Downtown Vancouver Updates - Page 229

Delirium · #**4561** Posted **Oct 9, 2009, 2:10 AM**

wasn't that lobby already renovated? i wish they would reclad the entire building. i just hate that tower and the mess of antennas at the top.

thanks for the info OD! interesting that they chose to give up prime retail space for their lobby.

Metro-One · #**4562** Posted **Oct 9, 2009, 2:15 AM**

I must be one of the few who like the Scotia Tower, for a few reasons: it is an office tower! it is different from all the new condos (actually has some darker glass!), it has a logo on top that is lit up at night, it has a decent height, and the antennas on top add to the "i'm an office tower in a real city" look.

Hed Kandi · #**4563** Posted **Oct 9, 2009, 5:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlousa

My understanding is that the Scotia tower is going to get some work done on it's lobby, maybe Leftcoaster has some info.

The Scotia Tower is not a bad building 'architecturally speaking'. However, I do feel that it is in desperate need of a retrofit, namely new glazing and cladding.

raggedy13 · #**4564** Posted **Oct 9, 2009, 10:00 AM**

I also kinda like the Scotia Tower. It isn't exactly the most aesthetically pleasing building in the city but it is one of very few large buildings in this city representational of what will one day be seen as a short-lived architectural era in this city. I would also tend to agree with those other points Metro-One made. Additionally, I think if you consider some of its elements at a finer scale it becomes a much more interesting building - like the almost iridescent quality of the dark brown panels at the top when viewed under the right lighting conditions.

Delirium · #**4565** Posted **Oct 9, 2009, 1:37 PM**

don't get me wrong, i'm all for office towers and i wouldn't want scotia to change uses. i'm just talking about the exterior. i don't like the clear glass for one. i hate seeing blinds through glass. imo, office towers should have fully reflective glass.

a whole reclad akin to what they're doing to FCP in toronto would be awesome. but hey, i'll take a lobby reno.

delboy · #**4566** Posted **Oct 9, 2009, 1:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by raggedy13

I also kinda like the Scotia Tower. It isn't exactly the most aesthetically pleasing building in the city but it is one of very few large buildings in this city representational of what will one day be seen as a short-lived architectural era in this city. I would also tend to agree with those other points Metro-One made. Additionally, I think if you consider some of its elements at a finer scale it becomes a much more interesting building - like the almost iridescent quality of the dark brown panels at the top when viewed under the right lighting conditions.

Maybe, but the old Brinks building was torn down to make way for it!

delboy · #**4567** Posted **Oct 9, 2009, 2:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delirium

the new English bay bistro was approved this week by the DPB. here's some little tidbits i thought were interesting;

the design of the proposed restaurant provides a visually rich pedestrian experience from both the seawall promenade (readily visible restaurant activity at the project’s entry, patio, take-out concession areas and upper terrace, and a handsomely treated facade incorporating broad use of glazing); and from Beach Avenue (the pattern of coloured glazing, the fritted archival image of Joe Fortes, views to the Bay through a layering of people, restaurant activity, and daylight filtered through the coloured glass roof.) The evening effect includes views of the sunset through the subtly lit entry pavilion complimented by coloured feature strip lighting embedded into the basalt pavers of the entry terrace surface.

i like it. the glass roof looks cool and i really like that they will have a take-out window. the orange/red colour of the glass will really play well with the setting sun. the patio will remain open until 11pm.

there's lot of renderings and more in the PDf link below
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/dpboard/2009/PDF/1790%20Beach%20Avenue%20-%20DE412932.pdf

I like it. About time there were more beach side places. One area that is lacking in my mind are the waterfronts location of vancouver, too many condos and not enough commercial.

raggedy13 · #**4568** Posted **Oct 9, 2009, 4:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by delboy

Maybe, but the old Brinks building was torn down to make way for it!

I'd forgotten about that. I'd much rather still have the Brinks building.

flight_from_kamakura · #**4569** Posted **Oct 9, 2009, 5:10 PM**

^ birks. and actually, the scotia tower site was a theatre.

officedweller · #**4570** Posted **Oct 9, 2009, 6:56 PM**

The Birks was on the site of the retail podium - Birks, then Bollum's Books, then Duthie Books, then London Drugs.
I don't mind the tower - the white aggregate panels (similar to those on Sears) contrasts well with the dark glass and up close has detail in the marble chips. I think it would be blander without the contrast. Plus, it's not a box (the 45 degree offset from the street grid provides excellent views)!

TwoFace · #**4571** Posted **Oct 10, 2009, 2:45 AM**

Can’t say I like the new contemporary glass box structure any (a.k.a English Bay Bistro)
I was hoping that they would try and complement the existing timeless "bath house" architectural design to it’s left instead.

geoff's two cents · #**4572** Posted **Oct 10, 2009, 3:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by djmk

I think they are trying for the same vibe as the watermark on kits. and english bay is rocking all 12 months of the year. Our firm recently tried to book our Christmas party. Everything good was booked in this edge of town.

the only problem i foresee is parking. Parking sucks around english bay in the evenings. All dressed up, walking blocks in the rain..... blows

The #5 and #6 trolley buses run at streetcar frequencies, and can take you from the CBD directly to the corner of Davie and Denman. It's a short ride, and there's no need to walk for blocks in the rain. In fact, you'd almost certainly have to walk less taking the bus than you would if you insisted on bringing a car.

LeftCoaster · #**4573** Posted **Oct 10, 2009, 8:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlousa

My understanding is that the Scotia tower is going to get some work done on it's lobby, maybe Leftcoaster has some info.

Sorry, but I can't help ya on that one. I am not with the firm im guessing is beind it anymore so the only info i have these days is residual from a few months ago.

SpongeG · #**4574** Posted **Oct 10, 2009, 8:46 PM**

didn't they just do the lobby a few years ago?

jlousa · #**4575** Posted **Oct 11, 2009, 5:27 PM**

Yes there lobby was only redone a few years ago, I'm unsure what the new work consists of, maybe it's just tie in work connect with the new station. I'll let you know if I hear anything else.

raggedy13 · #**4576** Posted **Oct 12, 2009, 7:31 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by flight_from_kamakura

Quote:

Originally Posted by raggedy13

I'd forgotten about that. I'd much rather still have the Brinks building.

^ birks.

My bad.

raggedy13 · #**4577** Posted **Oct 12, 2009, 7:25 PM**

Pic I took of the Keefer Lofts from Sept 26:

And a view of Atelier and the Capitol from down Robson Street the same day:

And a large crane working at Robson Square/The Law Courts the same day:

SFUVancouver · #**4578** Posted **Oct 12, 2009, 7:52 PM**

Thanks for the photos. The Keefer Lofts are handsome.

mcminsen · #**4579** Posted **Oct 13, 2009, 10:36 AM**

Just a little note about a retail space in L'Hermitage that's finally getting a tenant. The space on Robson closest to the Westin will be a new... Tim Horton's! Should help add to the busyness already building in this area.

phesto · #**4580** Posted **Oct 13, 2009, 3:58 PM**

Looks like there is a big fire downtown.

EDIT: It appears to be the Bayshore area - maybe the marina?