Downtown Vancouver Updates

[dreambrother808]

Gregor's words are perhaps being misconstrued. I assumed that he was speaking of a quite long-term vision, a future Vancouver.

[jlousa]

Really pushing the boundaries of Downtown with this one but it's an important development, as the article was already posted here I figured I'd show the pics as well.

Is the existing look.


Future render with concrete replaced with windows.

Both images sourced Vancouver sun.
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Architect+realize+vision+remand+centre/4686829/story.html


Of the 95units there will be 24 rented out at the current welfare rates of $375/month with the rest going for ~$600/month for studios and ~$700/month for 1bds

[logan5]

Originally Posted by vanman

Toronto is not even close to rivalling any of these cities, and Vancouver is not even close to rivalling Toronto

What's the population density of downtown Vancouver now? It's gotta be at least close to Downtown Toronto, and density is what pretty much makes a downtown area great...I think.

[flight_from_kamakura]

^ yeah, i'm with gregor, vancouver could be truly great in 50 years. also, — on that remand center reno! hope that's completely redone. sure, there are funding constraints, but surely there's more to be done there. sell part of the site?

[jlousa]

Density helps but it's not the only thing, you require critical mass as well, which we have for some things but are far from having for others.

[Porfiry]

Critical mass of what? You typed some words but said nothing.

[jlousa]

How did I say nothing? I stated that we do not have the critical mass necessary, in reference to being compared to a Paris/London/New York.
We do not have anywhere near enough population to provide the energy/vibrancy/cultural amenities those cities provide.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Really pushing the boundaries of Downtown with this one but it's an important development, as the article was already posted here I figured I'd show the pics as well.

Is the existing look.


Future render with concrete replaced with windows.

Both images sourced Vancouver sun.
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Architect+realize+vision+remand+centre/4686829/story.html


Of the 95units there will be 24 rented out at the current welfare rates of $375/month with the rest going for ~$600/month for studios and ~$700/month for 1bds

this is a great project!

[jlousa]

I agree.

95units for only $13Million is a steal compared to other recent units. Since the jail had a gym it will also be converted into an amenity space. As well as the interior jail courtyard will house a large deck and trees. Great reuse of an existing space.

Go Henriquez Go.

Here's a link to a lecture he gave at McGill, titled the Inclusive City. I know it's 40min long but I highly recommend watching it. I certainly don't agree with some of his political views but he's someone I highly respect. There is some info on the old MacDonald proposal for Chinatown that was turned down. It was going to be absolutely incredible.

http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/architecture-2/the-inclusive-city/

[Porfiry]

Originally Posted by jlousa

How did I say nothing? I stated that we do not have the critical mass necessary, in reference to being compared to a Paris/London/New York.
We do not have anywhere near enough population to provide the energy/vibrancy/cultural amenities those cities provide.

Do you even read your own words? You said "you require critical mass as well, which we have for some things but are far from having for others". "Some things" and "others" are empty, uselessly non-specific words.

"Energy" and "vibrancy" aren't easily quantifiable metrics. I personally like WalkScore, and Vancouver does exceptionally well.

[jlousa]

That's great, I'll await Gregor's next announcement in which he tells us that his Walkscore is higher then Bloomberg's and that we've now passed New York on the world stage.

[Porfiry]

Some additional context through another quote from the speech:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nati...offers-vision-for-future/article2003040/

“We have really exciting opportunities to reimagine our downtown in new ways and to build the heart of our city and the public spaces in Vancouver in a way that’s comparable to the great cities of the world,” he said, mentioning New York and London.

So, the "will rival" phrase is just an ambition.

That said, I'd now like to join my fellow SSPers in condemning this absurdly unrealistic vision. How dare the mayor speak positively and ambitiously about our city. This is Vancouver and being mediocre and insecure is what we do.

[dreambrother808]

Wow... That Inclusive City lecture was brilliant. I had appreciation for Henriquez's work but seriously, what clear heart the man has, such unabashed, unrepentant humanitarianism. It made me ashamed of my own jaded acceptance of the status quo, my inability to see past the perceived impossibility of envisioning any kind of difference when it comes to homelessness or affordability.

