Vancouver House (1400 Howe St) | 151.5m | 52Fl | Completed

[Alex Mackinnon]

I don't see why it would be so hard to get stuff built under the ramps. There's not a whole lot around it for a couple blocks, and I'm sure locals living on that side of Yaletown would appreciate the development.

Flooding their feedback form with support is yes.

[trofirhen]

In the scenic render of the tower looking south (a couple of pages back) there's another big straight tall building. Do I presume that represents the Mark?

[Canadian Mind]

Originally Posted by wrenegade

Keep in mind Burrard Gateway and Vancouver's turn will both be taller. But 5th tallest isn't too shabby!

Man, 5 years ago this would have been the cities tallest. The fact it'll soon be regulated to 5th place is amazing.

Still, seeing it cusp the 500 foot barrier would have been nice, one more floor and all. Especially with something as gorgeous as this! I may have creamed myself a little.

[dleung]

I still dislike the podiums and how it conceals the base of the tower, (when the tower should be emphasized as a stand-alone piece), and the fact that the facade is a poor imitation of the actual tower texture... either make it completely different or the same! I also think that the chunk southeast of Granville should not be part of this project, but saved for the development opposite it maintain a uniform architecture on either side of the bridge, (Aa || bB instead of Aa || aB). At least they've simplified the geometry of the cavities, because the previous version looked really 80's with the chamfered corners.

Originally Posted by Prometheus

I respect this building's boldness and originality (at least for Vancouver) and I hope it gets built (rather than another dull mediocrity). But I won't pretend the tower is beautiful. It is top-heavy and unbalanced.

That said, it will be a healthy break in the monotony.

The tower threw me off initially, since I think skylines look best with the classic Manhattan massing (fat low-rise, skinny high-rise) but I've begun to love how gravity-defying and improbable this thing looks. The tower looks like it's in the process of being beamed in, materializing in little cubes from the sky downward. Definitely shifted my perception of beauty.

I hope there are some terraces at the top concealed by the facade extension, assuming that a green roof is a given.

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Surprisingly this proposal has gathered 0 responses on the Canadian threads......

Some people only fap to 200m boxes.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by dleung

The tower looks like it's in the process of being beamed in...

The word "process" is apt. It is in the process of becoming something coherent, but not there yet. It is thus incomplete. It is consequently frozen in an awkward moment.

But I think the reverse more properly applies: It was once complete, but now is in the process of disintegration. It is thus warped, deformed.

In either case, it is not in its natural state. Its architectural telos has been frustrated.

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Its architectural telos has been frustrated.

ugh.....

[Bankview]

Reminds me somewhat of a partial strand of human DNA?

I like it.

[Canadian Mind]

Originally Posted by Bankview

Reminds me somewhat of a partial strand of human DNA?

I like it.

I look at it the same way. Although for the sake of symmetry (well, asymmetry) I'd argue for the top portion of the south side to curve in as you go up the same way the bottom or the north side curves in as you go down. Could result in more height and an even more dramatic design. However, I'd be concerned about the structure at that point. Could the compressed-concrete core handle the lopsided loads associated with a tower that is effectively leaning that much, especially in our earthquake prone area?

[dleung]

No doubt it will be engineered to be as - if not more - stable than any other tower, but I just realized that it's perceived danger might cause neighbours to oppose the design for psychological reasons (besides the usual nimby concerns).

It's crazy how floorplates at the top are twice as large as at the bottom. The last time I remember a building having nearly half its volume cantilevered so close to the center of gravity are these towers in Madrid:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5059/5406582241_32d56abd33_z.jpg

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by dleung

No doubt it will be engineered to be as - if not more - stable than any other tower, but I just realized that it's perceived danger might cause neighbours to oppose the design for psychological reasons (besides the usual nimby concerns).

It's crazy how floorplates at the top are twice as large as at the bottom. The last time I remember a building having nearly half its volume cantilevered so close to the center of gravity are these towers in Madrid:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5059/5406582241_32d56abd33_z.jpg

I pass those towers every day

[red-paladin]

Well it's 1/3 of the volume that is cantilevered. One half of the building is normal, and the bottom quarter of the other side is missing. That means three of the four quarters of the building exist and of them is cantilevered right?

[Chadillaccc]

I reallllly hope this goes through without significant design interference. Unless it is positive interference like in the case with the Burrard Gateway.

[SFUVancouver]

Originally Posted by Alex Mackinnon

I don't see why it would be so hard to get stuff built under the ramps.

The Engineering Department requires full and unimpeded access to all parts of the bridge, including its off/on ramps. Not only that, but they require a hefty setback from the sides of the bridge in order to allow maintenance.

[hollywoodnorth]

local news media is finally picking up this HUGE story >>

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-co...ocative-vancouver-building-proposal.html

[LotusLand]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

local news media is finally picking up this HUGE story >>

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-co...ocative-vancouver-building-proposal.html

The comments are hilarious. That's the only reason I read news sites

[giallo]

Did anyone watch the news tonight? My dad just called to say he saw it on Global or CTV (not sure which). Apparently, people of all stripes are loving the design.

[osirisboy]

Global news tonight had a story about the project. I was afraid the story was going to be full of people complaining about it being to high but it was all very positive.

[Metro-One]

Excellent to hear!

[Echowinds]

The link to the Global story:

http://www.globaltvbc.com/video/unique+condo+tower+proposed/video.html?v=2198082855#stories/video

[Chadillaccc]

Awesome video. Good to hear people are liking it