Jameson House | 116m | 37fl | Completed

[delboy]

Originally Posted by Reesonov

I've already acknowledged that downtown Vancouver activity is far higher than downtown Calgary outside of business hours. I stand by my comments:

not really sure what you are trying to say....nothing feels more urban or big city about calgary, other than the horrific urban sprawl.

Vancouver is also a very busy place during the day, the CBD, robson. etc is teaming with bodies...Calgary does get busier during the day, but I in no way shape or form can say more so than Vancouver.

I dislike calgary with a passion....while marginally better than Edmonton's core, it is whoefully lacking....

[Pavlov]

Originally Posted by delboy

not really sure what you are trying to say....nothing feels more urban or big city about calgary, other than the horrific urban sprawl.
...
I dislike calgary with a passion....while marginally better than Edmonton's core, it is whoefully lacking....

Perhaps I'm not expressing myself well. I'll try again: in my opinion, Calgary feels more "big city" than Vancouver in one way: it has more of a commercial/corporate atmosphere in terms of architecture and people on the streets wearing suits (for lack of a better indicator). Incidentally, this is demonstrably true (in terms of corporate presence in each city's CBD). Vancouver is clearly more urban and has more of a "big city" atmosphere in every or nearly every other way.

Other cities (albeit mostly much larger ones) also feel more "big city" than Vancouver in (at least) this one respect (commercial or corporate atmosphere). In my opinion, Vancouver lacks this atmosphere. Perhaps you don't think that this is an important element of "big city" atmosphere. Fair enough. In my experience, having been to a fairly large number of the world's very largest cities, and living in at least one of them (no, not Regina), I do think that this is an important element in creating that atmosphere.

Do you understand what I'm trying to say now? Are you still offended? Incidentally, I have no interest in this turning into a city v. city debate. I'm sorry to hear that you dislike Calgary with a passion. Seems a strange thing to be passionate about, but to each their own.

[delboy]

Originally Posted by Reesonov

Perhaps I'm not expressing myself well. I'll try again: in my opinion, Calgary feels more "big city" than Vancouver in one way: it has more of a commercial/corporate atmosphere in terms of architecture and people on the streets wearing suits (for lack of a better indicator). Incidentally, this is demonstrably true (in terms of corporate presence in each city's CBD). Vancouver is clearly more urban and has more of a "big city" atmosphere in every or nearly every other way.

Other cities (albeit mostly much larger ones) also feel more "big city" than Vancouver in (at least) this one respect (commercial or corporate atmosphere). In my opinion, Vancouver lacks this atmosphere. Perhaps you don't think that this is an important element of "big city" atmosphere. Fair enough. In my experience, having been to a fairly large number of the world's very largest cities, and living in at least one of them (no, not Regina), I do think that this is an important element in creating that atmosphere.

Do you understand what I'm trying to say now? Are you still offended? Incidentally, I have no interest in this turning into a city v. city debate. I'm sorry to hear that you dislike Calgary with a passion. Seems a strange thing to be passionate about, but to each their own.

now now , no need to get flip ....I have also lived in many other cities and countries, including London. Not sure what you mean by big city architecture...true that most high rises there are office towers, but to suggest that it feels more big city even if it is a narrow segment you are suggesting. I am there often.... i don't see it.

I was not offended, just found it laughable that Calgary and bigger city feel vs vancouver were used interchangebly in your post. It is no secret that there are more head offices in Calgary vs here, but i simply don't find that the street activity associated with it (and granted this is largely what the street life is during the day) creates a more big city feel., business atire or not.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by flight_from_kamakura

we may well yearn for greatness, but vancouver's way, young jedis, lies along another path.

Which path does our way lie along? What is the future role of Vancouver, as you see it, please? I'm in no way questioning your remark. I'm really interested where you think we are going. Into what type of city are we growing?

[delboy]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Which path does our way lie along? What is the future role of Vancouver, as you see it, please? I'm in no way questioning your remark. I'm really interested where you think we are going. Into what type of city are we growing?

a more mature one? I believe/hope that the vancouver 10 years from now will be more international, with better culture, improved transit and just generally more grown up and organic. When i look at the changes over the past two decades, i can see great things for the place.....

[delboy]

Originally Posted by Canadian Mind

Imagine that view now without renders...

And to think the downtown peninsula, while mostly built-out, still has hundreds of low-mid rise lots that can be redeveloped. What we've seen in the past 25 years is only the shell of what the city will be in 2061, or even just 2036.

it is astonishing...i have been here about 20 years, but started coming here around 1989....it is truly remarkable the changes that have taken place in that time. One can only imagine what the future will bring....sure is fun watching the little fella grow up!

