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

[uzi]

the podium thing is a creative piece of architecture. love it.

[djh]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Back to substantive stuff:

Pics of the new model from the B+B Models Facebook website:


And check out the elevated walkway down the middle of Granville Bridge...




All pics from:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/BB-Scale-Models-Ltd/479688032047104

Whoa whoa whoa...

Is this actually happening? I know that in developer's models they often include outlines of other proposals that are going through city hall to give context to their own project. So I wonder if this "walkway down the middle of Granville Bridge" is real? Perhaps it's some public amenity that the city requested?
Anybody actually know the facts on this? It's a bit extreme to put a fantasy in an accurate model of a future development, so there must be a story behind this.

[Vin]

Wow! For a city set in a rainforest, it really makes sense to have a covered shopping area under the bridge. This place would be packed, especially during bad weather seasons, and there could even be street activities!

Is it official that the centre strip of Granville bridge will be converted into a pedestrian mall/bike lanes in the future? I think motorists will cry foul over this! There should be at least a bus or HOV lane kept separate from another lane, but I only see one lane per direction close to the end of the bridge.

[jlousa]

Vision is pushing for it to become a reality. I don't think it's at a stage of being built anytime soon though. But they've certainly shown they can move quick on projects they deem important to their "Vision".

[madog222]

Originally Posted by Vin

Wow! I only see one lane per direction close to the end of the bridge.

CoV plans posted in the Bike/Pedestrian thread show that the middle lane will exit onto both Granville St. and Seymour St. giving two lanes for each. Only one lane of Granville St. going onto the bridge like in the model.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Is that suppose to be granite roads and sidewalk? The bridge columns appear to be treated with something as well. Yeah, I hope it turns out like the model.

[WarrenC12]

Guys... the proposed lane makes the development look better, that's why it's in the model.

[uzi]

the podium thing looks like a piece of creativity.

[Vancity]

very exciting news on this project. when does it get off the ground?

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

That's a nice looking model. Too bad the reality of being under the Granville St bridge is a little different...

There no reason to think that the north side can't be as pedestrian friendly as the south side near Granville Island, albeit a bit more "enclosed" with the podium buildings.

Originally Posted by djh

Whoa whoa whoa...

Is this actually happening? I know that in developer's models they often include outlines of other proposals that are going through city hall to give context to their own project. So I wonder if this "walkway down the middle of Granville Bridge" is real? Perhaps it's some public amenity that the city requested?
Anybody actually know the facts on this? It's a bit extreme to put a fantasy in an accurate model of a future development, so there must be a story behind this.

See the pedestrian thread - I quoted the feasibility study RFP from back in 2012.
The fact that it's in the model suggests that the City asked for it to be included and it either will be happening or is at least still on the radar.

Originally Posted by Vin

...

Is it official that the centre strip of Granville bridge will be converted into a pedestrian mall/bike lanes in the future? I think motorists will cry foul over this! There should be at least a bus or HOV lane kept separate from another lane, but I only see one lane per direction close to the end of the bridge.

The one lane part is to and from Granville Street itself (currently 2 lanes each way). 2 lanes would continue to and from each of the Seymour and Howe ramps (the major access points), so that there would still be 6 lanes total on the main span.

[giallo]

With the new model and ground-level amenities, this is has become the most interesting project in Vancouver by a long shot.

[officedweller]

Yeah, it's like development of a "precinct", but without the overwhelming scope that was the Olympic Village.

I just wonder whether the curtan wall (with all its corners and joints) will hold up to the wind driven rain off English Bay (recall that even nearby 888 Beach had to be reclad).

[dleung]

Off topic, but I'm totally against putting the pedestrian boulevard in the center of the bridge. Should've been along the sides (preferably the west side) where pedestrians can actually enjoy the view, instead of being flanked by speeding traffic.

[Vantage]

Originally Posted by dleung

Off topic, but I'm totally against putting the pedestrian boulevard in the center of the bridge. Should've been along the sides (preferably the west side) where pedestrians can actually enjoy the view, instead of being flanked by speeding traffic.

AMEN! I was thinking exactly the same thing.

[madog222]

Originally Posted by dleung

Off topic, but I'm totally against putting the pedestrian boulevard in the center of the bridge. Should've been along the sides (preferably the west side) where pedestrians can actually enjoy the view, instead of being flanked by speeding traffic.

Hopefully they go with the raised platform option, most traffic would be under knee level with the 1.5m maximum platform height listed in the CoV documents.

[Vin]

Thanks guys regarding the info on the pedestrain/bike strip on the bridge. Good thing that this project is already approved, otherwise the model depiction would only serve to open a can of worms with a whole new group of naysayers (although it has nothing to do with the development per se).

Didn't the City propose a walking span under the bridge years ago? At least pedestrians or cyclists would have clear views of the sceneries and not bothered by the speeding traffic flanking them. Eeven better if there are spans along both sides of the bridge below the actual deck. Anyway, think I am diverting from topic.

Can't wait for this project to break ground and be completed!

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by dleung

Off topic, but I'm totally against putting the pedestrian boulevard in the center of the bridge. Should've been along the sides (preferably the west side) where pedestrians can actually enjoy the view, instead of being flanked by speeding traffic.

That's not viable because of the on-ramps and off-ramps which carry the bulk of traffic on the downtown side of the bridge (ie. 2 lanes needed)

[wrenegade]

Originally Posted by officedweller

And check out the elevated walkway down the middle of Granville Bridge...

Does Gillespie know something we don't? Is the Granville bridge bike lane already a done deal?

[Thousands Wouldn't]

Wrenegade asks the Multi-million dollar question....

Does Gillespie know something we don't? Is the Granville bridge bike lane already a done deal?

The bridge is beautiful but at the end of the day that is two less lanes for cars and buses on the Granville Bridge.

[djh]

Originally Posted by wrenegade

Does Gillespie know something we don't? Is the Granville bridge bike lane already a done deal?

Sigh.