Downtown Vancouver Updates

[officedweller]

Lobby pic of the Manulife Building:


http://endallelliot.com/endall_elliot_site_v3/2_mf-lobby.html

[huenthar]

Originally Posted by Architype

Robson & Granville seems very appropriate for that site, it has a feel of familiarity without seeming too banal.

Nuh-uh. That building looks appropriate for a ho-hum random corner on a back street in Yaletown or Central Broadway. The corner of Robson & Granville should have lights, audacity, a bit of guady commercial flair...

It's such a prominent corner, but this design doesn't even measure up to the Chapters podium next door. A pseudo-arcade at street level with recessed balconies right above? Just doesn't cut it. This building is way too "private" for such a public location...

[officedweller]

Here's the nighttime render:


http://www.mcmparchitects.com/portfolio/93

[Metro-One]

Some signage would be nice. The corner could be a good spot for a vertical sign.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by huenthar

It's such a prominent corner, but this design doesn't even measure up to the Chapters podium next door. A pseudo-arcade at street level with recessed balconies right above? Just doesn't cut it. This building is way too "private" for such a public location...

This building is disappointing on many levels. But the most inexplicable aspect of the design is the arcade (i.e., recessed alcove) along Granville Street. It breaks up a flush retail street wall; it creates a darkened blind spot; and it provides an irresistable spot for street kids to camp out in (or weekend yahoos to urinate in).

And for no reason at all.

These are some of the widest sidewalks in the city. Why on earth would you unnecessarily forfeit valuable retail square footage (and greater retail visibility) to create a less attractive, less functional form?

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

This building is disappointing on many levels. But the most inexplicable aspect of the design is the arcade (i.e., recessed alcove) along Granville Street. It breaks up a flush retail street wall; it creates a darkened blind spot; and it provides an irresistable spot for street kids to camp out in (or weekend yahoos to urinate in).

And for no reason at all.

These are some of the widest sidewalks in the city. Why on earth would you unnecessarily forfeit valuable retail square footage (and greater retail visibility) to create a less attractive, less functional form?

The arcade is probably to provide sheltered cafe/restaurant table space that does not encroach on the (already wide) sidewalk - like the Lennox across the street and Cinema down the block. If the arcade is partitioned off with a fence for a patio and open at nighttime the urination / loitering issue shouldn't be a problem.


http://www.retail-insider.com/2012/09/old-navy-signs-lease-for-downtown.html

[dreambrother808]

Rogers Arena tower progress.


My Flickr

[officedweller]

Nice, thanks!

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Some signage would be nice. The corner could be a good spot for a vertical sign.

haha Metro!! You and your signage, and lighting effects, and giant TV screens ....

But seriously, I agree with you totally. This one is dark and austere, in a city with dark and austere skies much of the year. Some snazzing up with lighting and maybe, as you say, as big vertical sign to harmonize with the Granville theme would be more upbeat. This one makes me think of Olof Palme's Tomb (if there is such a thing)

[dreambrother808]

And so it begins...


My Flickr

Judging by the panes of dark glass that have previously been replaced in the tower, I think the end result is going to be pretty close in terms of colour.

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Some signage would be nice. The corner could be a good spot for a vertical sign.

Do people really think there will be no signage? This is a render, not intended to indicate who the tenants will be, and therefore no signage.

[jlousa]

Signage can't be on the renders as signage must be approved seperately, like the above post mentioned...do not think there won't be signage installed on this building, there will almost certainly be.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Signage can't be on the renders as signage must be approved seperately...

What a weird thing to say. Just because signage is approved seperately doesn't meant an artist can't depict signage in renders. Indeed, we often see generic/fantasy/actual signage depicted in renders of new projects.

[jlousa]

Signage is not allowed to be in the renders as the DPB approves the building on it's own merits, since the signage is approved after the fact it can't be on the renders. Signage is bound to change over the course of the building hence why it's a separate matter, the building itself is destined to last longer and needs to be judged on it's own.
You sometimes see generic placeholder signage on initial renders as they work thru the system but they are usually told to be removed during the processing.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Signage is not allowed to be in the renders as the DPB approves the building on it's own merits...

I am not talking about the renders that are submitted as part of the formal approval process. I am referring to the multitude of stylish renders that projects often create for public consumption. There is nothing to preclude such renders from depicting signage. Indeed, they often do depict signage and other fanciful elements.

[LeftCoaster]

Stylish renders are often publicly released for condo projects which are intended for mass consumption but commercial properties often only publicly release renders early on for zoning/approval processes.

More stylish sales document renders are circulated within the community among brokers and tenants and we see them when they leak their way out.

[officedweller]

Lousy pic by me today:



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Architype]

Originally Posted by huenthar

Nuh-uh. That building looks appropriate for a ho-hum random corner on a back street in Yaletown or Central Broadway. The corner of Robson & Granville should have lights, audacity, a bit of guady commercial flair...

It's such a prominent corner, but this design doesn't even measure up to the Chapters podium next door. A pseudo-arcade at street level with recessed balconies right above? Just doesn't cut it. This building is way too "private" for such a public location...

I was describing what I perceived as a relatively "low-keyed" unassuming buuilding which fits in. It looks like a Vancouver building, it could fit in almost anywhere in the city, although (on second thought) not iconic or high profile in the way you might like for that site.

[officedweller]

Yeah, but name ANY corner where THE CITY would allow a building with
"lights, audacity, a bit of guady commercial flair...".

You'd never get that from a design by committee.
Imagine if the Province had submitted the Northern Lights display @ BC Place as a proposal to the City?

[Architype]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Imagine if the Province had submitted the Northern Lights display @ BC Place as a proposal to the City?

Those lights are among my favourite things in the city!