Downtown Vancouver Updates - Page 173

CBeats · #**3441** Posted **Apr 16, 2009, 7:27 PM**

That building looks like a war bunker from the outside. Definitely something that should be rebuilt. And in such a good location too...

officedweller · #**3442** Posted **Apr 16, 2009, 8:27 PM**

The Aquatic Centre was probably designed more with heating and cooling in mind. Don't want a big green house with swelting temperatures in the summer given the south exposure. I don't think the UBC aquatic centre has a lot of windows either.

officedweller · #**3443** Posted **Apr 16, 2009, 8:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlousa

Looks like concord is still moving ahead with Cosmo (Specturm 5), they are applying to increase the number of units in the tower.

Interesting - I would have thought that smaller units would be geared towards investors (think Yaletown Park), but they seem to think that it'll be first time buyers buying the units.

sacrifice333 · #**3444** Posted **Apr 16, 2009, 8:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Interesting - I would have thought that smaller units would be geared towards investors (think Yaletown Park), but they seem to think that it'll be first time buyers buying the units.

probably both.

osirisboy · #**3445** Posted **Apr 16, 2009, 9:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

The Aquatic Centre was probably designed more with heating and cooling in mind. Don't want a big green house with swelting temperatures in the summer given the south exposure. I don't think the UBC aquatic centre has a lot of windows either.

well we dont usually have sweltering temperatures but they could just tint the windows or something it wouldn't be difficult. I think they built it that way simply because brutalist architecture was in style.

Kodii · #**3446** Posted **Apr 16, 2009, 10:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

The Aquatic Centre was probably designed more with heating and cooling in mind. Don't want a big green house with swelting temperatures in the summer given the south exposure. I don't think the UBC aquatic centre has a lot of windows either.

Pools are almost always stuffy, and more windows would make it worse. The area of the UBC pool with the skylight was absolutely sweltering during Storm the Wall, and it wasn't even warm outside. The only exception I can think of is Walnut Grove, which has many windows and is never stuffy, but its structure allows for adequate circulation.

Also, the UBC Aquatic Centre doesn't really need windows. It would have a view of the concrete SUB Plaza, a parking lot and McInnes field. The outdoor pool is spectacular though.

duener · #**3447** Posted **Apr 16, 2009, 11:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Grace... what a train wreck.

My thoughts exactly... why couldn't they have chosen a more subtle grey stone without the drastic white/brown contrast?

I guess in some ways it makes you think that bland painted concrete or bland green windows are better than what some developers can dream up.

Someone mentioned the "celebrity"... it's probably easier to just put "small towns hurray" in your tagline... hey I love Tama Tagarert minus 5 years.. that doesn't mean they (celebs) have taste

officedweller · #**3448** Posted **Apr 17, 2009, 12:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by osirisboy

well we dont usually have sweltering temperatures but they could just tint the windows or something it wouldn't be difficult. I think they built it that way simply because brutalist architecture was in style.

Note sure of the age of the building, but if the early - mid 1970s I would guess that space frames and the like (law courts, SFU) were also in style at the time.

Spork · #**3449** Posted **Apr 17, 2009, 1:00 AM**

The pool quite simply needs a retractable roof.

(with bird protection, of course)

osirisboy · #**3450** Posted **Apr 17, 2009, 1:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Note sure of the age of the building, but if the early - mid 1970s I would guess that space frames and the like (law courts, SFU) were also in style at the time.

your right and they are also a bit bunkerish arent they? albeit they do have some windows but nothing really open.

red-paladin · #**3451** Posted **Apr 17, 2009, 1:34 AM**

Regarding the previously posted document:

2.0 2031 Transit Network Assumptions
On the transit network, the following modifications between 2004 and 2031 were
assumed in the transportation model:
• Canada Line
• Millennium Line Extension to UBC (SkyTrain technology)
• Eastern extension of Expo Line in Surrey to 160th Street
• Evergreen Line to Coquitlam (SkyTrain technology)
• Streetcar:
o Phase Zero – Granville Island to Science World
o Phase One – Science World to Waterfront
o Stanley Park Extension
o Pacific Boulevard Extension
o Arbutus Corridor/Granville Street to Downtown
• Additional transit services as per the 2004 Area Transit Plan
• Third Seabus

