The Georgia | 157m | 48 fl | Completed

[johnjimbc]

I understand your point, Trofirhen, but I have to agree with the other posters. I don't dislike the current atrium, finding it pleasant though not stunning. And while the openness is nice, it does have kind of a late 80s / early 90s feel.

However, the outdoor space there doesn't really feel like "public space" to me. It's not a particularly well-used parcel of land, feeling more like a slightly wider sidewalk area on the corner than anything.

So I don't actually see it being redeveloped as a more modern entry & expanded retail space for the mall as being a loss. If done right, it might even improve the stature of the space and give it a more modern appeal. It will still be one of the major entrances to the mall so I imagine the entry will still be rather prominent, possibly even larger since they'll have two levels to work with. And adding a marquis store with a modern exterior will reinforce that aspect.

I just think the work for good open public space can be better achieved elsewhere . . . starting with the pathetically poor public plaza in front of the the VAG across the street .

[AlexYVR]

Originally Posted by johnjimbc

I understand your point, Trofirhen, but I have to agree with the other posters. I don't dislike the current atrium, finding it pleasant though not stunning. And while the openness is nice, it does have kind of a late 80s / early 90s feel.

In Trofirhen's defense, that was the last time he was in Vancouver so it probably fit right in I also like how the openness complements the VAG across the street, but don't think that the current atrium and rotunda is anything special. It's always just looked like a dirty igloo from the outside. The sidewalk separation means that the available space is pretty poorly used.

To bring this back to the correct topic, I'm glad there will be a chance for the new addition to the mall to interface with the Georgia across the street - hopefully they're complementary in nature. The height gain on the Georgia has really snuck up on me, I think because it hid behind the heritage structure for so long while Jameson House was a ground-up endeavor.

[Spoolmak]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Boy, you don't like open space downtown, do you?

There is plenty of open space downtown. Im sure this wont be the end of the world.

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by Spoolmak

There is plenty of open space downtown. Im sure this wont be the end of the world.

Plenty of green space, not so much plaza space.

The ultimate solution? Rebuild Granville (again) and Robson Street into pedestrian-only corridors 24/7.



http://www.cooltownstudios.com/site_index/2008/07/




http://www.jamesmerriman.co.uk/travelblog/labels/copenhagen.html




I don't find those two corners anything special either.

[SpikePhanta]

I like the Rotunda but if something good goes in i wouldn't mind that bit.

but i'll still miss the Rotunda for some wierd reason

[AlexYVR]

This is a great topic for Downtown Vancouver Updates, guys. Not so much for HG.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Yes the dead space between the station and sears/TD tower lobby will eventually be filled although there is currently no time line for it.

Trofiren, I don't know what to tell you, this is happening and it isn't really that bad. Its a small public space on private land on a busy street, I see the expansion as a vast improvement.

OK, I'll take your word for it. It just seemed to me that filling up those spaces with more "black box" architecture would make that corner more oppressive than ever.

(I happen to be someone who does not like the Pacific Centre architecture, although I realize there are people who do)

[dleung]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

You mean that plaza with the rotunda will disappear and become part of the building right up to the street corner? That sucks. Big Time. A public demonstration is in order - at the very least.
And for a lousy two-storey addition!!! The whole thing stinks!!
It's a cheap, nasty, travesty to the whole effort to make downtown more liveable.

I agree with the bolded part. The site is a ripe candidate for at least a 3-5 over-height floor retail building. Maybe throw in a slender hotel on top. Less CBC-esque wastage, more manhattanism please!

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by johnjimbc

So I don't actually see it being redeveloped as a more modern entry & expanded retail space for the mall as being a loss. If done right, it might even improve the stature of the space and give it a more modern appeal. It will still be one of the major entrances to the mall so I imagine the entry will still be rather prominent, possibly even larger since they'll have two levels to work with. And adding a marquis store with a modern exterior will reinforce that aspect.

I just think the work for good open public space can be better achieved elsewhere . . . starting with the pathetically poor public plaza in front of the the VAG across the street .

Originally Posted by AlexYVR

To bring this back to the correct topic, I'm glad there will be a chance for the new addition to the mall to interface with the Georgia across the street - hopefully they're complementary in nature. The height gain on the Georgia has really snuck up on me, I think because it hid behind the heritage structure for so long while Jameson House was a ground-up endeavor.

