Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project | Completed - Page 44

mr.x · #**861** Posted **Apr 3, 2009, 7:56 PM**

A building is a symbol, as is the act of destroying it. Symbols are given power by people. A symbol, in and of itself is powerless, but with enough people behind it, blowing up a building can change the world.
- V, from V for Vendetta

That much is true....except for the whole blowing up part thing, which hopefully doesn't apply to our case. But, just take a look at the World Trade Centre twin towers on the day of 9/11.

officedweller · #**862** Posted **Apr 3, 2009, 8:58 PM**

Great pics! Thanks.

There seems to be an overabundance of those light post / bollards. Seems like they may be a tripping hazard / pedestrian obstacle since they're so low.

LotusLand · #**863** Posted **Apr 3, 2009, 9:14 PM**

I just took a walk around the VCC and it is absolutely huge. Definitely a powerful building if I've ever seen one. I also think it has the ability to finally be the public gathering spot Vancouver so desperately needs.

One question I have is with respect to the retail component, I walked along the bottom portion and wondered if all of it will be retail i.e. all around the building. If so I could see that being a huge plus for attracting ppl from the lower offices of Downtown.

Anyways, magnificent building far exceeding my expectations. I urge you all to check it out. In due time it could very well become an iconic building of sorts.

mr.x · #**864** Posted **Apr 3, 2009, 9:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LotusLand

I just took a walk around the VCC and it is absolutely huge. Definitely a powerful building if I've ever seen one. I also think it has the ability to finally be the public gathering spot Vancouver so desperately needs.

One question I have is with respect to the retail component, I walked along the bottom portion and wondered if all of it will be retail i.e. all around the building. If so I could see that being a huge plus for attracting ppl from the lower offices of Downtown.

Anyways, magnificent building far exceeding my expectations. I urge you all to check it out. In due time it could very well become an iconic building of sorts.

Speaking of public gathering spot, the new convention centre will be the site of the festivities for the 2011 Grey Cup.

Anyhow, I'm heading to library square...i might stop by at the convention centre, and if i do i'll try to take a gazillion pics!

vansky · #**865** Posted **Apr 3, 2009, 9:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightrail

That is one ugly building. I can't believe that it got built in Vancouver. The streetscape is not human scale. It's overpowering - sorry, but I don't like it.

Other than the green roof, it looks like they dusted off some old plans from the 1970s and dumped it in Vancouver's harbour. Too bad, it could have been so much better with more attention to design.

i agree, especially when you look at the interior. and in the video, somebody spoke for such a conservative style. anyways, this project, along with the rest of the canada line stations haven't been in my favour. the older one, which is the shangri-la, was especially disappointing to me becaus it's a stick, like the style of skyscrapers in the 70s, but only with fancier glass on the outside. however, most of these architecture fit very nicely with vancouver's other buildings.

if you say these newer projects were built in the 70s, i would almost agree and believe~

metroXpress · #**866** Posted **Apr 4, 2009, 12:40 AM**

Thanks for all the pictures SFU Vancouver. They were great shots and I bet it took you quite a while to upload all those. I really appreciate them.

Looking forward to the open house on Saturday and Sunday..I'll be there to check it out and take lots of pictures inside.

mr.x · #**867** Posted **Apr 4, 2009, 2:49 AM**

There's a 20 second fireworks display at 8:50 pm....i took at hundred or so pictures earlier today, will post them later.

metroXpress · #**868** Posted **Apr 4, 2009, 3:30 AM**

^ Great...I can't wait to see them.

mr.x · #**869** Posted **Apr 4, 2009, 4:30 AM**

The new facility is a mammoth....as a Vancouverite, I've gotta say that I'm quite proud of this facility. And I haven't even seen the interior yet!

The first 18 of 150+ photos...

That's right, i'm posting 'em all. You've got no choice.

Note that my pictures begin from the eastern promenade, and then I make a big loop...two loops actually.

Another 18 photos in an hour or so...

SFUVancouver · #**870** Posted **Apr 4, 2009, 4:34 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen

Thanks for all the pictures SFU Vancouver. They were great shots and I bet it took you quite a while to upload all those. I really appreciate them.

Thanks Allen.

I went by today in the sunshine and found the seawall packed with people and lots of tourists taking their "I'm in Vancouver!" photos with the mountains and Canada Place in the background.

Truthfully I think the plaza will be a pretty dead space much of the time, though far from a failed space. I think there will be constant traffic along the pedestrian desire lines that lead from the street to the staircases down to the Seawall. The "lookout" at the end of the plaza will also naturally draw people for the view alone but I don't see people lingering there.

I do think the plaza has phenomenal potential for programmed events like the aforementioned Grey Cup celebrations, the Canada Day fireworks, and please, oh please, New Year's Eve.

I doubt that it will become the city's automatic gathering space but I am confident it will serve admirably for special events and as part of the texture of our waterfront. The Seawall and restaurants, however, are going to be absolutely roaring successes.

[edit] Well done x2! Very nice set. In fact I really appreciate having shots of postcard weather to compare with my "average Vancouver winter weather" shots.

osirisboy · #**871** Posted **Apr 4, 2009, 4:41 AM**

MR X. I love the pics keep them coming!!!!!!!!!

I fuckin love this thing

mr.x · #**872** Posted **Apr 4, 2009, 5:39 AM**

....continued.

3D Ninja · #**873** Posted **Apr 4, 2009, 6:05 AM**

Ya, nice pics, and I have a feeling that we won't really understand how awesome this building is until the roof and planters completely fill out

mr.x · #**874** Posted **Apr 4, 2009, 6:15 AM**

....continued

EdinVan · #**875** Posted **Apr 4, 2009, 6:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Great pics! Thanks.

There seems to be an overabundance of those light post / bollards. Seems like they may be a tripping hazard / pedestrian obstacle since they're so low.

I think the bigger tripping hazard would be a pitch black walkway at night

Personally, I'd like to see even more light posts (or at least ones without burnt out bulbs).

EdinVan · #**876** Posted **Apr 4, 2009, 7:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LotusLand

I just took a walk around the VCC and it is absolutely huge. Definitely a powerful building if I've ever seen one. I also think it has the ability to finally be the public gathering spot Vancouver so desperately needs.

Powerful is the word that came to mind for me, too -- at least from street level. From a distance, it looks fair unobstrusive and restrained. I guess it has a nice split personality.

Overall, I'm very impressed. Initially I hated the entire project, but now I love it. I think it really adds to the texture of the area.