posted **Mar 11, 2009, 4:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locked In

You doubt that people will use an extension of the incredibly popular seawall that's directly adjacent to downtown?

I plan on using it regularly.

johnjimbc · #**742** Posted **Mar 11, 2009, 4:17 AM**

so the basic argument is no one will use the seawall. yeah . . . right.

Personally, I love the plaza area. I think that will be very popular. Incredible views already, and that's without even being able to walk out to the edge. Plus there is plenty of room for smaller performances and public events.

It's gonna be a great addition.

SpongeG · #**743** Posted **Mar 11, 2009, 4:52 AM**

the convention centre?

people are itching to walk around that thing

Vancouver_Highrise · #**744** Posted **Mar 11, 2009, 5:21 AM**

Sorry I didn't mean it like that. What I meant is people will probuly
be using the plaza more then the front of the con.centre. & what I meant
about SOH is that there is a large plaza in the front of the building. i.e more people.

(pics taken by me)
SORRY IM REALLY OFF TOPIC!

East Van · #**745** Posted **Mar 11, 2009, 6:52 AM**

Ive worked on the lower walkways/seawall extension. It should be busy, theres benches/seating areas, most areas are covered with high ceilings and it links up with the plaza upstairs & rest of seawall nicely. As expected the views are epic all the way around the outer edge. The pathways are good size, its bound to be popular.

Its definitely not like walking around the existing convention center.

metroXpress · #**746** Posted **Mar 11, 2009, 3:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by osirisboy

no allen. I meant something OTHER than a convention centre!!

since some people on here think having a convention centre in the current location on the awter is stupid, what would be better suited for that spot?

Ha...there weren't anything planned for the site of the new convention centre if the convention centre was built on the other side of Canada Place.

Take a look a this pic and keep in mind that 40% of the site is artificial land.
It's up to you to think what might be suitable. Vegas-inspired casinos, Sydney Opera House, Dubai-like artificial islands, nature-related public parks???? What do you want???

It is also too late now...

officedweller · #**747** Posted **Mar 11, 2009, 6:22 PM**

Hopefully the lower levels of the seawall will be used. Some activity will come from the Seaplane terminal and related uses (as well as the restaurant). Hopefully there will be good signage to the retail and restaurants down there.
Remember that Concord Pacific had concerns about the viability of retail along Marinaside Crescent farther away from the foot of Davie Street (and that's not grade separated) - that's why the retail stops at the middle complex (of the three complexes).

The original Marathon lands proposal for the Convention Centre area had 3 office towers plus a hotel and marina (as well as plazas, seawall, etc.
The density for the buildings was pulled back onto the Shaw Tower and Fairmont Pacific Rim sites. If the site was built as traditional office towers (subject of course to matket demand) you'd probably have as much pedestrian traffic/activity as Waterfront Centre.

wrenegade · #**748** Posted **Mar 11, 2009, 6:58 PM**

I think you'll see a whole lot of people who use or used to use Waterfront Centre move over to use the plaza space at the Convention Centre. The fact that it is right on the water is probably enough to do that, let alone the fact that there are up to 7 or 8 restaurants/cafés going in there (well that's the plan, we'll see how many sign a lease at the rates they expect).

djmk · #**749** Posted **Mar 11, 2009, 7:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen

Here are some of my pics taken on Jan 17th

i do not think many people will be walking around the cc. the main stairs from the existing sea wall lead you to the south side of the cc. as well, the north side of the building will not have the sun. and i really doubt, this area can support 7 or 8 new restaurants.

wrenegade · #**750** Posted **Mar 11, 2009, 7:46 PM**

First off, I said Restaurants/Cafés. I would imagine there will be 3 restuarants, and a bunch of coffee/sandwich/fast food type places. There will definitely be 2 restaurants, the one the Parks board is managing (far west of the site, seawall level) and the large one on the west side of the plaza.

Secondly, I think there will be no problem supporting these restaurants. We are more than doubling the Convention space which means hundreds, if not thousands of extra people per day when a convention is going on. Also, there will be another large hotel open within a year.

