Cambie Corridor Updates

[squeezied]

Originally Posted by connect2source

The Building Elevation Drawings in the Development Application look a lot more interesting, the materials, glazing and surfaces look fairly innovative.. a curve in a road doesn't always need to be mimicked by the shape of the buildings, that's been done far too often in Metro Vancouver with less than spectacular results.

After taking another look, I'll admit that the design isn't all that bad. I would be somewhat content if these buildings were in a different site. But this development does not reflect or appreciate the uniqueness of the site. It just looks like the architect is cheapening out by trying to fit two rectangular boxes in this site. They could have at least "stepped" the building.

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by squeezied

After taking another look, I'll admit that the design isn't all that bad. I would be somewhat content if these buildings were in a different site. But this development does not reflect or appreciate the uniqueness of the site. It just looks like the architect is cheapening out by trying to fit two rectangular boxes in this site. They could have at least "stepped" the building.

Generally I agree that the Cambie corridor show be a 'showcase' of outstanding architectural design and not just another opportunity for developers to build mediocre 'infill'.

Cambie was and is an outstandingly beautiful and unique street unlike anything in Vancouver and over the years great efforts have been taken to preserve the Cambie Heritage Boulevard aspect, those same efforts show be taken to ensure developments are exceptional.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

While it is great to see Cambie becoming more urban, part of me is also sad.

Many of the properties along Cambie are actually very well maintained with great landscaping and gardens.

I would be sooooooo much happier if it were instead Marine Way or Main street being redeveloped like this, which are both full of god awful ugly properties with little or no gardening / landscaping.

Yep. Instead of stringing a wall of condos along Cambie, the city blew an opportunty to develop walkable nodes. For example, the block between King Ed and 33rd between Cambie and Oak already is home to a lot of health institutional employment. They could have developed this into a new neighbourhood and lost the same amount of SFHs. Similarly, the area behind Oakridge already has a lot of multifamily, it could have been added to.

Instead were going to have a long ribbon of monotony strung along Cambie.

[Vin]

That's why at times I really dislike all these community plans and bylaws shaped way back in the past. Their words are etched in stone way deeper than Moses's 10 Commandments. But I think questioning the wisdom of some of these 'plans' is very healthy, and that they should allow room for alterations and improvements.

Personally, I don't mind the 4-6 storied condos that are destined to be built along Cambie, but I see no rationale why they all have to be just residential, and why more can't be built behind them and beyond, ie. to densify the entire neighbourhoods and not just along Cambie.

[officedweller]

Strangely, there's a 906 sq ft commercial (café) space in the courtyard. The floorplans show café tables.

I think my complaint about the design is that it's not set back from the corner to ease into the park entrance. That could have been done if the open space were at the corner instead of at the courtyard. And it also looks like the developer is shoehorning two rectangular blocks onto an irregular site.

[officedweller]

Two more Cambie corridor projects:


http://www.vancouvermarket.ca/2014/11/05/48-unit-building-planned-for-cambie-near-37th/


http://www.vancouvermarket.ca/2014/11/05/48-unit-building-planned-for-cambie-near-37th/

******


http://www.vancouvermarket.ca/2014/11/05/another-yes-another-cambie-development-proposal/


http://www.vancouvermarket.ca/2014/11/05/another-yes-another-cambie-development-proposal/

[squeezied]

Thanks,

Here are the links to the proposals, both of which are from GBL:
http://former.vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/5355-5387cambiest/index.htm

http://former.vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/467-495wkingedward/index.htm

While I'm still not fond of GBL's architecture, these are a little more refined and less tacky than their earlier proposals.

[BodomReaper]

Originally Posted by squeezied

Thanks,

Here are the links to the proposals, both of which are from GBL:
http://former.vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/5355-5387cambiest/index.htm

http://former.vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/467-495wkingedward/index.htm

While I'm still not fond of GBL's architecture, these are a little more refined and less tacky than their earlier proposals.

And GBL's near-stranglehold on Cambie Corridor midrises continues. I don't think this is healthy for the city - even Concord drew on 4-5 architectural firms more or less evenly for the Expo Lands (though stringent design regulations precluded that from producing any variety.)

I actually quite liked the first few designs with the bold white banding and framing, these feel a bit uninspired.

[Jebby]

I just wish the one on King Ed a block from Cambie had some sort of street level commercial.

[SpongeG]

but that takes away from the retail concentration further down the street, having people live close enough will bring more life with people walking down there to do some shopping dining etc. i imagine with time the low rises with big lawn setbacks along cambie will get replaced and have retail filling in the from 12th to king ed

[squeezied]

Apparently this project is at the northeast corner of Cambie and 41st Avenue: http://www.cmbay.ca/project-oakridge.php

Is it me or is this one of the most hideous proposals out there?

Glide into timeless style and comfort in these masterfully designed homes by Vancouver based award-winning IBI Group Architects.

There is nothing timeless about the architecture, just a mishmash of tacky blocks and blank walls. This is one of the most ostentatious designs out there. This will age as good as the groovy style did back in the '70s. What happened to classy, simple, clean, uncluttered and refined design? I can't believe this is from IBI.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by squeezied

Apparently this project is at the northeast corner of Cambie and 41st Avenue: http://www.cmbay.ca/project-oakridge.php

Is it me or is this one of the most hideous proposals out there?



There is nothing timeless about the architecture, just a mishmash of tacky blocks and blank walls. This is one of the most ostentatious designs out there. This will age as good as the groovy style did back in the '70s. What happened to classy, simple, clean, uncluttered and refined design? I can't believe this is from IBI.

Oh look, asymmetrical boxes. How 2013. I see their hoarding is already up

I noticed a development board in front of one of the old apartments on Cambie at 13th. Anyone have the details?

[logan5]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

but that takes away from the retail concentration further down the street, having people live close enough will bring more life with people walking down there to do some shopping dining etc. i imagine with time the low rises with big lawn setbacks along cambie will get replaced and have retail filling in the from 12th to king ed

The Cabie Corridor plan indicated that there would be no development happening where those walk-ups are, which is fine with me. There are some older retail units between 12th and 16th which attract interesting small businesses, but the real killer for that stretch is the low rise apartment building that has 2 continuous blocks of generic retail. It's an absolute dead zone. Even if you let the business have its own awning and paint the mullions a different colour, it would be a huge improvement.

[squeezied]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Oh look, asymmetrical boxes. How 2013. I see their hoarding is already up

So do you think it will age well?

[Klazu]

Aperture nearby Oakridge. I quite like the architecture.

http://www.apertureliving.com

[Jebby]

Well at least it's not boring.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by squeezied

So do you think it will age well?

No. Just like that seafoam green and terracotta look from the nineties, it will date pretty quickly.

[officedweller]

This one looks to have removed the pomo elements (and added solar panels to the south building roof?)-
and looks better than was presented in the elevations to the DPB:

@ Cambie & Midlothian Way


http://www.parcelise.com/residences/

[SFUVancouver]

There are some quality projects in the pipeline for the Cambie Corridor. In fact, I think that the direction the corridor is taking in its development is spot-on and helpful to the long-term accommodation of residential growth in the city. The scale of many of these buildings, setting aside the outliers of Oakridge and the Marine Drive station precinct, is reminiscent of the Arbutus Lands (O'Keefe brewery development just west of Arbutus between 10th and 12th) and I think that's one of the city's most successful development projects.

[officedweller]

and maybe in time - perhaps a long time - the projects will fan out into the surrounding areas.

i.e. I could see more midrises along Midlothian Way towards Hillcrest Community Centre and "merging" with the Little Mountain project area.