My comments:
Sweet! It looks like this is what Translink, City Hall, and Falcon want.
I am very happy to see that the arbutus corridor is planned for streetcar,
that is exactly what I was hoping they would do when they put the
Canada line on cambie and left arbutus for later.
If we get all of the rapid transit promised, like you all said, ALRT and WCE is the base system, and then busses, trolleys, streetcars take the local
traffic. I believe Vancouver would really be 'the best place to live' if that is all developed.
The only problem with our current system is that is very convenient and fast to take transit to about 33% of places, another 33% of places you can get to with transit but it might be faster to drive, and 33% of places that it takes to long to get there, or you flat out can't get there at all.
Operation times are another big problem they need to improve.
I live in Poco, and when the WCE is running (or with the Skytrain coming, it's fantastic) and busses come often, it only takes me an hour to get to work and back, which is faster than a car most of the time. However, at midnight,
it only takes 50min to get from Waterfront Station to Coquitlam Centre Station on the #160, but there is NO BUS

to north Poco, and I have to take a taxi home, or wait 40 min for a bus that takes me half the way, and then another 15-20 to walk home.

Sorry for complaining.. but basically, I have a lot of optimism of the future once I read this list!!!!!!

jlousa · #**3452** Posted **Apr 17, 2009, 3:52 AM**

Interesting was just checking out Onni's site for 1022 Seymour, the project is now called Level, I knew they would be rentals, but I wasn't aware they were going to be serviced apartments, they sounds really nice, but expensive.

http://www.stayinglevel.com/index.htm

On a somewhat related topic, looks like 1372 Seymour is going back to the DPB, it was approved last year but with alot of conditions. They have probably resolved those conditions and are coming back for final approval. Still nice to see some signs of life out there.
For those that don't know which project this is it's at Seymour and Pacific where the community garden is now.

Quote:

To construct a 33 storey tower residential building containing a 37 space child daycare on the ground floor of the podium level. The proposal includes a 10% heritage density transfer and a additional density for the daycare.

SFUVancouver · #**3453** Posted **Apr 17, 2009, 5:08 AM**

^ That's going to be a nice one.

Delirium · #**3454** Posted **Apr 17, 2009, 12:11 PM**

here';s the original. nothing special really. looks very similar to Elan down the street.

Hed Kandi · #**3455** Posted **Apr 17, 2009, 4:11 PM**

Anyone have any new info regarding the aquarium renovation & expansion?

officedweller · #**3456** Posted **Apr 17, 2009, 6:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delirium

here';s the original. nothing special really. looks very similar to Elan down the street.

It has a nice tall podium on the Pacific side with a courtyard gap down the middle, which adds interest versus the typical podiums around.

SFUVancouver · #**3457** Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 6:48 AM**

Woodwards

Taken by SFUVancouver, April 16th, 2009

Woodwards

Taken by SFUVancouver, April 16th, 2009

The infamous Woodwards slab extension

Taken by SFUVancouver, April 16th, 2009

Paris Block and Paris Annex (on hold?)

Taken by SFUVancouver, April 16th, 2009

Smart Gastown

Taken by SFUVancouver, April 16th, 2009

Garage

Taken by SFUVancouver, April 16th, 2009

Espana

Taken by SFUVancouver, April 16th, 2009

Yaletown Brewing vertical addition

Taken by SFUVancouver, April 16th, 2009

Hed Kandi · #**3458** Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 12:23 PM**

Great photos! (as usual

)

flight_from_kamakura · #**3459** Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 5:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

Espana

Taken by SFUVancouver, April 16th, 2009

this is such a great view. thanks for these.

mr.x · #**3460** Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 9:34 PM**

I've gotta wonder, how is T&T's business doing down there? I recall them having a ton of businesses from people who drive when that parking lot across the street was there.