General Vancouver Updates

[officedweller]

Those two projects on Dunbar (both with proposed grocery stores, one being a relocated Stong's) were approved:

http://www.vancourier.com/news/developing-story-dunbar-projects-approved-1.1688656

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

the 2nd phase of CONTAINERS by Rize on terminal seems to be underway. Pilling seems to be about to happen (machinery on site) and the sign says FULLY LEASED now!

http://containersonterminal.com/

Canada Revenue Agency will occupy the entire 140k SF second phase of the Containers on Terminal development, relocating from West Pender Street to False Creek Flats, the city's hip, happening employment hub.

Public Works and Government Services Canada is leasing the whole building at 468 Terminal Ave for 15 years for use by CRA, “modifying the design slightly to fit their needs,” notes JLL EVP Ray Ahrens, who repped the project's developer, Vancouver's Rize Alliance Properties. Occupancy is slated for spring 2017.
...

https://www.bisnow.com/archives/newslett...xman-is-false-creek-flats-newest-tenant/

[officedweller]

Marcon Developments is planning to build 73-units at Yukon Street and West 63rd Avenue in two 4-storey buildings.


http://www.vancouvermarket.ca/2015/01/06/73-unit-development-proposed-in-new-marpole-zone/

[twoNeurons]

I wonder... could Vancouver do this?

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153026323159742

A two-week skyscraper.

[Vanelevatorman]

That would be very cool, but in Vancouver highly unlikely.

[vanciti]

Originally Posted by twoNeurons

I wonder... could Vancouver do this?

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153026323159742

A two-week skyscraper.

Our code and inspection requirements wouldn't allow for it.

However we could certainly take some lessons from the Chinese in respect to efficiency to speed up the construction of our buildings. The problem with the building industry in Vancouver, and Western Canada in general is it takes some pretty significant investment in the infrastructure in order to pre-fabricate components. When wood frame condos are not ALL being pre-fabricated you know we have a long way to go. There are so many efficiency methods that are used around the world that would make a lot of sense, speed up construction timelines and decrease costs. The attitude of many in Vancouver is, "we've been doing it this way for 50 years, and it works, why would we change it" as a result when the new technologies come in, it often takes a decade for the technology and process to really take hold in Vancouver.

[officedweller]

From VancouverMarket.ca - new retail building for Lululemon on West 4th with yoga patio on the roof:

http://www.vancouvermarket.ca/2015/01/14/new-retail-building-proposed-for-west-4th-arbutus/


http://www.vancouvermarket.ca/2015/01/14/new-retail-building-proposed-for-west-4th-arbutus/


http://www.vancouvermarket.ca/2015/01/14/new-retail-building-proposed-for-west-4th-arbutus/

[vancouver604]

Anyone know what's the latest update on the Plaza 500 hotel?
Years ago the owners of the hotel wanted to transform it into a boutique hotel (which never did materialize) and I'm guessing they went bankrupt, didn't pay the bills and ran it into the ground (not surprising) so the site has sat empty and run down for many years. Looks like some kind of work going in there. They couldn't implode the building due to abspestos or something so not sure whats going on if they will tear it down or gut it and make it into apartments, anyone have an idea?

[vanciti]

Originally Posted by vancouver604

Anyone know what's the latest update on the Plaza 500 hotel?
Years ago the owners of the hotel wanted to transform it into a boutique hotel (which never did materialize) and I'm guessing they went bankrupt, didn't pay the bills and ran it into the ground (not surprising) so the site has sat empty and run down for many years. Looks like some kind of work going in there. They couldn't implode the building due to abspestos or something so not sure whats going on if they will tear it down or gut it and make it into apartments, anyone have an idea?

Implosion has nothing to do with the asbestos in the building. We don't implode buildings in Vancouver because of the cost and the liability. It is often cheaper to demolish a building with machines that blowing them up. Prior to demolishing a building asbestos would have to be removed by hand regardless.

The same owner still owns the property, he got into a major dispute with Canadian Western Bank over the amount of equity he was required to put into the project after a variety of issues were found during the interior demolition of the conversion of the hotel. It has sat empty for a number of years because the owner is a very stubborn individual and has a very interesting take on the value of the property along with an approach to business.

A few months ago a large loan was closed in order to convert the building to rental suites, Haebler is the contractor.

[djh]

Originally Posted by vanciti

Implosion has nothing to do with the asbestos in the building. We don't implode buildings in Vancouver because of the cost and the liability. It is often cheaper to demolish a building with machines that blowing them up. Prior to demolishing a building asbestos would have to be removed by hand regardless.

