Downtown Vancouver Updates

[SpongeG]

does anybody remember sears when it was on hastings?

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

does anybody remember sears when it was on hastings?

if you mean at Harbour Center............then yes sir

what a disaster that was........

[nova9]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

That was really quick. I'm happy they did it, definitely one of my favorite art pieces in the city. Cool that 2/3 of visitors will see it coming in!

Also interesting VANOC didn't sue his pants off for adding the Olympic logo.

The article states that this was done in conjuction with VANOC and they had allowed him explicitly to place the olympic logos on the mural.

I love that thing.

[trofirhen]

I'd love to find a nice new home for Sears, even if it means a few little concessions. ANYTHING to get them out of Pacific Centre, so we can get on with revamping it and making it a real downtown centrepiece!

[Mininari]

I agree. Its time to replace that out-dated, inefficient "urinal" building with a modern, high-efficiency model
Vancouver green-glass, Vancouver Spandrels, Vancouver it to death. Just build something new!

[djh]

There is no space downtown that is anywhere large enough to accomodate a super sized store like Sears, that is sitting empty. So it would either mean redeveloping an empty lot (which would mean building a huge temporary shop...) or kicking out a large number of tenants somewhere else and combining their spaces (a huge logistical nightmare). Realistically, I think they would have to leave downtown while the work is done, and so I doubt they would be willing to temporarily relocate for 2 years and then come back.

[phesto]

Originally Posted by Locked In

Some small updates from yesterday.

The lot next to the spot at Nelson and Seymour (Olympic Irish house?):



(my photos)

Not sure if this was mentioned, but apparently this will be the presentation centre for Rize Alliance's Cecil development on Granville. Not olympics related - though I presume the goal is to have it open by then.

Given the length of time PC's are typically open, it's a safe bet 999 Seymour will be on hold for at least a year or two.

[wrenegade]

Isn't Sears Canada a separately owned entity, such that problems for Sears in the US shouldn't have any effect on what happens up here? Whatever does happen though, I am excited for changes to that building, even if it means waiting 5-10 years.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

the whaling walll has been restored
http://www.globaltvbc.com/video/index.html?releasePID=cnrpIIrWwRkJ3wVsxOjSYwdIsGwbBQ4i

Pre-emptive strike to garner public support to save the wall before impending demolition for the Ralston / Granville Loops redevelopment?

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by djh

There is no space downtown that is anywhere large enough to accomodate a super sized store like Sears, that is sitting empty. So it would either mean redeveloping an empty lot (which would mean building a huge temporary shop...) or kicking out a large number of tenants somewhere else and combining their spaces (a huge logistical nightmare). Realistically, I think they would have to leave downtown while the work is done, and so I doubt they would be willing to temporarily relocate for 2 years and then come back.

Couple of thoughts -

- Could they phase the project by installing new banks of escalators at one end of the building (only 4 banks of escalators would be required given the reduced floorspace currently used - i.e. take the unused ones currently connecting 4 to 5, 5 to 6 and 6 to 7 and a doubled up one).

- Sears left downtown once before - when they closed the store at Harbour Centre in the 1980s. They did not return to downtown until Sears bought Eaton's, and then only returned as "Sears" when Eaton's was rolled into Sears.

[trofirhen]

Without intending to sound too naïve or too radical, there IS one possible solution for getting Sears out of the Pacific Centre in a fairly short time.

Boycott it. Just don't buy anything there.

I'm not saying boycott all Sears stores, but boycott the Pacific Centre Store.
Sears has not shown good community faith in leaving their building dirty, austere, and as ugly as ever. Plus, it's time that prime piece of property evolved into something else, in keeping with the "new" Vancouver.

I don't know if they are the only major department store chain in Vancouver now, but if possible, do any necessary shopping either at a large suburban department store - and it could be Sears - or at another store of your choice.

If nobody goes and buys anything at Sears PC, they will hemorrhage money, and be obliged to move.

Sure they'd offer sales and deals, but if they do that ONLY at Pacific Centre, there'll be outrage at the suburban outlets.

The real trick would be getting enough people on board to follow suit. But I bet your bottom dollar that doing this would work.

[officedweller]

Why would there be outrage at the suburban stores when they are all owned by the same company? They aren't franchises.

Anyways, I don't think that having just The Bay and Holt Renfrew downtown would be very good for the core. It would force a lot of shoppers to the suburbs - which is already occurring with big box stores.

And advocating the boycotting of a store because you don't like the look of the building? That's a bit extreme.
The Bay failed for many many years to maintain its heritage facade (and awning). What about the Scotiabank Theatre? Or the Main Post Office? Or GM Place?

[AlexYVR]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Without intending to sound too naïve or too radical, there IS one possible solution for getting Sears out of the Pacific Centre in a fairly short time.

Boycott it. Just don't buy anything there.

I'm not saying boycott all Sears stores, but boycott the Pacific Centre Store.
Sears has not shown good community faith in leaving their building dirty, austere, and as ugly as ever. Plus, it's time that prime piece of property evolved into something else, in keeping with the "new" Vancouver.

I don't know if they are the only major department store chain in Vancouver now, but if possible, do any necessary shopping either at a large suburban department store - and it could be Sears - or at another store of your choice.

If nobody goes and buys anything at Sears PC, they will hemorrhage money, and be obliged to move.

Sure they'd offer sales and deals, but if they do that ONLY at Pacific Centre, there'll be outrage at the suburban outlets.

The real trick would be getting enough people on board to follow suit. But I bet your bottom dollar that doing this would work.

You're advocating starving people of their jobs and their livelihoods because a building is dirty. If Sears shuts down, that's a lot of good jobs and income in the core that are lost, and they won't be people who will be able to just bide their time until they can show up for work as accountants and managers in the new office tower that will get built there. Hopefully we can find a way to keep Sears and to build that new tower as well.

[Yume-sama]

The only thing more pointless than a boycott is an internet petition.

NORMAL people won't boycott a store because they don't like the look of the roof.

[NewfBC]

Doesn't Sears have a super super sweet deal on rent at this location? I remember something about it.. $1/yr or something terribly cheap, starting at a certain year.

Ron.

[Stingray2004]

Chalk me up as one with a preference for Nordstroms to anchor the Pacific Centre Mall in any revamped Sears building.

[Yume-sama]

Dream all you want. We won't be getting a Nordstroms, Bloomingdales, or even a Macy's.

[Metro-One]

I want a "LOFT" department store, would be so awesome! (one of my favorite department stores in Japan).

I do think it is too bad that our railway entity (Translink, I guess) could not have a department store, seeing how the Sears site is built just above the City Centre Station.

Most Japanese rail lines have department stores above some of their major downtown hubs.

Also, while trofirhen heart is in the right place, I don't think a boycott would work, or be the solution.

but for all those who think such a boycott is silly, is the boycott some are trying for the electronic billboard just as silly?

[Yume-sama]

If you want a Japanese store, you need Takashimaya Of course, New York City has one... but it is very pathetic and probably shouldn't even be called Takashimaya.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takashimaya



But, we could never fit in a MASSIVE 12 floor department store in downtown.

[Metro-One]

Well obviously we don't need a 12 floor department store downtown, but more towards the LOFT i posted pics of a month ago, in Kobe (a city of 1.5 million), and their commercial heart, transit hub and department store district.