Downtown Vancouver Updates

[whatnext]

Does anyone know what is planned for the former University Club at 1021 W. Hastings? I can't believe something hasn't come forward for the site after all this time. It would be a shame to lose such an elegant building though.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by AlexYVR

But 4 more stories each would make the PP and B5 twins just about perfect Certainly amongst the handsomest downtown. Let me get caught up in the moment for a little bit. . .mmm.

Yes indeed. As far as eating into the plaza with its trees and waterfalls, that would enrage me - and a lot of other people too, no doubt.

As for four extra stories, if they were well dsigned, it would mitigate that slight "stubbiness" that Park has. . It's a handosme building, and the pink granite is beautiful, but a little bit more height would give it a sleeker look, and as you say, go well with Bentall 5. Two buildings of a much different style, but that contrast and complement each other.

At least, that's what your remark put into my head. Hope I got it right, because that's what I visualize.

[officedweller]

I could see a "glass lantern" atop Park Place.
It would probably be next to impossible to source matching granite.

[AlexYVR]

Originally Posted by officedweller

I could see a "glass lantern" atop Park Place.
It would probably be next to impossible to source matching granite.

Yeah, Trof, that's what I meant.

Glass lantern would be pretty cool - a nice signature lighting feature on an office building where it belongs (hear me Metro? ).

I'm fully aware the whole 'add 4 stories' is a pipe dream and a total waste of resources but chalk it up to wistful wishing. I've often walked down to Burrard Stn from Melville and looked up at those two towers and thought they were the nicest in the city.

[hrhsheba]

I spent 15 years in Park Place - it's a fine building but has serious power shortage problems. Not sure, it could accommodate more power usage in the tower portion. Lower level retail might be feasible but they'd have to rework the entire climate control system because the waterfall fountain in the plaza is actually the cooling system for the CCS. One idea that I know has been bandied about for a number of years is to punt the bank and expand the podium back slightly towards Hornby (thereby joining the bank space with the space that was, at one time, an American Express Office) and then expanding into the plaza to the point where the first benches start. Adding that nice horseshoe shape of retail to the strip of sub-grade shops (mostly empty) within the building might not be a bad idea. Further, the lobby is actually two stories tall - they could probably finesse a third level of retail into that space if they worked at it.

[SpikePhanta]

Park Place is indeed a nice building with it's incoporation of green space!
I love walking out of Burrard station and seeing it

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Does anyone know what is planned for the former University Club at 1021 W. Hastings? I can't believe something hasn't come forward for the site after all this time. It would be a shame to lose such an elegant building though.

Yeah, I do. Can't share much though. All I can say is taller than Fairmont and mixed use... kinda looks like one wall too, but with a crown.

Still pretty prelim at this point, and there have been a few different proposals over the years which didn't pan out so no way of knowing if this one will either.

It's got a good firm behind it though so we'll have to wait and see.

[giallo]

^Thanks for the tidbit. Sounds very promising.

[wrenegade]

Would that be right smack next to the Marine Building?

With regards to Park Place, I am very curious as to where they'd add 60,000 sq. ft. of density, it would be fantastic if it was the top, though it would have to be done right not to wreck that building. I also hope it wouldn't take too much away from the waterfalls/park. I love that building, definitely my favourite modern building in the city (although Jameson House will likely replace it when it's complete).

It's kinda a shame they couldn't add that density to another site for a new building and go higher.

[jlousa]

Hopefully we find out what they plan on doing with that density soon. My understanding is that the location with Hy's is legally tied to 666 Burrard, so perhaps it would be used there and something built on the Hornby side which might make more sense.

I also just learned that apparently Park Place is the single largest office building in the city as per sqftage.

Scratch the above comment, 666 Burrard is tied with 605 Hornby and not with 637 Hornby (Hy's).

[officedweller]

Yeah, when Cathedral Place was built, it wanted the Hy's site. but the owner wouldn't sell.

[hrhsheba]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Hopefully we find out what they plan on doing with that density soon. My understanding is that the location with Hy's is legally tied to 666 Burrard, so perhaps it would be used there and something built on the Hornby side which might make more sense.

I also just learned that apparently Park Place is the single largest office building in the city as per sqftage.

Scratch the above comment, 666 Burrard is tied with 605 Hornby and not with 637 Hornby (Hy's).

605 is the address that was once the Amex office that I referred to above.

[Locked In]

Community vision proposed for divided public in the West End

By KELLY SINOSKI, Vancouver Sun April 4, 2010 8:07 PM

Vancouver city council will consider Tuesday whether to develop a “community vision” for the West End, as opposition mounts over its plans to build highrises in the neighbourhood.
Photograph by: Marion Ambler, Special to the Sun

VANCOUVER - Vancouver city council will consider Tuesday whether to develop a “community vision” for the West End, as opposition mounts over its plans to build highrises in the neighbourhood.

COPE Coun. Ellen Woodsworth will put forward the motion Tuesday asking city staff to report back on the process for a proposed West End “community visioning process.”