The same owner still owns the property, he got into a major dispute with Canadian Western Bank over the amount of equity he was required to put into the project after a variety of issues were found during the interior demolition of the conversion of the hotel. It has sat empty for a number of years because the owner is a very stubborn individual and has a very interesting take on the value of the property along with an approach to business.

A few months ago a large loan was closed in order to convert the building to rental suites, Haebler is the contractor.

Thanks for the update on this, Vanciti. I'm glad to hear there's finally going to be some progress on this long-abandonded eyesore. It's in such a prominent location that it's amazing the city has not hurried-up the project up until now. I also hate to think how much money the owner has lost (or rather, not made) with the property sitting undeveloped all this time.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by vanciti

There are so many efficiency methods that are used around the world that would make a lot of sense, speed up construction timelines and decrease costs. The attitude of many in Vancouver is, "we've been doing it this way for 50 years, and it works, why would we change it" as a result when the new technologies come in, it often takes a decade for the technology and process to really take hold in Vancouver.

Agreed. Pre-fab concrete would make many owners want concrete houses today, and drive the costs of such contruction down.

[officedweller]

Another render of the shipping container project at Changing City Updates:

420 Hawks Ave.


http://changingcitybook.com/2015/01/18/420-hawks-avenue/

and the rental one on Kingsway at East 11th Ave.

333 East 11th Ave.

Now 14 storeys...


http://changingcitybook.com/2015/01/17/333-east-11th-avenue/

[jsbertram]

Originally Posted by djh

Thanks for the update on this, Vanciti. I'm glad to hear there's finally going to be some progress on this long-abandonded eyesore. It's in such a prominent location that it's amazing the city has not hurried-up the project up until now. I also hate to think how much money the owner has lost (or rather, not made) with the property sitting undeveloped all this time.

Just noticed the construction elevator lighting on the weekend, and was surprised to see any activity.

The city can't "hurried-up the project up" since they have no financial stake in the project.

Full or empty, the building still has to pay their taxes.
Failure to do so & the city can seize the property, but would they want to seize a half un-demolished asbestos infested building to pay back taxes? The cost of making the building fit for resale or demolishing it to bare land would likely be more than the overdue taxes they would be trying to recover.

[officedweller]

Story about redevelopment of Kingsgate Mall:

http://www.biv.com/article/2015/1/public-get-say-potential-kingsgate-mall-redevelopm/

[WarrenC12]

Here's your chance, internet-armchair critics. Join a committee and make some real change!

http://vancouver.ca/your-government/vacancies-for-advisory-boards-committees.aspx

You can even join the UDP and vomit over all of the proposals you love to trash.

[Vin]

Classy.....

Regarding the Kingsgatemall redevelopment, definitely gotta partake in the process! Golden opportunity for something nice to go in there.

[logan5]

Using Rize as a guide for probable density at the Kingsgate Mall site, there will likely be 800 to 900 units built, which is a lot. I hope that somehow there will be more interesting retail at street level. E. Broadway is slowly becoming more walk-able. Some major developments like Rize and Kingsgate could really give E Broadway a shot in the arm.

[vanciti]

Originally Posted by jsbertram

Just noticed the construction elevator lighting on the weekend, and was surprised to see any activity.

The city can't "hurried-up the project up" since they have no financial stake in the project.

Full or empty, the building still has to pay their taxes.
Failure to do so & the city can seize the property, but would they want to seize a half un-demolished asbestos infested building to pay back taxes? The cost of making the building fit for resale or demolishing it to bare land would likely be more than the overdue taxes they would be trying to recover.

Exactly...as long as the owner maintains the property, pays his taxes and there is no public safety issue the city can't do anything to an existing building. The city has a little more pressure if there is a Development Permit pending as those have life spans and cost more money to extend or re-apply.

The building in itself if it were to be knocked down would never be approved for similar height to what it has currently, the White Spot site across the street is a prime example.

The owner of the building also owns Firefly liquor stores, both at Cambie and in Maple Ridge, his taxes are all covered by the monies that he is making on those.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by vanciti

The building in itself if it were to be knocked down would never be approved for similar height to what it has currently, the White Spot site across the street is a prime example.

Makes no sense to me at all! Demolish prime space to get less. Only in Vancouver with degenerative policies.

[vancouver604]

So apparently in the middle of the night someone came and cut all the trees down around the corner of cambie @ 29th. Coincidentally, the Empire condo building is being constructed directly across the street and according to their sales centre most units facing north are all sold. Hmmmm... my guess is that one of the owners who purchased a suite there trying to get a mountain and city view!

http://www.theprovince.com/technology/Yo...r+residential+street/10745743/story.html