Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project | Completed - Page 46

red-paladin · #**901** Posted **Apr 4, 2009, 10:45 PM**

The largest centres on that list are presumably intended to host multiple giant and small sized conventions / events at the same time.
With our current space, there are probably few conventions that would be 'too big' for the entire convention centre (new and old combined) to host.
Also, we do have BC Place, SFU grounds, and lots of other places that host small conventions too, and we don't have 10 million people in the city. So I think the size envy thing is a little over blown.
If convention space was really at a premium in the future, it would be better to build more convention centres in Burnaby, Surrey and Richmond than to have one giant building that takes up all of coal harbour. At least then, there would be a lot of flexibility, and different locations at different price rates.
Like some previous comments noted, some conventions are completely inward focused events, and could really be held quite nicely in a giant building with lots of big rooms in the desert (like las vegas), and others benefit greatly from a fantastic location in the middle of the waterfront.

SFUVancouver · #**902** Posted **Apr 4, 2009, 10:50 PM**

The last page was getting pretty photo-heavy so I've moved my open house photos to this page.

Taken by SFUVancouver, April 4th, 2009

crhayes · #**903** Posted **Apr 4, 2009, 11:00 PM**

Really nice building, although I'm not really digging the floor (looks like carpet tile) having the same pattern as the walls.... it's a little too crazy. The wood on the ceiling also gives it a retro feel IMO...

officedweller · #**904** Posted **Apr 4, 2009, 11:42 PM**

Thanks for the pics

raggedy13 · #**905** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 12:15 AM**

Great pics, SFUVancouver. Thanks. Sure looks busy there.

Yume-sama · #**906** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 12:19 AM**

It looks awesome! Thanks for the pics!

GeeCee · #**907** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 1:05 AM**

Hard to believe that something this nice is in Vancouver.. the next five years are gonna be pretty awesome.

mr.x · #**908** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 1:16 AM**

Amazing!!! Thanks for the pics SFU!

I'll probably head down there again myself tomorrow since i have stuff to do in downtown, and take a bunch of interior pics while i'm at it.

If you ask me, there's one thing that's missing in this project: a concert/performing arts centre hall. The 1,500-seat venue was slated to be on the west end of the expansion, but was axed due to rising costs.

More exterior pics from yesterday still to come...

TwoFace · #**909** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 2:18 AM**

After today’s tour, I’m totally impressed.
This should be a huge international/local success.
The building can accommodate anything from a small business seminar to an international car show, and everything in between.
If anyone hasn’t gone through today, tomorrow is a must.

mr.x · #**910** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 2:25 AM**

The last batch of yesterday's exterior pictures:

vansky · #**911** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 2:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeeCee

Hard to believe that something this nice is in Vancouver.. the next five years are gonna be pretty awesome.

this is vancouver, not some crazy village.

btw, GaWC has dropped vancouver from a beta- in 2004 to a crazy gamma + in 2008. Talk about the next five years, we could be out of scene in the league. With ritz-carlton gone, our chances for improvement is lowered. Vancouver is New York compared to the villages, and very much a village compared to the cities.

mr.x · #**912** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 2:26 AM**

GeeCee · #**913** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 2:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by vansky

this is vancouver, not some crazy village.

btw, GaWC has dropped vancouver from a beta- in 2004 to a crazy gamma + in 2008. Talk about the next five years, we could be out of scene in the league. With ritz-carlton gone, our chances for improvement is lowered. Vancouver is New York compared to the villages, and very much a village compared to the cities.

I don't know jack about GaWC but from looking at it, we're not even Gamma anymore.. that being said, with the infrastructure going in over the next few years plus the Olympics, things are gonna start to change real quick, ritz-carlton or no.

