Downtown Vancouver Updates

[wrenegade]

Artemisia looks fantastic. I can't wait for it to start going. It and Jameson House are easily my two favourite new buildings in the city.

[junius]

Originally Posted by officedweller

The EasyPark lot at Georgia & Ruchards may be owned by the City. EasyPark is owned by the City. That won't preclude development though, as the L'Hermitage site was previously an EasyPark lot (know know if it was leased or owned by the City).

I think that empty lot where Fido used to be and Budget now parks its cars is probably owned by the same owner as the rest of the buildings up to L'Hermitage. Can't recall who.

Across the alley on the Budget building site not sure who owns it but at the time the former Ford Theatre was built it was contemplated for office tower.
Note that I doubt that the alley on that block can closed off (to consolidate the two Budget sites) since the theatre requires access by large trucks which probably can't negotiate an L-shaped alley (unless you have a massive back alley space like behind The Bay).

This area is destined to be developed in the long term. However I believe it is in the commercial only zone so it will have to be a high rise commercial or a civic arts centre - etc.

[entheosfog]

Originally Posted by raggedy13

I could be wrong here, but I think the above photo is of "East" in Chinatown as opposed to the Paris Block, no?

Looks great at any rate. Will be interesting to see what retail moves in there.

Originally Posted by bulliver

Pic looks like 51 East Pender...

Internet says Paris block is 5 story on Hastings between Abbott and Carrall.

Ooops! Thanks for the clarification!

[flight_from_kamakura]

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

There is an agreement in place between the Province, the City, and Concord about Creekside Park. The deal is that the Province will pay for the remediation of the contaminated soil of False Creek North. When the contaminated soil is excavated it is used by the City as landscaping fill for its waterfront parks, which in turn are largely paid for by development cost levies and community amenity contributions on the area's new buildings. This has been done for David Lam Park, George Wainborne Park, Coopers Park, and the parks that stradle Carrall Street.

For Creekside Park the deal is that when parcel 6C (the land between the water, Pacific Blvd, Carrall and Abbott Street) is developed by Concord Pacific the Province will pay for the soil remediation and the City will build the park. However the park will not be built until 6C is developed. The City floated the idea of changing the shape of Creekside Park to line the waterfront from the western edge of 6C to Quebec and instead allow Concord to redistribute its 6C development rights along Pacific Blvd to Quebec. The advantage of this is that the amount of fill that would have to be excavated and relocated would be significantly reduced and the park could be built out sooner, albiet in a different configuration than originally imagined.

An additional wrinkle cropped up when the City allowed Concord to build out its entire allotment of residential elsewhere in False Creek North, including Spectrum/Costco/Cosmo off of Beatty Street. All that Concord has left is commercial density and the likelihood of it being built out on parcel 6C is miniscule, thus Creekside Park might be a decade or more away from construction, hence the City's desire to reconfigure the park to hasten its construction.

Now, the NEFC high level review, as proposed, would give Concord new residential development rights to use on its remaining parcels of land pending their successful post-NEFC high level review rezoning. However the calculations for park space per 1000 residents, daycare spaces per 1000 residents, school spaces per 1000 residents, community centres per 1000 residents, etc., have not been updated to accomodate the 7000+ additional residents that may land in NEFC in the proposed density plan of the high level review. This is what prompted the criticism of the plan by the False Creek Residents Association. And I think it's a valid criticism. The Roundhouse Community Centre and Olympic Village Community Centre were both never designed with an additional 7000 residents in mind, nor has there been any new park land proposed. Thus the amenity of the existing facilities has to be maximized and the uses of an elongated, narrow Creekside Park, similar to Harbour Green Park in Coal Harbour, are perceived to be fewer than a full-size David Lam-like park. However the elongated park would also be flatter than the full size park since there would be less fill to redistribute.

Like anything in life, the saga of Creekside Park is more complicated than it first appears.

good detailed info, thanks.

[officedweller]

WRT the new median in the middle of Pacific Blvd -
I think I saw forms for curbs in the median and I think I recall the City reports indicating that there would be a sidewalk down the middle of the median bwteen rows of trees.

[entheosfog]

Originally Posted by officedweller

WRT the new median in the middle of Pacific Blvd -
I think I saw forms for curbs in the median and I think I recall the City reports indicating that there would be a sidewalk down the middle of the median bwteen rows of trees.

maybe it's just because they're still under construction but turning left on to Pacific from Davie is a little 'awkward' due to those medians...

