CF Pacific Centre Developments - Page 89

connect2source · #**1761** Posted **Oct 17, 2014, 4:24 AM**

Yes, Eaton's kept the building spotless, part of the hatred of the Sears version was the appalling condition, always filthy and the roof was a mess.

Agree NewWester, the original building wasn't the most pedestrian friendly, the new version will be better in that respect, otherwise the original Eaton's was still visually far superior IMO.

osirisboy · #**1762** Posted **Oct 17, 2014, 12:14 PM**

the original one looked like a big warehouse. I don't think it looked good at all. The new one does look a bit busy but a lot of that might be due to the fact it's still under construction.

VanCvl · #**1763** Posted **Oct 17, 2014, 3:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by connect2source

I tend to agree that is building is looking rather messy and ad-hoc as it nears completion. Besides what's been discussed, it doesn't blend, in any way with the TD Tower or Cesar Pelli's original vision or design. As much as the Sears version was hated, in it's original, 5 storey Eaton's form, it was rather striking, monolithic and beautiful. The TD Tower was a vertical black slab and Eaton's, a horizontal white slab. They complimented each other beautifully and it was a bold and powerful design in it's day.

Photo : The Vancouver Sun

TD Tower and Eaton's complimented each other from a perspective 1000 feet away. The pedestrian experience was terrible. The Nordstrom version only does a slightly better version to engage the street and break up the monolithic wall.

trofirhen · #**1764** Posted **Oct 17, 2014, 3:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewWester

I get what you are saying about the iconic nature of the more monolithic form. But I feel like the current design, while messier, makes for a more pleasant street experience. It feels less imposing, which from a design perspective is less interesting sure, but also much more pleasant to be around and experience as a pedestrian. Or at least I think so.

May I agree? I think the pedestrian experience, plus (as I've overstated, sorry), the reflectivity of the building will make the surrounding "vibes" a lot more enjoyable and less forbidding than the original white building.

officedweller · #**1765** Posted **Oct 17, 2014, 9:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

the tan is nordstroms signature colour

And they were likely forced into the vertical tiles (rather than the horizontal ones being installed at their other Canadian stores) by the narrow vertical windows on the office portion.

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The street experience wasn't that bad in the Eaton's version.

The Robson & Howe and the Granville & Robson entrances we not on the corners, and each entrance alcove had big display windows that you needed to walk past to get to the entrance.

In addition, the slit windows along the facade were still intact as display windows.

The breezeway between TD Tower and Eatons was open to the street, so no one had to walk past the ramps to get to the store entrance, and you could cut across the block (this was later replaced with a small entrance on the corner).

With the Nordstrom version, both Howe St. entrances have been eliminated - adjacent to TD Tower, and mid-block along Howe (which was always the exit at "closing time").

The Granville side at the emergency exits was probably the worst side, but there were display windows there - the long slit and in the alcove behind the bus stop.

************

It'll be interesting to see how the new VAG design avoids blank walls or pedestrian dead space. It seems that continuous streetfront retail or continuous streetfront glazing runs counter to sculptural [perhaps monolithic] building designs.

EdinVan · #**1766** Posted **Oct 20, 2014, 5:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by connect2source

Is the building dirty here, or is it just an artifact of the photo?

EdinVan · #**1767** Posted **Oct 20, 2014, 5:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by connect2source

The Nordstom rendition is trendy and poor executed. In some ways similar to Telus Gardens but far less successful. It now clashes terribly with the TD Tower mostly due to the blue glazing.

I suspect--much to my horror--that Cadillac Fairview will reglaze the TD Tower to match the Nordstrom building (and every other dull building in this dull city).

trofirhen · #**1768** Posted **Oct 20, 2014, 6:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdinVan

I suspect--much to my horror--that Cadillac Fairview will reglaze the TD Tower to match the Nordstrom building (and every other dull building in this dull city).

Really? What color would they use, do you think?

red-paladin · #**1769** Posted **Oct 20, 2014, 8:09 AM**

Yeah

that's not going to happen.

nickbeaulieu · #**1770** Posted **Oct 20, 2014, 4:34 PM**

Ya, no way in hell they'd spend the money on reglazing the TD tower just for aesthetic reasons.

LeftCoaster · #**1771** Posted **Oct 20, 2014, 5:26 PM**

Sometimes I really wonder about this forum.

No the TD tower will not be reclad to match this new, separate development. They were never clad in the same material in the first place so I can't imagine what the rationale for that would be. Not to mention TD would not be very pleased if their signature black tower was relcad.

officedweller · #**1772** Posted **Oct 20, 2014, 8:26 PM**

Cadillac is also in the process of upgrading all of the Pacific Centre towers - so if it isn't on the table now - it won't be for a long time.

Royal Bank Tower was reclad a few years ago to install double pane windows (TD Tower still has single pane) but installed the same tinted glass (the City almost forced them to reclad in clear glass (like HBC Centre in Toronto) but that would have strained the HVAC systems (like the One Wall Centre switch).

officedweller · #**1773** Posted **Oct 24, 2014, 8:35 PM**

Nice panorama shot by VanCityHotshots here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/blazinred/15425089759/

officedweller · #**1774** Posted **Oct 26, 2014, 11:48 PM**

Pics by me today:

officedweller · #**1775** Posted **Oct 28, 2014, 10:20 PM**

Pic by me yesterday - the next level of glass is finally being installed:

Noticed awning prongs being installed along Granville today.

officedweller · #**1776** Posted **Oct 29, 2014, 10:39 PM**

Pics by me today:

Prometheus · #**1777** Posted **Oct 29, 2014, 10:55 PM**

Thanks for all the updates.

nickbeaulieu · #**1778** Posted **Oct 29, 2014, 11:43 PM**

Wow, the view from the sidewalk really looks like the building is just all over the place. Sad. I thought this would've been a good looking building.

Glass, Steel grating, beige Marble, fins... good god.

connect2source · #**1779** Posted **Oct 29, 2014, 11:52 PM**

The awnings look rather 'standard fare' and uninspiring. A bit of a wasted opportunity for making the Granville Street side spectacular and innovative.

I much prefer the canopy at 1025 Robson, which won a 2014 Urban Design Award a few weeks ago.

Photo : Vancitybuzz
http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...psefbd8a4a.jpg

trofirhen · #**1780** Posted **Oct 29, 2014, 11:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickbeaulieu

Wow, the view from the sidewalk really looks like the building is just all over the place. Sad. I thought this would've been a good looking building.

Glass, Steel grating, beige Marble, fins... good god.

I'm hoping that it will look more cohesive when finished. Being under construction adds to that "messy" look, but I know what you mean.
As for the fins, I think they're part of the standard glass rain canopies on many new Vancouver buildings these days, or so it seems. Hope so, anyway.