Downtown Vancouver Updates

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

I don't think people are grasping the nature of this neighbourhood. The scale is perfectly in line with that its surroundings. Think of the BCIT building just up Seymour. This proposal may be a block or so over from the future Credit Suisse tower but in between there is a major transition area. To the east, Pender and Richards is little more than social housing. This is a huge step in the right direction.

You are not grasping the nature of this neighbourhood.

The corner of Seymour and Pender is well-within the commercial heart of downtown. Granville Station is one block directly to the south; Waterfront Station (the central transportation hub for Metro Vancouver) is two blocks directly to the north. The area is bounded by numerous tall commercial office buildings on all sides. Harbour Centre, for example, lies one block to the north; Scotia Bank Tower lies two blocks to the south; the BC Hydro Building lies two blocks to the east; and the official Central Business District begins immediately across the street to the west. Moreover, on the very same corner sits Conference Plaza, a mixed-use tower three times the height of this proposal.

Furthermore, this site sits on the "Central Business District Shoulder." According to city policy:

"The adoption of the Rezoning Policy for the CBD and CBD Shoulder is strategic and it seeks to increase the potential for commercial capacity by guiding rezonings for non-residential buildings to reach heights and densities up to the view cones, thereby improving the climate for new office development. Rezoning of the remaining, viable commercially zoned sites in the CBD to maximize their job space potential is fundamental to Council’s objective..." (p.6)

http://former.vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20120918/documents/p2.pdf

The developer's choice of height may be limited by a number of factors, including economics, current zoning, view cones, site size, developer expertise, etc. But to claim that "the nature of this neighbourhood" is inconsistent with a substantially taller building is clearly inaccurate.

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

You are not grasping the nature of this neighbourhood.

I live in this neighbourhood. I grasp its nature quite clearly.

Were a taller building proposed I would not be complaining, but I do understand current realities and don't feel the need to make a fuss every time they don't live up to my preconceived notions.

[Klazu]

Crane went up on 1401 Comox on Tuesday:

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

I grasp its nature quite clearly.

Clearly, you don't. There may be many legitimate factors limiting the height of the proposal to only nine floors, but the character of the neighbourhood is not one them.

[dreambrother808]

You would like a taller building. I think that the proposal is acceptable.

End of story. Not an interesting conversation.

Have a good day.

[Klazu]

Artemisia yesterday:

[entheosfog]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

Hopefully this goes through. That corner currently looks like —.

These two buildings don't look too bad though:
http://goo.gl/maps/tj2v4
The corner building only looks like — because it's been vacant for some time now.
I'd rather see this one go:
http://goo.gl/maps/OvDKv

[dreambrother808]

Those two buildings don't look as bad, true, but there's nothing special that will be lost. Perhaps some "sensual massage" clients will be upset.

The parkade is somewhat worse, other than the fact that it is utilized, unlike its kitty-corner.

I imagine there are some long range plans for that as well though.

[officedweller]

Pics by me today:

Those are small glass louvres over some of the windows - don't know what they do other than provide pigeon roosts.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Prometheus]

Thank you for the update.

I think it could use a little more spandrel facing Granville.

[rsxstock]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Pics by me today:

Those are small glass louvres over some of the windows - don't know what they do other than provide pigeon roosts.

they are sun shades. they cast a shadow directly on the window in the summer when the sun angle is high without affecting street level. and yes it is possible for birds to stand on and do business

[logan5]

Originally Posted by entheosfog

These two buildings don't look too bad though:
http://goo.gl/maps/tj2v4
The corner building only looks like — because it's been vacant for some time now.
I'd rather see this one go:
http://goo.gl/maps/OvDKv

How old is that building at Seymour and W Pender I wonder. It's a nice looking building, and it surely looks better than the giant glass facade that will replace it.

[VanCityDeveloper]

Originally Posted by logan5

How old is that building at Seymour and W Pender I wonder. It's a nice looking building, and it surely looks better than the giant glass facade that will replace it.

The unfortunate reality for the economics of it all however doesn't really allow for restoration of the existing building. It has been so badly renovated over the years with minimal base building upgrades that the entire building would need to be gutted to exterior walls and re-configured. The sheer cost doesn't make it a feasible investment based on the existing size and floor plate of the building and the achievable rents with a renovation.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by rsxstock

they are sun shades. they cast a shadow directly on the window in the summer when the sun angle is high without affecting street level. and yes it is possible for birds to stand on and do business

Thanks. I was wondering if they were sun shades, but they seem really narrow.

[BodomReaper]

Similar to how Boffo revived James Schouw's Artemisia project, it looks like they might be reviving his stillborn Thalia project as well. From this update on Artemisia:

And if downtown Vancouver suits your lifestyle, make sure you keep your eyes and ears peeled for news about Boffo’s new iconic highrise at Smithe and Cambie launching within the next year.

A reminder of what the proposal looked like, from the project's defunct Twitter page:

[rsxstock]

Originally Posted by BodomReaper

Similar to how Boffo revived James Schouw's Artemisia project, it looks like they might be reviving his stillborn Thalia project as well. From this update on Artemisia:



A reminder of what the proposal looked like, from the project's defunct Twitter page:

has the shape of a church

[SKYSTHELIMIT]

Originally Posted by rsxstock

has the shape of a church

I'm praying it doesn't get built.

[easy as pie]

Originally Posted by BodomReaper

A reminder of what the proposal looked like, from the project's defunct Twitter page:

you'd have to go to baku or iraqi kurdistan or salt lake city to find another building so flamboyantly ugly. has the garish pastiche qualities that will literally cause headaches when seen by sensitive types, germans, architects, etc.

eta: baku, mosul, salt lake OR down the block at artemesia.

[Canadian Mind]

I kind of like the design. It's edgy (litterally) and if nothing else is something different.

[ckkelley]

I don't mind it. It isn't your standard Vancouver fare, that's for sure.