Vancouver Infill & Lowrise Updates Discussion

[Vin]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Definitely a daring design, especially to build on spec.

I think it is easier for someone to build a house that looks daring than a highrise building in this city when it comes to application approvals. However, just like anything else, there are always unreasonable NIMBY neighbours who oppose to something unique (perhaps jealous that their own place is rundown?), citing that it wouldn't fit in the 'traditional' neighbourhood or that it is 'out of place'. Thus residential neighbourhoods everywhere in the city lack architecturally striking structures, with new houses looking like cheap productions of those built early 20th century. So I'm quite surprised that this actually got completed.

[dleung]

Surprised that something as personal as a custom single-family home, can be built on spec... kinda defeats the purpose of custom design imo. Encouraging still, to see.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by whatnext

I was thrown for a minute thinking this was multifamily, as the sign out front directed passersby to register at their website. It's single family though, http://www.135east17th.com/ if you are moved to buy!

Wow!
Thanks for posting!

[LeftCoaster]

Not sure if this one's already been posted but a low rise development on Kingsway at Earles. If I recall correctly this one as originally envisioned as a commercial development but has been redesigned to res with retail at grade.

38 secured market rental units;
a building height of 19.81 m (65 ft.);
a floor space ratio (FSR) of 3.91;
commercial retail uses at grade; and
22 underground parking spaces.

http://former.vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/2768kingsway/index.htm

[jlousa]

The first proposal was under C2 zoning so it would've been only 4flrs and 2.5FSR. Didn't make much sense as there isn't the demand for office space there as seen by the empty building one block over. Glad they decided to take advantage of the additional density proposed in the Norquay plan on this proposal although I still don't like this proposal. And it's located at Kingsway and Earles, not Hastings and Earles.

[LeftCoaster]

Haha whoops, I don't even think there is a Hastings and Earles is there?

I don't think it is the most handsome looking project, and CRU#1 is almost unleasable with that stairwell cutting right through it, but the FSR is right where it should be and those north facing units will have some great views, for a few years at least.

[osirisboy]

Is there anything planned across the street where purdys is? Didn't purdys close

[jlousa]

Purdy's is still open and going strong, they did buy additional industrial property within Vancouver so perhaps a move is planned later. It's zoned as one of the 2 special sites in Norquay which will allow up to 14flrs just like the Canadian Tire site. Don't expect it to move forward in the short term though.

[makr3trkr]

www.vancouversun.com/news/West+mansion+demolished/9793853/story.html



A demolition permit has been issued for one of the three old mansions left in the West End.

Legg House has been standing at 1245 Harwood since 1899, when Vancouver was only 13 years old and had about 25,000 residents. It is a Heritage A building, the highest ranking on Vancouver’s heritage register.

Bing Thom Architects submitted a revised plan which retains the tree but involves the demolition of the house. It was approved, and will see a 17-storey tower go up at the back of the lot.

===================================

I don't think this city is going to let a few heritage houses get in the way of progress.

[spm2013]

At least the tree is saved

[Klazu]

I hate the idea of tearing down heritage buildings, but this mansion doesn't look that special to me. I realize it's old, but that's about it. Great thing that they will keep the huge tree, but shame that the tower likely be another Alexandra...

Anyone know what's the deal with that beautiful mansion along Davie Street? Demolishing that would be terrible, but I wonder how the building is all closed with fences? What's the story behind it?

[spm2013]

Originally Posted by Klazu

I hate the idea of tearing down heritage buildings, but this mansion doesn't look that special to me. I realize it's old, but that's about it. Great thing that they will keep the huge tree, but shame that the tower likely be another Alexandra...

Anyone know what's the deal with that beautiful mansion along Davie Street? Demolishing that would be terrible, but I wonder how the building is all closed with fences? What's the story behind it?

The Gabriola Mansion? Wasn't this still owned by Hy's?

[djh]

Originally Posted by Klazu

I hate the idea of tearing down heritage buildings, but this mansion doesn't look that special to me. I realize it's old, but that's about it. Great thing that they will keep the huge tree, but shame that the tower likely be another Alexandra...

Anyone know what's the deal with that beautiful mansion along Davie Street? Demolishing that would be terrible, but I wonder how the building is all closed with fences? What's the story behind it?

That's a big reason why we need a heritage roster. Today we look at a building and think it looks ugly. A decade from now we look back at that same building and it's suddenly a classic of its style. So we have to avoid removing things based on subjective opinions that change over the long time.

Having said that, there are really some (IMHO) "ugly" buildings on the roster that I wouldn't mind seeing go, but I bite my tongue and say there's some value in there somewhere...

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Klazu

I hate the idea of tearing down heritage buildings, but this mansion doesn't look that special to me. I realize it's old, but that's about it. Great thing that they will keep the huge tree, but shame that the tower likely be another Alexandra...

Anyone know what's the deal with that beautiful mansion along Davie Street? Demolishing that would be terrible, but I wonder how the building is all closed with fences? What's the story behind it?

It has been altered, but it is on the city's A list of heritage buildings. That they would let it be demolished in favour of a tree is mind boggling.

Part of what makes a building worthy of note is the story it tells. This started life as a mansion for the city's elite and then suffered conversion into a rooming house/apartment as the wealthy left the West End and the area declined. Now it looks like a mellow survivor in a gentrifying time.

Unfortunately the Vision council couldnt leave it at that and let the story continue to unfold. Instead we will now have another patented bore-o-rama midrise tower. And the stupid tree will probably succumb to disease in a couple decades. Pathetic.

[logan5]

This is all the trees fault.

Didn't the neighbourhood choose the tree over the house?

EDIT -- I was wrong, but...

Brian Jackson, the City Planner, says it was what the neighbourhood wanted:

It’s frustrating because there was a proposal to save both, and that was turned back because the neighbourhood complained about the height of the resulting building,” Jackson said.

[officedweller]

Sort of. The neighbours chose the tree - but it's not the neighbours who are now complaining about the house being demolished.

Price Tags said that the initial proposal by the developer preserved BOTH the house and the tree - but it was too close to, too tall or blocked too many neighbours views - so they complained.
2nd proposal was to chop down the tree and keep the house. People protested.
3rd (present and approved) proposal was to tear down the house and preserve the tree. People now protesting, again.

http://pricetags.wordpress.com/2014/05/2...ow-much-do-people-really-value-heritage/

[logan5]

Was just looking at that.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by whatnext

It has been altered, but it is on the city's A list of heritage buildings. That they would let it be demolished in favour of a tree is mind boggling.

Part of what makes a building worthy of note is the story it tells. This started life as a mansion for the city's elite and then suffered conversion into a rooming house/apartment as the wealthy left the West End and the area declined. Now it looks like a mellow survivor in a gentrifying time.

Unfortunately the Vision council couldnt leave it at that and let the story continue to unfold. Instead we will now have another patented bore-o-rama midrise tower. And the stupid tree will probably succumb to disease in a couple decades. Pathetic.

They're planning to tear down the stone mansion on Davie for a mid-rise? Is that it? —.

[Jebby]

What does any of this have to do with the Arbutus Corridor??

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Jebby

What does any of this have to do with the Arbutus Corridor??

Good point. Maybe the mods can move it over to General Vancouver Infill.