Downtown Vancouver Updates

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by martinishaker

Anthony Bourdain and Discovery CH have an amazing show on Vancouver tonight

I saw it by pure accident. Besides the rain, it was very glowing. The food looked amazing and left me salivating.

[Skook]

entheosfog (how would one say that anyway?) - you are absolutely right, and I should have been clearer in regards to the DTES neighbourhood improvements. It's really the area from about Carrall west - and, soon, perhaps, as far east as Main - that is already improving noticibly and might surprise us with how quickly it transitions (at some point, there will start to be some buzz about this, and since the population base will be there, retailers and restaurants are likely to move in quickly, afraid of missing out).

However, this is certainly not the case with Openheimer Park and environs, which will, unfortunately, probably get even worse before they get better.

[jlousa]

Sorry if this has been posted before, but I got a kick out of watching the video on the opening page on the below website, it's a street car traveling the streets of Downtown Vancouver way back in 1907. Note all the chaotic traffic not to mention they were still on the opposite side of the road back then.

http://www.donaldluxton.com/

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

I saw it by pure accident. Besides the rain, it was very glowing. The food looked amazing and left me salivating.

Is this the one that was filmed two years ago when he visits Japadog? Or a new one...

[vanlaw]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Is this the one that was filmed two years ago when he visits Japadog? Or a new one...

It's the same one.

[jlousa]

I had mentioned some changes coming to the Vogue theatre a while back, here's a little more info.

(a) 918 Granville Street – Vogue Theatre
VHR A, National Historic Site
Development Permit enquiry
Owner intends on reconfiguring the main floor northern storefront (former location of Community Police office) into additional bathrooms for the theatre. In addition, they intend refurbishing the large fin sign and painting the exterior of the building. A 1941 article announcing the opening of the Vogue Theatre and the agenda paper prepared for the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, describes the finishes as follows:
Exterior:
- sand finished cement plaster painted a light "buff" colour.
- Pre-case ornamental plaques in a gold finish. The description also includes reference to other gold trimmed features "finials and battlements" (Not sure what this means?) It looks in some photographs like the details at the parapet and along the expressed lines of the front façade, may have been slightly darker in colour than the "light buff".
- Decorative wrought-iron screens, inset between plaster pilasters.
Storefronts:
- textured terra-cotta piers painted light "buff" - entry
- Wine colored structural glass with stainless steel mullions - entry
- Black marble vitrilux tiling framed by stainless steel mullions - storefronts bases
Fin Sign:
- Sign measures 62 feet in height. Cast relief letters spelling "Vogue", finished in green with yellow edging, beneath neon tubular outline. Field Colour of sign appeared to be similar to building. i.e. light buff. It appears that the letters were painted red early in the life of the building. Sign capped by a replica of the original 10 ft. figure representing the goddess Diana, finished in bronze.
Interior:
Auditorium:
Ceiling was in tiered plaster coves radiating out from the stage in stepped elliptical arcs and concealed 400 incandescent lights. The ceiling was painted orange fading to cream. The Proscenium was flanked by fluted columns painted ivory, side walls were covered in bas-relief draped female figures and murals by Ernest Prentice, of undersea themes, backlit with black lights which "fluoresced as the house lights dimmed. Lower part of auditorium walls were finished with veneers of black walnut and zebra wood, with the upper sections covered in peach colored velour over a blanket of wool and overlaid with an art deco design in silver. The auditorium was "renovated" in the 1960's, while the relief figures and fluted columns against the proscenium were removed; the walls were covered in a carpet. It is uncertain whether the murals still exist.
Lobby:
Paneling in the foyer is of Prima-Vera with Maple Columns; Checkerboard Maple has been used on each side of the theatre leading to the lounge. In the lounge there is Checkerboard Maple, Quitted Maple, and Fiddleback Maple, with Zebra wood columns. The side stair leading to the balcony has black walnut rails.

Issues/Comments requested:
(i) Proposed colour scheme, Note: Owner to present colour samples at meeting.
(ii) New bathroom locations. Note: Owner to declare future work to the exterior storefront in this location.
Applicants: Richard Gibbons, Gibbons Hospitality Group
Attachments: reduced drawings
Staff: Yardley McNeill, Heritage Planner

[entheosfog]

Originally Posted by Skook

entheosfog (how would one say that anyway?) - you are absolutely right, and I should have been clearer in regards to the DTES neighbourhood improvements. It's really the area from about Carrall west - and, soon, perhaps, as far east as Main - that is already improving noticibly and might surprise us with how quickly it transitions (at some point, there will start to be some buzz about this, and since the population base will be there, retailers and restaurants are likely to move in quickly, afraid of missing out).

However, this is certainly not the case with Openheimer Park and environs, which will, unfortunately, probably get even worse before they get better.

n-thee-oce fog!

I noticed a few months ago that a new restaurant opened on the 1000 block of Main on the east side of the street called Campagnolo. Pretty bold considering its surroundings (or lack thereof) there.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by entheosfog

n-thee-oce fog!

I noticed a few months ago that a new restaurant opened on the 1000 block of Main on the east side of the street called Campagnolo. Pretty bold considering its surroundings (or lack thereof) there.

its doing very very well. Don't forget there are lots of Average people in the area aka me at Citygate. We all can't eat McDicks and Subway for ever..........

[vanlaw]

Originally Posted by entheosfog

n-thee-oce fog!

I noticed a few months ago that a new restaurant opened on the 1000 block of Main on the east side of the street called Campagnolo. Pretty bold considering its surroundings (or lack thereof) there.

It's the same owners as Fuel on 4th. I have heard it is pretty good, but havent checked it out yet.

[LeftCoaster]

Well that sounds promising, Fuel is delicious.