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by delboy

a more mature one? I believe/hope that the vancouver 10 years from now will be more international, with better culture, improved transit and just generally more grown up and organic. When i look at the changes over the past two decades, i can see great things for the place.....

Yes. I agree with you on all counts.
I suppose I meant, what will the city's economy be?
A major corporate centre? Not likely!! (Calgary, quite possibly)
A tourist-oriented town? A convention city? A medical research centre with a major pharmaceutical infrastructure? An international banking centre (such as some cities in Switzerland)? A major seaport, logging, and mining centre (rather the way it is now)? ........... or something additional and different? I know there are a lot of different facets to the economy already, but will Vancouver become the focal point of one or more? Or is it destined to remain a branch-plant town with a respectable film industry and retiree community; an overseas investment haven for real estate buyers? What? Please ... I am NOT being facetious. I just would like an idea of what kind of city to expect ..... love to hear people's ideas and predictions .......

[agrant]

I love Jameson House! There, can't say I was off topic.

Originally Posted by trofirhen

I suppose I meant, what will the city's economy be?
A major corporate centre? Not likely!! (Calgary, quite possibly)
A tourist-oriented town? A convention city? A medical research centre with a major pharmaceutical infrastructure? An international banking centre (such as some cities in Switzerland)? A major seaport, logging, and mining centre (rather the way it is now)? ........... or something additional and different? I know there are a lot of different facets to the economy already, but will Vancouver become the focal point of one or more? Or is it destined to remain a branch-plant town with a respectable film industry and retiree community; an overseas investment haven for real estate buyers? What? Please ... I am NOT being facetious. I just would like an idea of what kind of city to expect ..... love to hear people's ideas and predictions .......

Probably more of the same, if we're talking about the next decade or two. Beyond that, it'd be like predicting next months weather. We're a port city, that isn't going to change. We've been into the resource (forestry etc.) business since day one, and that'll probably continue with all the demand from China... Vancouver also has a lot going for it as far as being a tourist destination, and I see this growing bit by bit if the city can get their act together. We'll see growth in the tech area, like green technology. As a major corporate city, probably not, but we can only become more corporate. So more of everything.

[Pavlov]

Originally Posted by delboy

now now , no need to get flip ....I have also lived in many other cities and countries, including London. Not sure what you mean by big city architecture...true that most high rises there are office towers, but to suggest that it feels more big city even if it is a narrow segment you are suggesting. I am there often.... i don't see it.

I was not offended, just found it laughable that Calgary and bigger city feel vs vancouver were used interchangebly in your post. It is no secret that there are more head offices in Calgary vs here, but i simply don't find that the street activity associated with it (and granted this is largely what the street life is during the day) creates a more big city feel., business atire or not.

Fair enough. I think we can just agree to disagree on this small point. We've taken this thread far enough off topic I think. Agreed?

Anyway, just to reiterate, I love the aesthetic of Jameson House. I think it turned out great. Canada is lucky to have a couple of Foster-designed skyscrapers now.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Reesonov

Fair enough. I think we can just agree to disagree on this small point. We've taken this thread far enough off topic I think. Agreed?

Anyway, just to reiterate, I love the aesthetic of Jameson House. I think it turned out great. Canada is lucky to have a couple of Foster-designed skyscrapers now.

YES!! (now if only they'd do something with that hideous 🞵🞵🞵-end of the building) .....

[vanman]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

This may
Nevertheless, for urbanity, Vancouver somehow wins out, even though it's rainier (and a litttle less walkable as a result).

Fun Facts (from Wiki)

Metro Vancouver | Metro Seattle

Population: 2,116,581 (2006) | 3,407,848 (2010)

Land Area 2,877 sqkm | 15,265 sqkm

Population density might have a little something to do with it.

[LeftCoaster]

Vancouver will boom in the next two decades. The city is a major player in the global mining sector which is set to boom for the forseeable future as demand is going to put intense pressure on supply, driving up revenues and profits for base mineral miners, which vancouver has in abundance.

As far as Vancouver's urbanity, its a very interesting connundrum which I have put an awful lot of thought into over the years. What I feel is that Vancouver has immense density of a NA city, but it attempts to hide it through its architecture and urban design, hence why its streets seem busy but the overall city has a smaller city feel. Its an incredible feat to have achieved the denisty the city enjoys yet still have quaint neighbourhood feels. Neighbourhoods with similar density ive lived in in Toronto or Singapore often have much bigger city feels due to lack of greenery, ground level development design and tower massing.

