Telus Garden | 135m, 88m | 46fl res, 22fl office | 928,000sqft | Completed

[Graham_Yvr]

This must be temporary. The panel where the door is placed looks very temporary and is likely a entrance/exit for construction workers only while the front is finished and early tenants occupy. Once complete that will be removed - for sure. The city would never allow that kind of blockage on a sidewalk. Given WCB/Work Safe standards, those steps are just installed to code, even if temporary. Give it time, all will be revealed.

[Prometheus]

Also notice that it is a double wide staircase with a centre railing. Yet the door leading to it is a single door which permits single-file exit only. It makes little sense.

[osirisboy]

I would assume it's temporary and for the use of construction workers. But the fact that it's concrete and with metal railings sure makes it seem like its permanent. I have never seen that on construction sites ever, temporary structures are always made out of wood or scaffolding

[Vanelevatorman]

Those stairs have to be temporary, look how much of the sidewalk they take up. They do look rather permanent however, so only time will tell...Also there butt ugly!

[mcminsen]

I think the concrete steps and new door were created just in the last week or so. Look at this pic I took on Jan. 18th and compare to yesterday. No door and no sign of the railings. Hard to see if the steps were there. Maybe they are long term temporary, like a year or so.

Jan.18 '15, my pic




Jan.27 '15, my pic

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

I think the concrete steps and new door were created just in the last week or so. Look at this pic I took on Jan. 18th and compare to yesterday. No door and no sign of the railings. Hard to see if the steps were there. Maybe they are long term temporary, like a year or so.

That makes sense. Maybe it's a requirement for early occupancy of the office tower and will be removed once the whole project is complete?

[mcminsen]

The sidewalk around the mystery steps was poured today and it's a little easier to gauge the width of what's left for pedestrians to use. Maybe the steps will be removed in conjunction with the reopening of the sidewalk along the condo tower 1-2 years down the road.

BTW, I think the potted plants were being temporarily stored where you see them now. That whole half of the block is chaotic now at street level. Something different to see everyday.


Jan.28 '15, my pic


Jan.28 '15, my pic


Jan.29 '15, my pic


Jan.28 '15, my pic

[Vin]

Why does the stairway have to be so wide? It even has a dividing railing for Pete's sake it's only serving a tiny door!

[Vanelevatorman]

Seems to make no sense at all

[SFUVancouver]

The single-width door makes perfect sense, since it fits within the window width. The double wide stairs and large landing let people walk up one side and down the other. I expect that this will be used for the interior fit-out of the building and will be temporary.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Vin

Why does the stairway have to be so wide? It even has a dividing railing for Pete's sake it's only serving a tiny door!

That's probably because the rate of exit at the door is faster than the rate of exit down the stairs.
People are notoriously slow at walking down stairs. Try doing it from the top of an office tower during a fire drill... it's painful.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by officedweller

That's probably because the rate of exit at the door is faster than the rate of exit down the stairs.
People are notoriously slow at walking down stairs. Try doing it from the top of an office tower during a fire drill... it's painful.

Hmm what about the rate of pedestrian flow (in two directions) going through that narrow strip of sidewalk? Would that be way less than the rate of movement on the stairs?

[officedweller]

Not to mention the obstruction for the visually impaired or inebriated.

[Pinion]

Not to mention Vancouverites can't decide whether to stay left or stay right when walking up and down stairs or on sidewalks.

[wrenegade]

That staircase is bullshit. It can't be permanent, it just can't be. But then again, it sure as hell looks like it is. Really hoping it's not the case.

[mcminsen]

I got this in the mail today. I live within the notification area.

As Klazu reported back on page #82, the sign on the west facade of the office tower has already been seen turned on and was apparently being tested. It seems strange to build it and THEN apply to amend the by-law so that what you've already built can be permitted and THEN seek public input on the "proposed sign". I think it would have been more honest for the notice to simply say "We would like your input on the operation of the sign." As in, brightness, media content and hours of operation.

I do like the idea of a sign. I just wish it was larger as the earlier renderings seemed to suggest. I guess I will have to like it the way it is.


Jan.29 '15, my pic

[osirisboy]

Only on till 11pm? Ugh. That's pathetic

[mcminsen]

The mystery steps situation gets curiouser and curiouser. I take back what I said about the potted plants being temporarily stored on the sidewalk. They have become the sidewalk. They are planted now in a lovely arrangement that takes up the full width of the sidewalk. Also, the door now has an address… 510 West Georgia.

Jan.29 '15, my pic


Jan.29 '15, my pic


Jan.29 '15, my pic

[Vin]

Maybe they are forcing pedestrians to walk through the alleyway at West Georgia and make a detour beside the Kingston inn to get to Richards?

[Hourglass]

The staircase might look less jarring if the railings matched the darker shade of the building...