Downtown Vancouver Updates - Page 235

entheosfog · #**4681** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 6:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

We need another Earls like we need another Starbucks.

I mean, obviously people eat there, but I don't know anyone who does. I can't stand the food, there's so many better options in Vancouver.

That's how I feel about Starbucks! Well, except I know MANY people that go there...

wrenegade · #**4682** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 7:01 AM**

I have always dreamed of something like Montreal's Newtown going in that location. Newtown is former (possibly future as well) F1 driver Jacque Villeneuve's restaurant in Montreal (it's a play on his name and a fuck you to the Quebec language police). It's on Crescent, a street similar to Granville, and it is a nightclub/bar/restaurant concept, on different levels. And it has a wicked rooftop patio. Amazing place to be during F1 weekend.

A couple pictures:

Photo by tobydog_photos on photobucket.http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm278/tobydog_photos/

Photo by Jimby (SSP Calgary member) James Cameron. Can't find a link to his Flickr at the moment, pic was taken from a SSP thread.

Yume-sama · #**4683** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 7:02 AM**

So, I heard yesterday that a major developer has purchased a large parcel of land between Thurlow and Bute, bordering Alberni and Robson across the street from the Shangri-la. All of the current tenants of the block (24h McDonalds, liquor store, Shanghai Chinese Bistro, etc.) will be moving rather soon, and the block will be demolished, for a high end shopping centre. I kind of recall hearing about this here before, does anybody have any more details?

wrenegade · #**4684** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 7:08 AM**

Doesn't Bentall own that land, and have a 23 story, 400,000 sq. ft. office building approved for that site? Similar to Acquilini's tower, they had plans to build it but abandoned it because of the market (for now at least). You are correct though, all of those tenants are leaving soon, Bental exercised their kickout clause a while ago. The company I used to work for was working with Sportmart, Chinese Shanghai Bistro and Studio55 looking for new locations.

Or is it somewhere else on that block. Kinda hard to border both Alberni and Robson with that lane there.

Yume-sama · #**4685** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 7:12 AM**

Well, Robson is on one side, Alberni on the other.

But yes, they are all leaving soon. I heard a high end shopping mall would be put in its place.

Also, unrelated, but Renee Zellweger is in town, and was eating with us common folk at Coast.

It was more exciting than that time I saw Frankie Gotti in NYC.

wrenegade · #**4686** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 7:32 AM**

Well ya of course it is, I referring to the difficulty of building a large shopping mall that would border both Robson and Alberni in the way. Which would also mean the elimination of Joe Forte's, which recently completed a renovation. So back to my original question, is this land (previously approved to be a 23 story office building and owned by Bentall) the one that was rumoured to be bought?

Yume-sama · #**4687** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 7:38 AM**

Yes, however the person seems to think the group behind Shangri-la has purchased it recently.

A high-end mall would make sense for the area, and it is one of the "sure" things in the economy now, as luxury sales have gone up in Canada.

One of my friends who owns a well known jewelery store in Vancouver reports he is up 30% this year, and though "little" items like the $10k items aren't selling, the $50k and up crowd is going better than ever

It really wouldn't make sense to build an office tower today.

hollywoodnorth · #**4688** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 7:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

It really wouldn't make sense to build an office tower today.

well you don't build an officetower for TODAY. Its a 5 year project.

and the Bentall Project will also have 2 or 3 floors of retail if I remember correct so I can imagine a march of high end stores and restaurants down Alberni.

also of interest is the owners of 1166 Alberni are bringing its retail to the street line and also putting retail in where the shitty park used to be at the Corner of Bute and Alberni. The BC LD has taken that corner space. I hear it will be open in the new year.

here she is >>
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=o...BuFIjWEnlr1S6gM7EA&cbp=12,203.78,,0,5.94

Yume-sama · #**4689** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 7:59 AM**

I wouldn't say the 5 year outlook of attracting many more businesses to Vancouver that require office space is that great, either.