Jacques · #**914** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 2:34 AM**

SFU I agree with you, this place is truly a gem, other than little challenges such as the soap dispenser in the washroom keeps spreeing if you get too close to it while washing your hands. I truly like the idea of environmentally friendly usage of the utilities, the roof, carpet walls and lights.
One thing that really really tick me off, is why on earth a building that promotes itself as green, would dare and did dare put PLASTIC plants all over the place, too showcase the meeting rooms and hallways, I hope this is just temporary, it truly bugged the hell out of me, I mentioned this topic to some of the volunteers and they will pass it on to the echelon I guess.
It would have been nice to have suggestion box so we the people who are paying for this place can submit some innovation to improve the place.
I wish to also mentioned that not all is wheelchair or handicap accessible.
I stay confident that they will ensure this is fixed, and that more greens space and potted trees become a fixture outside and inside as time progresses.
that being said, one needs to remember the place is promoted as the largest green roof of its kind, knowing well enough it is closed to the public usage, but the plaza is for all and more green space would definitely embellish this venue.
you beat me to the punch line as far as photography, I am impress with the gigantic earth Globe set in the main hall, and the usage of aluminum wall adorning the lower level, it looks like pebbles.
I hope those who will take a moment tomorrow to visit can enjoy it as much as those who left in awe of a great architectural marvel.
Cheer

vansky · #**915** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 2:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeeCee

I don't know jack about GaWC but from looking at it, we're not even Gamma anymore.. that being said, with the infrastructure going in over the next few years plus the Olympics, things are gonna start to change real quick, ritz-carlton or no.

I assume you mean infra. by things like the skytrain. Ritz-carlton is symbolic, the rest of the things, the skytrains are basic, that's my opinion. Ritz means rich, rich means status. PT means mass. Public transit is a basic thing in a city, we dont have to treat it as something extrodinary, because it's not. It might be something not every north american city does well, but let's take a look around the world. Those so called third world nations all have better public transit. The gateway program and the rest of the road projects are very basic things lacking behind schedule. Vancouverites need to project their view over the world, outside of Asia, North America, and the pacific rim. Many poorer cities' transportation looks fabulous compare to here. Dont let "Canada's frontier city" fool our perception about ourselves.

DrT · #**916** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 3:32 AM**

This is stunningly beautiful.

Time to be a proud Vancouverite and Canadian.

johnjimbc · #**917** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 3:33 AM**

Ok, This is totally geeky but I noticed the same thing Jacques did about the soap dispenser sensor being too close to the water sensor ; ).

My other little laughing moment was the labels over each individual urinal (at perfect eye level and quite prominent) to caution that the water used in the toilets and urinals was not potable and therefore should not be drunk. "Um, ok, thanks for pointing that out." I think they should reprint them with a final line that says, "Oh, and people piss here too"

.

The real kicker was in the bathroom I used there was NOT a sticker in front of the handicap accessible urinal (the one with huge handles on either side). It was obviously absent the sticker since it was in line with all the others. I chuckled, wondering if the implication was that the water used for it was different.
________________

Kidding aside, though, I was really quite impressed with the overall quality and scale and warmth of the structure. Between the expansive windows in the public spaces, the warmth of the extensive wood, the cool extras like little unexpected balcony areas, glimpses of the green roof, nice public furnishings, etc, I felt it all came together quite well. Kudos.

Denscity · #**918** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 4:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by vansky

I assume you mean infra. by things like the skytrain. Ritz-carlton is symbolic, the rest of the things, the skytrains are basic, that's my opinion. Ritz means rich, rich means status. PT means mass. Public transit is a basic thing in a city, we dont have to treat it as something extrodinary, because it's not. It might be something not every north american city does well, but let's take a look around the world. Those so called third world nations all have better public transit. The gateway program and the rest of the road projects are very basic things lacking behind schedule. Vancouverites need to project their view over the world, outside of Asia, North America, and the pacific rim. Many poorer cities' transportation looks fabulous compare to here. Dont let "Canada's frontier city" fool our perception about ourselves.

Not from around here?