Thank you both for your feedback. Perhaps I got my "mental image" mixed up. I thought that ALL the open space around the Rotunda (which is so-so, I admit) would be totally filled to the max, creating another right-smack-to-the corner thing like the TD building across the street.
I also thought that smeone meant filling in the ENTIRE TD plaza.

Obviously I have this wrong, but from way over here without pix or diagrams, I can only take the words I read, and put together a mental picture of them.

If it were as ugly as I had imagined, I am sure that many members would be alarmed, too. But apparently it won't be, so .... "que sera sera" on this one.

[itinerant]

I think the idea that open plaza is "dead space" sucks. Both the piece between Sears and TD tower and the piece currently under the rotunda. Both Canada Line stations on Granville are poorly integrated into the street and buildings. In the case of the Downtown station at Granville, it should have addressed the plaza directly instead of creating a blank wall to it. On the rotunda side (which I like), the glass structure needs a lot of love (and plants). Its actually quite a pleasant space, and would perhaps benefit from better connection to the outside plaza adjacent to the street when weather permits.

I'm curious about the renovation, though. Does anybody have renderings of the long-range plans? I have to say that the first phase isn't too impressive so far, and is far behind schedule (I work in the [former] IBM tower) with the lobby renovation underway.

Maybe this discussion should move to another thread, though... its somewhat off topic.

Back on topic, the glazing is going up the Howe Street side to about 4th floor now for the outward-angled section.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by dleung

Less CBC-esque wastage, more manhattanism please!

Great catch-phrase !!! Let's make it a slogan !!!

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by itinerant

Back on topic, the glazing is going up the Howe Street side to about 4th floor now for the outward-angled section.

how does it look? is there spandrel or is it like the rest of the glazing

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by johnjimbc

I just think the work for good open public space can be better achieved elsewhere . . . starting with the pathetically poor public plaza in front of the the VAG across the street .

YES !! Regarding the Georgia St VAG plaza (I was on a committee to upgrade that years ago, and it got nowhere, despite solid support from the Gallery Director and the Vancouver Arts Council) THAT is a space that needs to have cosmetic surgery. More elgance. More lighting, especially the stone lions. Pure white light in the fountain. Possible European flagstones. Maybe a small cappucino bar and places to sit...You name it ........

[itinerant]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

how does it look? is there spandrel or is it like the rest of the glazing

It looks like this:

Photo by me

[officedweller]

Nice. Thanks for posting.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Thank you both for your feedback. Perhaps I got my "mental image" mixed up. I thought that ALL the open space around the Rotunda (which is so-so, I admit) would be totally filled to the max, creating another right-smack-to-the corner thing like the TD building across the street.
I also thought that smeone meant filling in the ENTIRE TD plaza.

Obviously I have this wrong, but from way over here without pix or diagrams, I can only take the words I read, and put together a mental picture of them.

If it were as ugly as I had imagined, I am sure that many members would be alarmed, too. But apparently it won't be, so .... "que sera sera" on this one.

Originally Posted by itinerant

I think the idea that open plaza is "dead space" sucks. Both the piece between Sears and TD tower and the piece currently under the rotunda. Both Canada Line stations on Granville are poorly integrated into the street and buildings. In the case of the Downtown station at Granville, it should have addressed the plaza directly instead of creating a blank wall to it. On the rotunda side (which I like), the glass structure needs a lot of love (and plants). Its actually quite a pleasant space, and would perhaps benefit from better connection to the outside plaza adjacent to the street when weather permits.

I'm curious about the renovation, though. Does anybody have renderings of the long-range plans? I have to say that the first phase isn't too impressive so far, and is far behind schedule (I work in the [former] IBM tower) with the lobby renovation underway.

Maybe this discussion should move to another thread, though... its somewhat off topic.

Back on topic, the glazing is going up the Howe Street side to about 4th floor now for the outward-angled section.

I've posted renders of the old proposal from a couple of years ago in the Downtown Vancouver Updates thread.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=138107&page=319

Note that proposal was rejected by either the UDP or DPB.

[trofirhen]

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH. That would make a good corner store. I wonder why City Hall nixed it?

[officedweller]

Go to the other thread - UDP minutes are linked in one of the posts.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Go to the other thread - UDP minutes are linked in one of the posts.

WHICH other thread, please?

[deasine]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

WHICH other thread, please?

Downtown Vancouver thread of course.