Downtown Vancouver Updates - Page 383

SFUVancouver · #**7641** Posted **Jul 14, 2011, 10:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Built Form

Here you can see the large anchor base for the retractable canopy to the left.

All pics by Built Form

Built Form, thanks for the photos of the Roundhouse Plaza. I'm very interested to see how this all turns out.

Smooth · #**7642** Posted **Jul 14, 2011, 11:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

I'm very interested to see how this all turns out.

No pun intended?

BCPhil · #**7643** Posted **Jul 15, 2011, 9:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Built Form

The 'Harper Government' make work project at the Roundhouse plaza is STILL not finished! It'll probably be done when summer is over. I don't agree with the re-orientation of the trestle as it impedes flow. I know they had this in mind for people to linger however the cobblestones are very uneven and hard to walk on.

I don't like the new alignment either. Correct my fuzzy memory if I'm wrong, but didn't the old alignment line up with the rail tracks that went down the side of the round house, all the way through to Drake; which also created a linear walking path/sight line between Davie and Drake. And it was neat seeing the side of the turntable from Pacific, creating a visual curiosity for people walking by on Pacific, now it looks like meh (you have to get right down there into the square to even notice it is a historic turntable).

This is probably the single dumbest thing I've seen done recently and I'm surprised the Rail Heritage society would OK it. They are spoiling a heritage landmark on the off chance that people will want to hang out in an area where residents actively chase people, events, and businesses away. Plus from the design I saw, it looks like the canopy will obstruct the view of the amazing heritage structure that is the Roundhouse.

trofirhen · #**7644** Posted **Jul 15, 2011, 9:34 PM**

Ticks me off like crazy that they couldn't have left a good thing alone. It is a heritage piece, after all. And does that canopy or whatever it is have to be located right there?

osirisboy · #**7645** Posted **Jul 15, 2011, 9:48 PM**

i really like the new alignment

s211 · #**7646** Posted **Jul 15, 2011, 9:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCPhil

This is probably the single dumbest thing I've seen done recently and I'm surprised the Rail Heritage society would OK it. They are spoiling a heritage landmark on the off chance that people will want to hang out in an area where residents actively chase people, events, and businesses away. Plus from the design I saw, it looks like the canopy will obstruct the view of the amazing heritage structure that is the Roundhouse.

Ummmm, you do realize that we're talking about a TURNTABLE. There's no such thing as an untouchable alignment for something that used to spin around!

WarrenC12 · #**7647** Posted **Jul 16, 2011, 1:53 AM**

Its supposed to be helping the no-fun city by making an outdoor venue.

To be honest, as a local resident I really like the flavour of the roundhouse, but nothing happens in that outdoor space, ever. Anything to make it a little more useful is worth it. As for the contruction delay, well, that's everywhere.

Hed Kandi · #**7648** Posted **Jul 16, 2011, 3:17 AM**

..

SKYSTHELIMIT · #**7649** Posted **Jul 16, 2011, 7:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hed Kandi

Created in error

Interesting, this is exactly what is printed on my birth certificate.

hollywoodnorth · #**7650** Posted **Jul 18, 2011, 2:40 AM**

swift progress on the "Granville & Robson 'Puff Block' & Charlies" ........ both buildings are set to be vacated by the end of THIS month ... charlies apparently has NO new location lined up and looks to be the end of the line for this Vancouver institution :S

FYI: Puff moved to the Cherry Bombs building a few doors down Granville

pic by me, hosted on FB >>

Built Form · #**7651** Posted **Jul 18, 2011, 7:06 PM**

Well this is a surprise, Concord has partnered with Millenium to launch the Alexandra on Davie street project. Just got an email to register for it.

VancouverPM · #**7652** Posted **Jul 18, 2011, 7:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Built Form

Well this is a surprise, Concord has partnered with Millenium to launch the Alexandra on Davie street project. Just got an email to register for it.

wow...thats rather intriquing indeed...

jlousa · #**7653** Posted **Jul 18, 2011, 8:20 PM**

Not too surprised, Concord has been capitalizing on distressed properties for a while now. EG Uptown, Park Place.

phesto · #**7654** Posted **Jul 18, 2011, 8:23 PM**

Apparently there will shortly be a full rezoning submission for a 40-storey tower at Howe and Drake.

Details here: http://www.bondsgroupofcompanies.com/portfolio-canada.html

http://www.bondsgroupofcompanies.com/portfolio/howe.gif

jlousa · #**7655** Posted **Jul 18, 2011, 8:31 PM**

Hopefully they include at least the same amount of existing commercial space in the new proposal, though doubtful.
Doesn't look anywhere as good as it's upcoming neighbour though.

jlousa · #**7656** Posted **Jul 18, 2011, 8:48 PM**

Been a little busy lately, so some of this is a week old already.

845 Avison Way (Vancouver Aquarium)

Notification Letter
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/845avisonway/notiltr.pdf

SitePlan
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/845avisonway/site.pdf

Design Rationale
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/845avisonway/designrat.pdf

N+S Elevations
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/845avisonway/nseles.pdf

W Elevations
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/845avisonway/wele.pdf

Landscape Plan
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/845avisonway/lscape.pdf

A little more modest then the original proposal, but still a very big improvement/modernization.

jlousa · #**7657** Posted **Jul 18, 2011, 9:03 PM**

This one is bound to stir up some emotions.

138 E Hastings (Pantages Site)

Notification Letter
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/138ehastings/notiltr.pdf

Application Letter
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/development...%20Applicant%20describing%20DE414810.doc

Context Plan
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/138ehastings/contextpl.pdf

N Elevation
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/138ehastings/nele.pdf

E Elevation
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/138ehastings/eele.pdf

S Elevation
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/138ehastings/sele.pdf

W Elevation
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/138ehastings/wele.pdf

My thoughts... think the developer is playing it smart by not looking for a rezoning and staying within the existing zoning. This site would be a challenge to get rezoned. Interesting that they are also going the affordable housing units route. Not that there might have been much choice given the current immediate area. Hopefully they can find 79 eager buyers that can bring energy into the community. They're calling for 12 commercial units which strikes me as an less then desirable idea, would prefer to see a few larger units. Also not too sure if the connection to Market Alley in Chinatown will be a winning idea. I like to concept of it, and who knows in 10-20yrs we might be glad it's there; right now not so sure. Hope the 18 social housing units will be enough to keep the activists at bay.

LeftCoaster · #**7658** Posted **Jul 18, 2011, 9:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlousa

Doesn't look anywhere as good as it's upcoming neighbour though.

When is that going to be anounced!? I've been waiting patiently for almost 2 years now!

SFUVancouver · #**7659** Posted **Jul 18, 2011, 9:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by phesto

Apparently there will shortly be a full rezoning submission for a 40-storey tower at Howe and Drake.

http://www.bondsgroupofcompanies.com/portfolio/howe.gif

Based on that tiny Sketch-up rendering it looks as if the row of houses that front onto Drake Street are being retained. I'm very pleased to see this and I think the retention of the handful of remaining single family homes in the downtown core is a great thing. They add diversity of building types, character, a link to the past, and are intriguing locations for offices.

LeftCoaster · #**7660** Posted **Jul 18, 2011, 10:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

Based on that tiny Sketch-up rendering it looks as if the row of houses that front onto Drake Street are being retained. I'm very pleased to see this and I think the retention of the handful of remaining single family homes in the downtown core is a great thing. They add diversity of building types, character, a link to the past, and are intriguing locations for offices.

Agreed. I've always been quite fond of these ones.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=Vancouver,+...4UWftrVYTNF0M47jA&cbp=12,318.89,,0,-3.62