The Ridge | 2118 West 15th Avenue | 5fl | 17.06M | Completed - Page 2

Jebby · #21 Posted **Jun 13, 2012, 3:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Sad indeed. Both are/were great destinations and gave people reason enough to hang out in their own hood. I used to bike there from my condo at UBC to meet friends from the westside.

Really? I used to live about 5 minutes southeast of the Ridge on Marguerite St. and the Ridge used to always seem like a dump. Only reason to go would be for the McDonald's and even then the one in Kerrisdale is much nicer and only a short drive or bus trip away. If we ever wanted to hang out somewhere we'd go to the Arbutus Club. The bowling alley sucked, only ever went there for birthday parties in elementary school, the Chinese restaurant above that wasn't very good, and the movie theatre never played anything new and had horrible sightlines. I wouldn't really miss anything there.

quobobo · #22 Posted **Jun 13, 2012, 5:11 AM**

^ Agreed. I've heard many stories about how great the theatre used to be but its glory days have certainly been over for a long time now.

Seems like a natural consequence for commercial amenities in aging neighbourhoods that refuse to accept more housing.

whatnext · #23 Posted **Jun 13, 2012, 5:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by galeforcewinds

Really? I used to live about 5 minutes southeast of the Ridge on Marguerite St. and the Ridge used to always seem like a dump. Only reason to go would be for the McDonald's and even then the one in Kerrisdale is much nicer and only a short drive or bus trip away. If we ever wanted to hang out somewhere we'd go to the Arbutus Club. The bowling alley sucked, only ever went there for birthday parties in elementary school, the Chinese restaurant above that wasn't very good, and the movie theatre never played anything new and had horrible sightlines. I wouldn't really miss anything there.

I didn't realize there was a heirarchy of "niceness" for McDonalds. I guess the ambience adds to the culinary experience

As to the Ridge playing anything "new", depending on how old you are that would have been due to the fact they were a rep cinema that played classics or offbeat movies. No, it wasn't some glitzy stadium style theatre, but quirks like being able to hear the low rumble of bowling balls at a quiet point in teh movie is one of those things that helps give a place soul. As befitting a resort city (despite the shitty weather), Vancouver is becoming blander by the month.

incognism · #24 Posted **Jun 13, 2012, 4:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

I didn't realize there was a heirarchy of "niceness" for McDonalds. I guess the ambience adds to the culinary experience

McDonalds Canada sure seems to think so. Why else would they be spending $1 Billion to renovate store interiors?

I have my doubts a rebuilt bowling alley would be commercially viable in that location, however I do echo djh's comments about wanting to see something like Fifth Avenue Cinemas in that space. A modern four-plex would definitely serve Arbutus well.

officedweller · #25 Posted **Jun 13, 2012, 7:03 PM**

Time for the neighbourhood to lobby for an entertainment component to the redeveloped Arbutus Village...

wrenegade · #26 Posted **Jun 13, 2012, 9:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Time for the neighbourhood to lobby for an entertainment component to the redeveloped Arbutus Village...

This makes a lot more sense than trying to fit it into the comparably very small Ridge site.

wrenegade · #27 Posted **Oct 9, 2012, 9:56 PM**

This goes to DP Board hearing in 5 minutes. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend. Will be interesting to see how/if things changed from the original design.

Jebby · #28 Posted **Oct 10, 2012, 1:02 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrenegade

This goes to DP Board hearing in 5 minutes. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend. Will be interesting to see how/if things changed from the original design.

I hope it passes. I might be the only one, but I really liked the original proposal.

red_lantern · #29 Posted **Oct 10, 2012, 1:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jebby

I hope it passes. I might be the only one, but I really liked the original proposal.

Bowling balls and not recking balls!

Cressey is a great developer, does great work and has great quality. A new building would be great for the area, and if he incorporates the bowling alley as part of the retail / community hall sort of area this would be great.

They have a smart design team, I'm sure they can come up with a way to get this done, keep the community happy and contribute to the charitable campaigns that they are well known for.

Plus I bet if he incorporates this into the building many of those that love the bowling alley may purchase there! And in this time of falling real-estate markets you don't want to lose purchasers.

VancouverPM · #30 Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 3:33 PM**

Its a crying shame that is wasn't approved at 5 Stories...Its also quite unfortunate that people don't understand the logistics and financial repercussions of the theatre/bowling alley. I'm sure if an operator had stepped forward Cressey would have taken it under advisement but even the existing operator wasn't willing to kick in the dough.

wrenegade · #31 Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 5:05 PM**

So this was turned down at DP Board yesterday then?

jlousa · #32 Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 5:45 PM**

The 5 storey proposal was turned down, as the developer failed to properly address the community (DPB's words), it was approved for 4 storeys though.

wrenegade · #33 Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 5:51 PM**

Ya, I just read an article in the sun saying the same thing. I imagine we'll see a similar (or the same plan) with the proposed 4th floor cut out now I guess?

As for the bowling alley controversy, the city really should have seen it coming. It has nothing to do with the developer, obviously they couldn't fit it back into the development (unless they wanted to rezone and ask for a whole bunch more density, something that obviously wouldn't fly on this site). If they city were smart they would have put a bowling alley into the discussion of the Arbutus Village redevelopment (maybe they did? Anyone know when those plans will be public?) and then this proposal could have just been about the extra height.

whatnext · #34 Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 10:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlousa

The 5 storey proposal was turned down, as the developer failed to properly address the community (DPB's words), it was approved for 4 storeys though.

LOL, if the developer addressed the community it wouldn't be going ahead period. I'm sure they'll be thrilled to be getting another generic 4 story condoclone in exchange for the bowling alley and theatre.

wrenegade · #35 Posted **Oct 25, 2012, 6:00 PM**

Interesting to see Cressey has already started pre-marketing. http://www.arbutusridgeliving.com/index.html

They are going to need to re-do some renderings I think. Regardless of whether it's 4 or 5 storeys though I think it is an interesting looking building. Definitely a big step from from a lot of the C-2 stuff out there (I suppose it makes it easier to afford to do that in this area though).

officedweller · #36 Posted **Oct 25, 2012, 8:29 PM**

Looks a bit retro, but in a disposable sense. i.e. like many of the 60s buildings that have been demolished, rather than the ones being preserved.

whatnext · #37 Posted **Oct 25, 2012, 11:28 PM**

Why even bother with the sign? Do they think that some pointless homage to something they were responsible for destroying is going to endear them to the neighbours?

officedweller · #38 Posted **Oct 26, 2012, 11:27 AM**

This is the only image linkable from the website:

http://www.arbutusridgeliving.com/design.html

Jebby · #39 Posted **Oct 26, 2012, 1:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

This is the only image linkable from the website:

http://www.arbutusridgeliving.com/design.html

SpongeG · #40 Posted **Oct 26, 2012, 4:34 PM**

looks like a 60's motel