[jlousa]

A little more info that has now been made public regarding 1401 Comox, there is an open house coming up later his month.

Henriquez Partners Architects, on behalf of Westbank/Peterson, has applied to the City of Vancouver for concurrent rezoning and development permit applications for 1401 Comox Street. The proposed rezoning would rezone this site from RM-5 (Multiple Residential) District to CD-1 (Comprehensive Development) District. The proposal is to construct a 22-storey residential tower with seven townhouses at grade and 180 apartments above plus six free-standing townhouses. All residential units would be rental.

The purpose of the rezoning to CD-1 is:

* To increase the density from the RM-5 maximum floor space ratio (FSR) of 1.5 to 7.5 FSR (i.e. the total building floor area permitted would be equal to 7.5 times the site area instead of 1.5 times); and
* To increase the height from the RM-5 maximum discretionary height of 58 m (190 ft.) to 66 m (216.5 ft.) as measured to the top of the parapet of the rooftop amenity area.

Aerial view
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/1401comox/documents/aerial.pdf

Site Analysis
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/1401comox/documents/siteanalysis.pdf

Ground Floor
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/1401comox/documents/siteanalysis.pdf

Typical Floor
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/1401comox/documents/typicalplan.pdf

Amenity Space
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/1401comox/documents/amenity.pdf

Building Sections
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/1401comox/documents/section.pdf

Elevations
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/1401comox/documents/elevations.pdf

Landscape Plan
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/1401comox/documents/landscape.pdf

[officedweller]

Thanks.
This is the one on the site of that church, right?
Looks like a very typical building (maybe so as not to stir the pot or maybe because its rental?)

********

BTW - Pacific Boulevard City Council Report:

http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20090602/documents/a14.pdf

[SpongeG]

McDonald's is building three new Olympic venue restaurants

McDonald's(R) Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games


OAK BROOK, Ill., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- As a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Movement, McDonald's is preparing to once again feed the athletes and share the excitement of the Games with millions of customers around the world during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091104/CG04937LOGO)

Feeding the World's Best Athletes

As the Official Restaurant of the Olympic Games and the only branded foodservice retailer, McDonald's is building three new Olympic venue restaurants: one in the Olympic Village in Vancouver, one in the Olympic Village in Whistler, and one in the Main Media Center in Vancouver.
McDonald's Olympic Champion Crew, made up of more than 300 top performing restaurant employees from across Canada, will serve menu favorites to the world's best athletes, coaches, officials and media at McDonald's on-site Olympic venue restaurants.
Spectators will be able to share in the Olympic Spirit and enjoy McDonald's quality and variety at any of the more than 40 McDonald's restaurants located in the Vancouver and Whistler areas.

McDonald's Champion Kids(TM)

The McDonald's Champion Kids program debuted at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games as part of McDonald's ongoing commitment to children. The program provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for kids from across the globe to experience the Games first hand.
For the Vancouver Games, one child from each province and one child from the territories in Canada will join kids from around the world to attend Olympic events, meet athletes, visit the Olympic Village, tour the cultural sites of Vancouver and Whistler, and receive their own gold medals from Olympic champions.
The children will also have the chance to serve as special youth correspondents to share their experiences with their hometown news outlets.

Giving Back

As part of McDonald's Olympic tradition of giving back to the host country, Ronald McDonald House Charities® will make a lasting contribution to Vancouver that will live beyond the Games.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada, in cooperation with The Province of British Colombia, the Rick Hansen Foundation and 2010 Legacies Now, is funding three world-class accessible playgrounds.
These playgrounds - located in the three venue cities of Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler - will meet the needs of children with disabilities and enable these children to play side by side with their siblings, families and friends.
The Richmond playground and the majority of the Whistler playground are planned to be completed in time for the 2010 Games; the Vancouver playground will be finished in the summer of 2010. More information to come on playground celebrations that will take place during the Games.

Environment

In keeping with a green Olympic Games, McDonald's three new Olympic venue restaurants will be fitted with energy-efficient lighting and equipment.
The equipment from these restaurants will be reused and recycled at McDonald's restaurants in Canada after the Games have ended

McDonald's Canada

As host country, McDonald's Canada is activating a wide variety of programs and promotions leading up to and during the Games to celebrate Canada's Olympic Spirit nationwide. Activities include:
Flying Olympic flags at select McDonald's restaurants across Canada to celebrate their role as host country
Exciting restaurant promotions such as Olympic-themed McDonald's Vancouver 2010 Olympic Sport Water Bottles featuring graphics of athletes participating in popular winter sports
Alliances with top Canadian athletes such as speed skater Cindy Klassen, figure skater Patrick Chan and Cassie Campbell, former caption of the Canadian Women's Ice Hockey Team
Celebrating the importance of family and community on the journey to the pinnacle of sport through McDonald's 2010 Hopefuls, a grant program that supports the Olympic aspirations of 26 Canadian athletes and recognizes the efforts of their parents by allocating a portion of the funding to the family
Canada holds a special place in McDonald's history as the first country outside of the U.S. to open a McDonald's restaurant in 1967.

