Downtown Vancouver Updates

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Looks like the city is going ahead with the park at Smithe and Richards...

I have said it before: that is an inappropriate location for a park. The backside of the building across the alley is quite unsightly and was CLEARLY designed with the assumption that another building would be built on this site to cover it up. The city's obsession with building a park in this illogical location is mystifying. Building a tower to provide some cover for the gnarly backside of 889 Homer (as well as the back alley power lines) would do way more for public health and well-being than another park.

Just a reminder of what we are talking about: https://www.google.ca/maps/myplaces?hl=e...NqpKX-h_osMYpJPhmw&cbp=12,85.91,,0,-8.44

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by officedweller

I'm hoping they build up the site along the alley so that it's fairly level (instead of sloping down towards the alley) - and the loading areas of the 889 Homer Bing Thom designed building can be screened with trees.

Let's hope.

[Klazu]

Yeah, this lot and the other larger one on the opposite side of Richards would be one of the last remaining prime locations to build few 50-60 floor towers to form a second peak to our skyline. I know the viewcones prevent it, but imagine how amazing it would look like! That area could easily take a couple of taller towers that would rise above Capitol Residences and Telus Garden to form a small cluster on the eastern end of Downtown.

Too bad that will likely never happen. A park there will not be that enjoyable, as Smithe is a very loud and heavy traffic street.

[osirisboy]

A park in that location is dumb!!! Wish the city could zone it for lots of density and sell the land.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

I have said it before: that is an inappropriate location for a park. The backside of the building across the alley is quite unsightly and was CLEARLY designed with the assumption that another building would be built on this site to cover it up. The city's obsession with building a park in this illogical location is mystifying. Building a tower to provide some cover for the gnarly backside of 889 Homer (as well as the back alley power lines) would do way more for public health and well-being than another park.

Yup - absolutely agree.
They should do a land swap with the parcel up the block between Dolce and the restaurants on Robson (currently parking lot).

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by officedweller

They should do a land swap with the parcel up the block between Dolce and the restaurants on Robson (currently parking lot).

Yes, a far superior location. But instead of taking up the entire space behind the restaurants, the park should extend no further north than the property line of the building on the south-east corner of Seymour and Robson. Instead, the length of the park should extend east to west across the alley (which would have speed bumps) from Richards to Seymour. And another major tower and podium should be built where the restaurants are with the park in mind.

[Smooth]

If you look on Apple Maps they show that entire area as a park. Maybe they know something we don't?

[Klazu]

Well, everyone knows that Apple Maps is not the most reliable app there is.

[officedweller]

I was thinking that it could span the alley too - that would also create value to the properties fronting Robson - overlooking a park.

[officedweller]

Pics by me today of Neon - on Granville south of the Best Western:

[Klazu]

Slow progress of Neon. It is also surprising how it does not touch the bridge, but leaves a gap between the two. I wonder why?

[Homeowner]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Looks like the city is going ahead with the park at Smithe and Richards, the RFP seems a little predetermined as has been the case with previous RFPS from the city over the last few years.
They are limiting applicants to firms that have designed 3 or more downtown parks worth over $1M. Not going to be a large number of firms that meet that criteria locally... And since the budget of the project is quite low it won't be attracting outside firms either... Why even issue the RFP is the winner is predetermined.

http://former.vancouver.ca/fs/bid/bidopp/RFP/documents/PS20140336-RFP.PDF

That's great news! This park was mentioned several years ago that I pretty much had given up hope that it will be built. A good area for a park with the clusters of condos around that area.

[osirisboy]

Wasn't neon supposed to be built as basically a square. It's now taking the curve in the street so are the plans for redoing the streets with the loops gone not happening now?

[officedweller]

Not sure where the curving driveway goes to.
I think that it will just become a driveway later when the loop is removed,
or the grade will be raised to cover that blank concrete wall next to the crane
and the "street" would be along the alignment of the lane in my last shot.

The retail fronting Granville St./Bridge does meet the sidewalk at the bus stop on Granville.
The building doesn't touch the loop since the loop will come down.

[Locked In]

Finished mini-park at the Lauren - my photo from this morning:


IMG_4309 by 604 City, on Flickr

[osirisboy]

I walked around there yesterday. It's nice. Although I think it a few years that little pathway is going to get overgrown with the ton of plants they've planted. I'd rather just have the building go right up to the sidewalk

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Klazu

Yeah, this lot and the other larger one on the opposite side of Richards would be one of the last remaining prime locations to build few 50-60 floor towers to form a second peak to our skyline. I know the viewcones prevent it, but imagine how amazing it would look like! That area could easily take a couple of taller towers that would rise above Capitol Residences and Telus Garden to form a small cluster on the eastern end of Downtown.

Too bad that will likely never happen. A park there will not be that enjoyable, as Smithe is a very loud and heavy traffic street.

Agreed! With a 5-storied mall podium as a base. That would jazz up the neighbourhood!

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

I walked around there yesterday. It's nice. Although I think it a few years that little pathway is going to get overgrown with the ton of plants they've planted. I'd rather just have the building go right up to the sidewalk

I disagree, I feel that most gardens in downtown Vancouver, especially those under condo strata, are pretty well maintained.

[osirisboy]

Ok true. Stratas do upkeep them (although this a rental and like a lot of rental in west end the landscaping isn't maintained well). All that aside, they are hardly ever used and just becomes dead space. I mean it's pretty to look at but it's dead/empty

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Pics by me today of Neon - on Granville south of the Best Western:

I've heard nothing about this building...