The Chinatown proposal was beautiful. Is there any hope of that being resurrected with the new height allowances?

[entheosfog]

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

As an aside, the company that owns the Nissan Cube, Protec, has some of the worst drivers of any corporate fleet in the city. I regularly see them do dangerous and illegal things at Commercial and First like run a red light, make a left turn light at speed onto First at Commercial while pedestrians are in the sidewalk, and turn right at speed onto First from Commercial on a red light without stopping and without regard for pedestrians. Maybe it is just one terrible driver who is on that route or maybe they have impossible schedules that makes them do dangerous things, but whatever the reason I always give them a wide berth on the road.

I work for that company and that is my vehicle in the picture. There are — drivers ALL AROUND and I see it every day in every city in the Lower Mainland, whether it be company drivers or private cars. We have 10 company vehicles so perhaps the odds are you see ours more because of that fact.
But I will pass your astute observations on to my coworkers, thanks.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by jlousa

I agree.

95units for only $13Million is a steal compared to other recent units. Since the jail had a gym it will also be converted into an amenity space. As well as the interior jail courtyard will house a large deck and trees. Great reuse of an existing space.

Go Henriquez Go.

Here's a link to a lecture he gave at McGill, titled the Inclusive City. I know it's 40min long but I highly recommend watching it. I certainly don't agree with some of his political views but he's someone I highly respect. There is some info on the old MacDonald proposal for Chinatown that was turned down. It was going to be absolutely incredible.

http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/architecture-2/the-inclusive-city/

also as the saying goes .... "the greenest buildings are ones already built". This is a great reuse of a building IMO....its just sad it took a decade to happen

Go Henriquez Go.

also here is a direct DL link for the Henriquez Lecture >> http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/pods/architecture/P110391ARCHHenriquez.m4v

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by vanman

Toronto is not even close to rivalling any of these cities, and Vancouver is not even close to rivalling Toronto, pull your head out of your — Gregor.

Without trying to sound snotty, I think Gregor's remark is indicative of the small-town mentality that persists in Vancouver. Somehow, the city just can't outgrow being a big Hicksville, sometimes.

[delboy]

Originally Posted by Porfiry

The actual meat of the article, you know, the stuff that's actually relevant to this forum:



Good job at derailing another thread, though. Moderators?

that was my feeling too, his comments were taken largely out of context, although such comparisons to mega cities are silly. Still, Vancouver certainly does get more vibrant with each passing year.

[delboy]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Without trying to sound snotty, I think Gregor's remark is indicative of the small-town mentality that persists in Vancouver. Somehow, the city just can't outgrow being a big Hicksville, sometimes.

I take exception with this stero-typing. I have been here close to 20 years, moved from Miami, previously lived in Manchester, Lancaster, Edinbrugh, Glasgow, Plymouth, and even a 4 month stint in Moscow.

Vancouver has grown up a lot recently and granted there is much room for improvement, but such comments get tiresome. Frankly, while there are pros and cons everywhere, Vancouver to me is not much different than many of the other cities I have lived in and have never once thought of the place as Hicksville. Please elaborate what is hicksville about the place, coming from someone who does not even live here....

Other than a muted night life scene, I don't really notice much difference to other NA cities I travel to.

[s211]

Originally Posted by mr.x

It's not even April Fools Day:


“Downtown Vancouver is quickly becoming one of the most thriving, energetic downtowns in all of the world. It will rival the downtowns of New York and London and Paris,”
- Gregor Robertson

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Dow...n+mayor/4692683/story.html#ixzz1KrmgdMoj

Really want me to depress your Friday? There were enough idiot voters to get Robertson over the goal line. Gregor's just playing to his lowest common denom.

[Coldrsx]

Remand redo, great idea! Edmonton has theirs under review now as it is adjacent to the CBD and will be vacated next yr. I too am hoping for something similar to what Van is doing.