Jlousa thanks for the info, sounds pretty fantastic.

I would assume this, like every other infrastructure project in the city is slated to be done in time for the Olympics?

[SpongeG]

yes fuel opened it - they must have some faith or cheap rent

[officedweller]

The first section of glass panels for Cadenza - the public art piece on VITA - has been installed.
Looks good - but not as colourful as I thought it would be based on the rendering.
There are gaps in it due to a wavey facade that allow for air flow - to allow exhaust fumes to escape.

[vanlaw]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

yes fuel opened it - they must have some faith or cheap rent

Both. There was a great article in Vancouver Magazine a while back about the new push for well done, cheaper options in out of the way/unusual locations - they cited Campagnolo, Boneta and Les faux Bourgeois (my current fav - awesome!) as examples.

At the end of the day, a city the size of Vancouver can handle only so may high end restaurants like West, Lumiere, Fuel, Market, Voya etc. All are great, but how often can you drop $150-200+ per person for dinner?

These new places offer fantastic food at great price points (due in part to the lower rent) in interesting buildings/locations. And given the economic climate of late, the trend was well timed.

[jlousa]

Campagnolo bought the building as well, the old owners of Adega wanted to keep the building but the Campagnolo insisted on having the building as well. I acutally prefered the old place.

Anyone notice the citys new thermoplastic cross hatching used to draw lines on streets. There are visible at Burrard and Cordova, they are completely slip resistant which will be nice for motorcyclists and bikers.

[Delirium]

here's some updates from today. all photos by me

richard's


level


granville st


yaletown station


davie st (traffic lights/crosswalks are functioning now)


office addition to the yaletown brewery building


new condo on homer


the new daycare centre in beach crescent. LOVE this thing. it looks great.






the crown on the erickson is going up

[officedweller]

Great pics, thanks - esp. of the daycare - haven't seen it before even though I drive past all the time.

BTW - anyone else think that it'll be a tough parking job to park between the bollards with the shallow curb there?

[Prometheus]

I am depressed about the southern part of the Granville Street redesign, where "flex" parking is to be instituted. The City is putting all this effort into creating a beautiful, wide sidewalk only to have cars park on top of it, thus making the walkway as narrow as it was before. And when cars are not parked on top of it, there are those numerous poles in the way. Not only do these poles pose a hazard and obstruction to pedestrians, they kill potential patio development, because the presence of a patio would force pedestrians to walk among those poles, an unlikely proposition due to the said hazard. In sum, the "flex" parking scheme (and the poles that it necessitates) negate all the advantages that a wider sidewalk was supposed to create.

I hope that the absurdity of the current approach eventually becomes obvious to enough people and the flex parking scheme is repealed (i.e., those poles are removed and parking is permitted on the street only, as is normal). Only by doing this can Granville become a truly great street. Just imagine: beautiful, wide, unobstructed sidewalks with exciting patio life generated by the new cafes, lounges and restaurants that would move into the area.

Of course, the city would also have to repeal its archaic restrictions on patio development and outdoor music.

[johnjimbc]

It certainly does seem to be "design by committee" in nature. I never even knew that "flex parking" was part of the deal, much less that it would involve sticking bollards in the middle of the new sidewalk.

Seems pretty boneheaded to me, and I agree it will kill the idea of making use of an expanded sidewalk area. Is it really too much to ask that there just be an expanded sidewalk area downtown? I am spoiled by DC which has expansive sidewalks EVERYWHERE, but boy do I miss them some days, like any weekend trip trying to maneuver down Robson street.

How extensive an area do these "flex space options" cover anyway? Is this for a block or two, or several blocks? And why did anyone think they were needed anyway - what was the rationale for including them?

[flight_from_kamakura]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

I am depressed about the southern part of Granville Street redesign. The City is putting all this effort into creating a beautiful, wide sidewalk only to have cars park on top of it, thus making the walkway as narrow as it was before. And when cars are not parked on top of it, there are those numerous poles in the way. Not only do these poles pose a hazard and obstruction to pedestrians, they kill potential patio development, because the presence of a patio would force pedestrians to walk among those poles, an unlikely proposition due to the said hazard. In sum, the "flex" parking scheme (and the poles that it necessitates) negate all the advantages that a wider sidewalk was supposed to create.

I hope that the absurdity of the current approach eventually becomes obvious to enough people and the flex parking scheme is repealed (i.e., those poles are removed and parking is permitted on the street only, as is normal). Only by doing this can Granville become a truly great street. Just imagine: beautiful, wide, unobstructed sidewalks with exciting patio life generated by the new cafes, lounges and restaurants that would move into the area.

Of course, the city would also have to repeal its archaic restrictions on patio development and outdoor music.

agree 100%. the current design was chosen at the end of a long consultation process and with a concession to businesses (and residents of adjacent neighborhoods fearing loss of street parking). if you ask me, it's damned stupid idea that people from elsewhere are going to laugh at. once the trees are out it, the sidewalk is going to feel like an absurd obstacle course of poles and trees and cars. it's the sort of plan that a planner dreams up (granville island and thailand were tossed out as antecedents), but that really doesn't work.

don't worry though, vancouver's usually pretty good about fixing things like this... after a while...

[hrhsheba]

I'm confused. I orbitted around this thread for a while hoping to find out more about "flex parking" and I'm left still not quite understanding how this is going to work. In the snap (with the Templeton) there's a row of poles about three feet from the side of the now-parked cars. A bit further in is another row of poles (staggered). So, is the end plan to have cars parked in a different configuration than where they are parked now (i.e. as shown in the photo)? How will this work - many drivers in Vancouver already seem to suffer from an inability to parallel park properly, I'm thinking that adding an extra dimension to the concept is going to result in an increase in ICBC rates