It will be interesting to see what the Olympics bring, and they may be waiting for that. Though, I find it strange they are forcing the tenants out so soon.

raggedy13 · #**4690** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 10:23 AM**

Some Emery Barnes Park pics I took Saturday:

Northwest corner:

SpongeG · #**4691** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 10:30 AM**

great updates

what kind of upscale retail are we missing?

s211 · #**4692** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 3:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by awvan

Doesn't Bentall own that land, and have a 23 story, 400,000 sq. ft. office building approved for that site? Similar to Acquilini's tower, they had plans to build it but abandoned it because of the market (for now at least). You are correct though, all of those tenants are leaving soon, Bental exercised their kickout clause a while ago. The company I used to work for was working with Sportmart, Chinese Shanghai Bistro and Studio55 looking for new locations.

Or is it somewhere else on that block. Kinda hard to border both Alberni and Robson with that lane there.

Bentall does not own that site. It manages the site on behalf of the owner.

phesto · #**4693** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 4:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

So, I heard yesterday that a major developer has purchased a large parcel of land between Thurlow and Bute, bordering Alberni and Robson across the street from the Shangri-la. All of the current tenants of the block (24h McDonalds, liquor store, Shanghai Chinese Bistro, etc.) will be moving rather soon, and the block will be demolished, for a high end shopping centre. I kind of recall hearing about this here before, does anybody have any more details?

To sum up: there are two things currently going on on this block –
1)745 Thurlow – this is the sportmart/Mcdonalds/bcl/studio 55 building owned by bcIMC. As awvan mentioned, they have begun to exercise their termination rights on the tenants – I had heard one of the basement restaurants has already closed, but can’t confirm that. In any event, the owners have NOT given the green light to move forward with the office tower. It’s still on hold (though not cancelled). I think this will move forward – just a question of timing, there are quite a few large downtown tenants that will be looking to renew leases between 2011 and 2013 that could become an anchor tenant for the project.

2) 1166 Alberni – this is the office building owned by Peterson Group who also developed Shangri-la (they also own Carmana Plaza mid-block). All they are doing here is redeveloping and expanding the retail so that it is street-oriented. Had heard BCL was taking the corner, but not sure? The location doesn’t strike me as appealing for high-end retailers, as it’s kind of off the main drag.

Assembling the sites on Robson would be difficult mostly because the cost would be astronomical and all you’d develop in its place is more retail. And you couldn’t join the site with the Alberni side because of the lane.

jlousa · #**4694** Posted **Oct 27, 2009, 2:46 AM**

The 745 Thurlow project is going forward, not sure if any changes have been made, but they just finished presenting their public art component to the city so there do have plans on proceeding on something.

Metro-One · #**4695** Posted **Oct 27, 2009, 2:59 AM**

Nice, so are there any renders or is 745 Thurlow the short Bentall 5 looking building? Would be so nice to see a new office tower u/c in the next couple years.

LeftCoaster · #**4696** Posted **Oct 27, 2009, 3:04 AM**

Yeah there are a few small size renders kicking around on ssp somewhere. Nothing too detailed though, they are somewhere between massings and renderings.

officedweller · #**4697** Posted **Oct 27, 2009, 9:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Nice, so are there any renders or is 745 Thurlow the short Bentall 5 looking building? Would be so nice to see a new office tower u/c in the next couple years.

Like Bentall V - but rectangular floorplate.

http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20080722/documents/p5.pdf

LotusLand · #**4698** Posted **Oct 27, 2009, 4:52 PM**

Yeah that office project is gonna be great and will add to the vibe on Alberni especially during the day. Right now that corner is in process of a makeover with Burberry across the street. I can see a high end retail component part of that office tower. Perhaps a Prada or Fendi or something else High End I don't know. Also across the street where the Ritz Carlton sales centre was up is now for lease.

Hed Kandi · #**4699** Posted **Oct 27, 2009, 4:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlousa

The 745 Thurlow project is going forward, not sure if any changes have been made, but they just finished presenting their public art component to the city so there do have plans on proceeding on something.

Thanks for the info!

Hed Kandi · #**4700** Posted **Oct 27, 2009, 5:03 PM**

Here's a preliminary sketch of the proposal.