The process would look at the needs and priorities of the community — something that hasn’t been done in the West End for more than 20 years even though it’s one of the city’s densest neighbourhoods.

So-called visions are already in place in areas such as Dunbar, Fraserview and Mount Pleasant.

Woodsworth will also ask for a public meeting to be held to get public input on the neighbourhood’s needs, noting the recent debate has divided the community.

“The public has been pitted against each other,” she said. “We need to call a meeting to get a sense of what people want.”

Her proposal follows council’s spot rezoning last December for a 20-storey project at Bidwell and Davie streets, ahead of several other requests for comprehensive highrise projects. These include a 22-storey residential tower for the 100-year-old St. John’s United Church site, at 1401 Comox St.

The projects, proposed under the city’s Short Term Incentives for Rental (STIR) program, are recommended for approval by city staff to secure more rental housing in the city. The city hasn’t built any rental housing in the West End for at least a decade.

But Woodsworth said the city has recently determined that there are rental units in the West End, and that those being built now aren’t necessarily affordable because they’re being offered at current market rates. As well, she said, the STIR program is not providing the community amenities that are needed in the West End.

West End residents have been vocally opposed to the developments, saying they will radically change the skyline and alter their protected views, and should not be rushed through without public consultation and a neighbourhood plan.

Residents have collected about 1,800 signatures on a petition entitled “No Rezoning without a Comprehensive Plan” that calls for Mayor Gregor Robertson to uphold the existing community-zoning guidelines for a maximum height of six storeys in the West End.

They claim the city is allowing developers to change the face of their neighbourhood by demolishing low-rise heritage buildings and churches to put up profitable highrise residential towers.

“Almost everyone can accept new construction and taller buildings, but it should be part of a comprehensive and transparent process,” said resident Randy Helton.

“This is what really outrages us: It’s such an extreme departure from the current rezoning guidelines. It really gets people upset.”

Helton said building more highrises in the West End would have major consequences for taxpayers owing to the impact on such infrastructure as electricity grids, roads and libraries.

“The taxpayers will pay the price of the increasing wear and tear on the infrastructure,” he said.

“There are so many things wrong with this.”

Woodsworth said a public meeting on her motion will be scheduled for Thursday.

[email protected]
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

Source: Vancouver Sun

[TwoFace]

The longer they put off a community plan for the West End the harder it’s going to be. I’m not sure where the protectionism is coming from, as the current rents are already at a premium (market rate) and any "new" buildings would be the same. Market rate is just that, what people are prepared to pay.

I walk the area a bit, and I’m hard pressed to find many "heritage buildings" per say, mostly run down 50’s & 60’s boxes. If they don’t start recycling these old blocks with a higher and better use (high-rises) than the area will start turning into a run down district reminiscent of the DTES.
Oh ya, most will even get water/mountain views.

High-rises will create more rental units, which should keep the rental rate in check through supply and demand.

[delboy]

Originally Posted by TwoFace

The longer they put off a community plan for the West End the harder it’s going to be. I’m not sure where the protectionism is coming from, as the current rents are already at a premium (market rate) and any "new" buildings would be the same. Market rate is just that, what people are prepared to pay.

I walk the area a bit, and I’m hard pressed to find many "heritage buildings" per say, mostly run down 50’s & 60’s boxes. If they don’t start recycling these old blocks with a higher and better use (high-rises) than the area will start turning into a run down district reminiscent of the DTES.
Oh ya, most will even get water/mountain views.

High-rises will create more rental units, which should keep the rental rate in check through supply and demand.

Agreed - the west end has largely remained in a state of status quo - the area has barely changed in the past 20 years. It would be interesting to see data on population growth in the area compared to the rest of the city in the past 20 years. I'd expect it's barely increased.

I do like the west end and it's one of the most accessible neighbourhoods for all in the city - the older housing stock provides reasonable rental accommodation. But as noted, there are some terribly run down buildings that need to be torn down - the area has some of the worst examples of 70's architecture in the country. There are heritage buildings mixed in but its quite apparent what needs to stay and what must go.

There has to be a vision for the west end - but without it becoming another coal harbour. I think there can definitely be balance and the area could be even more dense than it already is. But infrastructure will need to be part of the overall plan - better transit, new library, community centre etc.

[Coldrsx]

I love the irony that people are against new developments/towers yet probably live in a multi-unit dwelling.

However with that said, a comprehensive plan is long overdue.

[entheosfog]

I tend to find the worthy heritage buildings in the West End, mostly apartments from the 1920s-30s and old Victorian houses are in generally good shape but it's the apartments from the 50s to 60s that seem to be in bad shape. I'm sure many of them weren't made to last forever, unlike some of the much older buildings.

[entheosfog]

A couple of fairly recent heritage renos:
Chinatown:


Gastown:

[Millennium2002]

Is it just me or is Chinatown now just beginning to revitalize itself? =O

[leftside]

^^^ There's certainly been improvements, but it's been very slow compared to Gastown.