Downtown Vancouver Updates

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by officedweller

They cut back the trees a few years ago (to some outcry).
The pic on the city website is outdated.

That must have been a very modest tree trimming... When I first time went up to QEP two years ago, I was at first hugely disappointed by the view from this exact location. Fortunately I walked around and realized that the good view is from next to the Seasons restaurant.

Off-topic, but they have very good food for a pretty modest price, especially considering the extraordinary view from their patio!

[osirisboy]

They have completely demolished the building beside rbc building on hastings. Anyone know what's going on there?

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

I believe that the final report stated that the QE view cones will not be relaxed.

Actually, in cases where a project falls within the city's Higher Building Policy and does not violate any other viewcone, the Queen Elizabeth Park viewcone is the only viewcone the city is willing to show any flexibility on.

The problem, of course, is that there is only one (maybe two) remaining sites that fall within that policy. Moreover, the tallest of the remaining sites (i.e., the Burrard Building on the southwest corner of Georgia and Burrard) allows for only a maximum of 700 feet, according to the recently-released West End Community Plan.

Thus, if current city policy endures, then the tallest building the citizens of Vancouver will ever be permitted to have is 700 feet, and only one of them.

[jlousa]

Lets move all talk about this project into it's own thread.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=215071

[urbancanadian]

Originally Posted by officedweller

viewcones...

Thanks, officedweller, for looking that up! I still find it difficult to figure out which viewcones affect where so that was a big help. Also I agree that 320 Granville and this tower will look good together.

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

The building has been submitted at 127M, there are no view shadows and no easements to viewcone penetration.

13M, the building has already been redesigned and does not look significantly different.

Thanks for the insight. I'm not overly concerned about the height, but I was concerned that the overall intent of the design (incl. the peak) would be impacted. Sounds like I shouldn't worry!

EDIT - Whoops I see jlousa created a new thread... (thanks for that btw)

[vanciti]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

They have completely demolished the building beside rbc building on hastings. Anyone know what's going on there?

My understanding is, its a 2 story retail development, all glass façade, one level of parking (built into the grade) its by the Uptown Property Group. I know at one point Cushman had it listed. Its slated for completion later this year.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by vanciti

My understanding is, its a 2 story retail development, all glass façade, one level of parking (built into the grade) its by the Uptown Property Group. I know at one point Cushman had it listed. Its slated for completion later this year.

Between the heritage RBC building and the "Princess Building" in blue, here?
It's too bad that lot and the Princess Building weren't consolidated with the redevelopment of the dome plaza.


http://www.collierscanada.com/1106#

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by officedweller

It's too bad that lot and the Princess Building weren't consolidated with the redevelopment of the dome plaza.
http://www.collierscanada.com/1106#

Or at least build something truly urban to the height of the set back of the heritage building and create a classy big city street wall.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Or at least build something truly urban to the height of the set back of the heritage building and create a classy big city street wall.

You got it !! We're blowing our chances by putting in a "hodge-podge" on many streets, which, in turn, causes Vancouver to lose out on that "street wall" effect you're referring to.
It diminishes the sleekness of downtown, which Vancouver could still use more of, despite that many good buildings are being built, or planned.

[a very long weekend]

i love the princess building, though obviously the grade level could use some serious renovation. it'll be a real shame if they replace that blue building with a low rise parking structure. proposing a curb cut on that stretch of hastings makes me shake my head.

[osirisboy]

You don't have to consolidate lots. They could build a good 20 floor building where they are building the 2 storey retail thing

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by a very long weekend

i love the princess building, though obviously the grade level could use some serious renovation. it'll be a real shame if they replace that blue building with a low rise parking structure. proposing a curb cut on that stretch of hastings makes me shake my head.

Parking access would be off the alley.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Parking access would be off the alley.

Yes, but what a waste to build a two-floor building on such a potentially classy stretch of downtown street wall. It would be perfect for a narrow but taller office building that followed the lines of the RBC building.

Moreover, apparently that ugly blue metal sheet covering the current (now demolished) building hid a more-than-century old three or four storey heritage building. However, the details of the heritage façade may have been permanently destroyed when the owner of the building put up the blue metal sheet decades ago. Apparently, there are a number of buildings downtown (especially on Hastings) that have (or had) sheet metal covering up old heritage buildings.

If you google around a bit, I think you can find a photograph of it.


Here is a double example of one that was once covered up and one that is still covered up:




https://changingvancouver.wordpress.com/2014/06/04/west-hastings-from-homer-north-side-2/


It just blows your mind. What on earth were people thinking back then?

[Prometheus]

Here is another example, although in this case I think the old building might have been completely destroyed:


https://changingvancouver.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/31-w-hastings1.jpg

[Prometheus]

So, yes, this old heritage building was replaced by another building before being covered:




It was replaced by this stunning 1914 theatre, which is what is behind the blue covering today:



Tragically (or criminally), however, the owner of the theatre permanently destroyed the façade so that he could put up the beautiful blue covering we see today.

Source: https://changingvancouver.wordpress.com/2012/12/18/wood-vallance-and-leggat-west-hastings-street/

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Yes, but what a waste to build a two-floor building on such a potentially classy stretch of downtown street wall. It would be perfect for a narrow but taller office building that followed the lines of the RBC building.

Moreover, apparently that ugly blue metal sheet covering the current (now demolished) building hid a more-than-century old three or four storey heritage building. However, the details of the heritage façade may have been permanently destroyed when the owner of the building put up the blue metal sheet decades ago. Apparently, there are a number of buildings downtown (especially on Hastings) that have (or had) sheet metal covering up old heritage buildings.

If you google around a bit, I think you can find a photograph of it.


Here is a double example of one that was once covered up and one that is still covered up:




https://changingvancouver.wordpress.com/2014/06/04/west-hastings-from-homer-north-side-2/


It just blows your mind. What on earth were people thinking back then?

I wonder if people of the future would quote your exact words regarding view cones, the demolition of viaducts, and other follies of today.

[vancouver604]

Originally Posted by Vin

I wonder if people of the future would quote your exact words regarding view cones, the demolition of viaducts, and other follies of today.

Awesome heritage photos. The Odessey nightclub will be re-opening in that location (one of those buildings I'm assuming).

[a very long weekend]

can i ask what happened with this project? http://www.actonostry.ca/projects/hgr/

[vanciti]

Originally Posted by a very long weekend

can i ask what happened with this project? http://www.actonostry.ca/projects/hgr/

on hold...too many restaurants, not enough market/economic activity.

[Delirium]

does anyone know what all these development applications are for? they're slated to go before the Board in march.

March 9, 2015
250 Howe Street
200 Granville Street
200 Burrard Street
900 Canada Place

http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/development-permit-board.aspx