This forum often focusses on Vancouverism inventing the point tower, but I think Vancouverism's most impressive feat is in its neighbourhood design and its ability to hide density at the street level.

Originally Posted by trofirhen

YES!! (now if only they'd do something with that hideous 🞵🞵🞵-end of the building) .....

They will, buildings will be built all around it and you will barely be able to see that side of the building... hence its neglect in design and hence me not hating jameson for its lack of backside elegance.

[entheosfog]

Nothing much to see in this pic but I thought I'd post it anyway:

[vansky]

some streets in this city feel really premitive and small town, but it's good because it gives an alternative option to big city noise and traffic. 15 yrs into the future, the suburbs will have true urban centers, and we r living through history right now haha...the question is how would it look like in the future, just condos, restaurants and people or sth else...

my friend, who visited a week ago, thought she would see an unique canadian metropolis, but ended up seeing just another city...condos, restaurants and "subways"...

and she was comparing it to new york,(not a good comparison but many still make it)ppl got high expectations for vancouver, we have to realize that

[PROSTSHOCKER]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Which path does our way lie along? What is the future role of Vancouver, as you see it, please? I'm in no way questioning your remark. I'm really interested where you think we are going. Into what type of city are we growing?

A path that probably won't be where the only people downtown are to be found between 9-5 wearing suits with blackberries attached to their skulls.

There seems to be a cognitive dissonance between what a city is (a dense settlement full of people) and a "big city feel" (a hollowed out core purposed almost entirely to serve surburban commuters)

Something more in line to the term posted earlier; "Mas European"

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by PROSTSHOCKER

There seems to be a cognitive dissonance between what a city is (a dense settlement full of people) and a "big city feel" (a hollowed out core purposed almost entirely to serve surburban commuters)

Is that how you perceive "big city feel?" I don't think it has to be hollow, soul-less, and desolate the way you portray it. I think it's a combination of urban geography, yes, but also, culture, living, amenities, shopping, mentality, range of content and interest, as well as just a work-magnet for commuters.

New York is probably the ultimate example of "big city feel," and these days, with safer streets, it's busy, fascinating, cultured, and alive virtually 24 / 24. Much the same applies to Montreal on a smaller scale. There, the nightlife never stops. I would be interested to hear other people's definitions of "big city feel." This may be much more subjective than otherwise thought.

The elegant side of Jameson House, in my opinion, contributes its per centage to that feeling in Vancouver, BTW.

Any further ideas, ladies and gentlemen?

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by entheosfog

Nothing much to see in this pic but I thought I'd post it anyway:

There may not be much to see, per se, yet it somehow exudes that "big city feel" people are talking about just now. The convex University Club building (????), and the arches of JH complement each other well here. Interesting!

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by vansky

my friend, who visited a week ago, thought she would see an unique canadian metropolis, but ended up seeing just another city...condos, restaurants and "subways"...

What was she expecting, highrise igloos?

Buildings are buildings are buildings. Streets have retail.
We have more street life and streetscape asthetic qualities than a lot of US cities.
We are after all, a young North American city.

[delboy]

Originally Posted by vansky

some streets in this city feel really premitive and small town, but it's good because it gives an alternative option to big city noise and traffic. 15 yrs into the future, the suburbs will have true urban centers, and we r living through history right now haha...the question is how would it look like in the future, just condos, restaurants and people or sth else...

my friend, who visited a week ago, thought she would see an unique canadian metropolis, but ended up seeing just another city...condos, restaurants and "subways"...

and she was comparing it to new york,(not a good comparison but many still make it)ppl got high expectations for vancouver, we have to realize that

yep, that's called a city.....what was she looking for, the hanging gardens of babylon? heards of wilder beasts rampaging down Robson.....

[Phil McAvity]

Originally Posted by delboy

yep, that's called a city.....what was she looking for, the hanging gardens of babylon? heards of wilder beasts rampaging down Robson.....

Originally Posted by vansky

and she was comparing it to new york,(not a good comparison but many still make it)ppl got high expectations for vancouver, we have to realize that

They're actually called "wildebeests", but I agree with you guys and while it may seem flattering to get compared to the big apple, it's like comparing Halifax to San Diego. New York and Vancouver are apples and oranges for all kinds of reasons.

Originally Posted by trofirhen

The convex University Club building (????)

You included the question marks for a good reason because i'm pretty sure the convex building in the foreground is actually the Terminal City Club Tower.