McDonald's Olympic Games History

McDonald's became an Official Sponsor of the Olympic Games in 1976 and has a long-standing commitment to the Olympic Movement, which first began more than 40 years ago. At the 1968 Olympic Winter Games, McDonald's airlifted hamburgers to U.S. athletes competing in Grenoble, France, after they reported being homesick for McDonald's food. Since then, the company has served its menu of choice and variety to millions of athletes, coaches, their families and fans. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games mark McDonald's seventh Olympic Games as a Worldwide Partner and eighth as the Official Restaurant of the Olympic Games. McDonald's current sponsorship will continue through the 2012 Games in London.

About McDonald's

McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer, with more than 32,000 local restaurants in more than 100 countries. About 80 percent of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by franchisees. Please visit our website at www.aboutmcdonalds.com to learn more about the Company. Click on "Members of the Press/Electronic Press Kits" to access our 2010 Olympic Winter Games online resource center.

© 2009 McDonald's

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/...-2010-olympic-winter-games-69066507.html

[Yume-sama]

Mmm, because as we know, you can't be an Olympic champion without chowing down on that Big Mac before a big speedskating race.

[Rusty Gull]

I would love to see a return of the floating McDonalds for the 2010 Games.

[officedweller]

The Plaza of Nations McDonalds was the world's busiest at the time during Expo 86.

[Trocadero]

Old McDonalds on Main at Terminal looked like it was being torn down (like the rest of that entire block), but the sign says it's just reno's. You think they'd tear it down if they are building a new one so close.

[GeeCee]

Given the context of the article, they sound like temporary locations.

In keeping with a green Olympic Games, McDonald's three new Olympic venue restaurants will be fitted with energy-efficient lighting and equipment.
The equipment from these restaurants will be reused and recycled at McDonald's restaurants in Canada after the Games have ended.

Oddly, they already have a McDonalds in the food court across the street from Canada Place. Why put another one in the convention centre (Main Media Centre)?

[Hed Kandi]

..

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by Hed Kandi

Most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

I would actually love to know how good business will be at the Olympic Village location.

Maybe Olympic athletes DO eat McDonalds!

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by GeeCee

Given the context of the article, they sound like temporary locations.



Oddly, they already have a McDonalds in the food court across the street from Canada Place. Why put another one in the convention centre (Main Media Centre)?

the media centre will be off limits and hard for those inside to get out quickly so they can grab a quick bite without the secure area - i guess its helpful to them

[officedweller]

There was a whole McDonalds and athlete advertising campaign during the Bejing Olympics.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by jlousa

A little more info that has now been made public regarding 1401 Comox, there is an open house coming up later his month.

Henriquez Partners Architects, on behalf of Westbank/Peterson, has applied to the City of Vancouver for concurrent rezoning and development permit applications for 1401 Comox Street. The proposed rezoning would rezone this site from RM-5 (Multiple Residential) District to CD-1 (Comprehensive Development) District. The proposal is to construct a 22-storey residential tower with seven townhouses at grade and 180 apartments above plus six free-standing townhouses. All residential units would be rental.

The purpose of the rezoning to CD-1 is:

* To increase the density from the RM-5 maximum floor space ratio (FSR) of 1.5 to 7.5 FSR (i.e. the total building floor area permitted would be equal to 7.5 times the site area instead of 1.5 times); and
* To increase the height from the RM-5 maximum discretionary height of 58 m (190 ft.) to 66 m (216.5 ft.) as measured to the top of the parapet of the rooftop amenity area.

only 1 tree! GASP! looks great IMO. a little like Domus.

[Delirium]

you can see that they've begun work on the Yaletown Live Site. also looks like they are finally completing that little parkette in front of the Erickson.
oh and that Daycare centre on homer is nearly done and damn.. that is THE nicest daycare centre I have ever seen. just fantastic

photo by yowmartin on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/10332529@N04/4084275502/in/set-72157622631844155/