With regards to the seawall itself, that picture that is quoted does not show an up to date plan of the marina/seaplane terminal. The lower level seawall will end at the stairwell that is middle-right in that rendering. That stairwell will also service the seaplane terminal as it will be shifted east. The access from the lower seawall to the seaplane terminal in that rendering will not exist. Instead, there will be a stairwell from the main seawall level accessing the marina from approximately 3-4 columns in from the east side of the Convention Centre. As far as I know, that stairwall will not have access to the lower level seawall.

Also, from walking around the Convention Centre myself, the main seawall level will get a lot of use. There will be retail units along most of the main level there and the views are fantastic. Combine that will the darkness of the Canada Place extension road, and I feel most tourists will take the long way around.

osirisboy · #**751** Posted **Mar 11, 2009, 8:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen

Ha...there weren't anything planned for the site of the new convention centre if the convention centre was built on the other side of Canada Place.

Take a look a this pic and keep in mind that 40% of the site is artificial land.
It's up to you to think what might be suitable. Vegas-inspired casinos, Sydney Opera House, Dubai-like artificial islands, nature-related public parks???? What do you want???

It is also too late now...

I WANT the convention centre where it is!!! I was asking the people who didnt want the convention centre on the current site what they would rather have had instead. I thought that was clear in my previous post

SpongeG · #**752** Posted **Mar 11, 2009, 10:52 PM**

some good cheap food options will be nice - most of what is there is quite $$$ now

metroXpress · #**753** Posted **Mar 12, 2009, 12:01 AM**

^ Oh..that's what I want too! Let's have some good food there

osirisboy · #**754** Posted **Mar 12, 2009, 12:07 AM**

also, it would be nice if there would be lots of nice patios along the seawall part (as appose to just some random tables strewn about like a typical starbucks)

jlousa · #**755** Posted **Mar 12, 2009, 3:11 AM**

As far as I know there will only be the 2 restaurants although they will both be large. There will also be a coffee shop and some retail. I don't think there will be any lack of people between the conventions, the cruise ships and the events planned for the plaza.

wrenegade · #**756** Posted **Mar 12, 2009, 5:44 PM**

PCI and CBRE have only recently started marketing and trying to lease the retail stuff along the seawall. Yes there are only 2 purpose built restaurant spaces, but my bet is there will be more food options. The restaurant on the west side of the plaza will be huge. 2 levels with a patio, and more than 8,000sq. ft. I'm not sure what the plan is with the Parks Board's space.

Not sure if it has been mentioned here before, but BC Ferries has leased out the corner space of Burrard and Canada Place in the Fairmont.

wrenegade · #**757** Posted **Mar 13, 2009, 7:28 AM**

A bunch from March 6th. Flick account awvan.

This guy really wanted his picture taken:

Sorry about the light on these next two. This first one is of the extension of Thurlow street. The construction trailers have now been removed:

osirisboy · #**758** Posted **Mar 13, 2009, 11:59 AM**

thanks for all the pics. I go by there almost everyday when I take my dog for a walk and its amazing how fast theyre working.

Whats going on with that gaping opening in the 3rd pic? Is that where the restaurant is going?

metroXpress · #**759** Posted **Mar 13, 2009, 3:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlousa

As far as I know there will only be the 2 restaurants although they will both be large. There will also be a coffee shop and some retail. I don't think there will be any lack of people between the conventions, the cruise ships and the events planned for the plaza.

They will probably be the very expensive ones with famous cooks. For the high class again....

__________________________________________

awvan, thanks for your wonderful pics. I added you as a contact on Flickr!!
(My account: Vancouver 2010 )

djh · #**760** Posted **Mar 13, 2009, 6:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlousa

As far as I know there will only be the 2 restaurants although they will both be large. There will also be a coffee shop and some retail. I don't think there will be any lack of people between the conventions, the cruise ships and the events planned for the plaza.

This raises a question that I've wondered about. On premier constructions like this (and say the Shangri-La, The Melville, Bentall 5, etc.), when an architect designs a building's commercial space, which comes first, a confirmed tenant, or the design for a space?
I mean, I can't think of any restaurateur who would want to take on an 8,000sq. ft space. So is it just that the architects hope they'll design a huge space and eventually the real estate agents will find somebody who will fill it, or does the developer already know that a certain restaurateur is looking for an 8,000 sq ft. space on the waterfront (or whatever), and they're willing to wait the 3,4 years it takes for the plan to come into reality?

Anybody have some insight on this?
Thanks