Downtown Vancouver Updates

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

On the schematic map above, there seems to be some sort of roadway, parallel, and immediately north of Pender that leads onto Georgia.
Is this an underground tunnel, a roadway that has been scrapped in the planning, or what?
It's in dotted lines, and passes across Cardero, then joins Georgia. What is it? Anyone know? Thanks.

Planned Stanley Park streetcar.

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by Vin

Was hoping for the market to have direct access into the lobby of the office tower and the mall. Looks like it only has an independent street access?

It wouldn't work as Meinhardt's back of house blocks any access. Technically there is a fire exit that puts you into the elevator lobby, but you have to go through the kitchen to use it, so only in emergencies. The front door of the market and front door of the lobby are both covered by continuous awning though so if it is raining you won't get wet.

[SFUVancouver]

Vancouver’s Bayshore Hotel sold for redevelopment potential

By Jeff Lee, Vancouver Sun September 4, 2015 3:03 PM

VANCOUVER — The storied Westin Bayshore Hotel, once the home of reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes, has been sold to Concord Pacific Developments for an undisclosed sum as a redevelopment project.

Concord Pacific won't confirm that it bought the complex, saying it was under a legal obligation not to comment on the proceedings. However, Bob Levine, a founding partner of Avison Young, which represented another interested buyer, confirmed the sale Friday. He said he didn't know the final price but estimated it to be around $290 million. That is far more than what every other potential buyer thought the property was worth, he said, and indicates that Concord Pacific has hopes of developing it in the future.

From the city's perspective, however, any plan to redevelop the 2.4 hectare (six acre) site, which includes the elegant 510-room hotel and accompanying marina at 1601 Bayshore Drive, appears limited to two modest tower sites built into the city's Bayshore Gardens district. The new owner will have to meet a demand that a large hotel and convention facility remain in some form after redevelopment, Vancouver planning director Brian Jackson said.

[snip]

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/vancouver+ba...ential/11341485/story.html#ixzz3koLbByW9

Something in the $290 million range says a lot about what they hope to be able to do with it. The latest "last waterfront opportunity in Vancouver", me'thinks.

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

Vancouver Hotel That Housed Howard Hughes Offers New Whodunnit
Westin Bayshore nearing sale for roughly C$270 million to C$290 million

http://www.wsj.com/articles/vancouver-hotel-that-housed-hughes-offers-new-whodunnit-1441099803

I would put my money on Concord taking it

Hollywoodnorth, good call on Concord winning the bid.

[jlousa]

Seems like we might now have insight on the real reason Brian Jackson left the city too. Seems like he was pretty adamant on what would be allowed to be built on the Bayshore site, guess the developers weren't too happy about that and...

[phesto]

Looks like the initial unveiling of the Bing Thom/Westbank tower at Burrard and Nelson will be next week:

http://www.heartforthecity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Screen-Shot-2015-09-08-at-2.34.14-PM.png

[Klazu]

This block will be the most exciting thing in Downtown for the next 2-3 years!

[officedweller]

Pic by mne today of the former Ingledew's building on Granville.
I wonder if the raised mullions will be applied to every strip?
It looks a bit assymetric right now (more raised strips on the left (maybe 4) than right (maybe 2))

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

A proposal for the southwest corner of West Hastings Street and Hamilton Street:


Source: http://changingcitybook.com/2014/08/08/308-west-hastings-street/

Some pics from today.



Sept.12 '15, my pics

[csbvan]

As bland is this building is, I am happy about it for a number of reasons. First, it is more retail at grade, second it brings even more University/institutional usage, which is already near the SFU downtown campus, VFS and VCC, and third the residential is aimed at university students. The addition of more post-secondary students to this area is great in my opinion. It will continue to accelerate the change in the area.

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Some new renderings for the historic Ormidale Block restoration/redevelopment:



http://www.colliersads.com/11665#.UrIiQ8uA2cw

Originally Posted by mcminsen

It looks like there is something actually starting to happen at the Ormidale Block now. To see more renders, click on Prometheus' post link.


Aug.16 '15, my pics

Steady progress in this tight little space. The first pic is looking in from Hastings Street, the others are from the alley.



Sept.12 '15, my pics

[SFUVancouver]

I think that it is interesting that the SFU building is using woodframe atop the concrete ground floor. It makes perfect sense, but it is also unexpected in an institutional building.

Thanks for photos.

[retro_orange]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Pic by mne today of the former Ingledew's building on Granville.
I wonder if the raised mullions will be applied to every strip?
It looks a bit assymetric right now (more raised strips on the left (maybe 4) than right (maybe 2))

Its quite bland and blasé... looks like it's a cheap facelift, I thought 'The Nordstrom Effect' was supposed to make things more upscale for Granville (as ugly as it was, it did have a granite facade before) hopefully the tenant will liven up the place with swank interior decor and good signage.

[logan5]

This is the strangest reno I have ever seen. It makes you wonder if the owner of this building is mentally retarded. Seriously. Why would you spend good money to make your building look worse?

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Sept.12 '15, my pics

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

I think that it is interesting that the SFU building is using woodframe atop the concrete ground floor. It makes perfect sense, but it is also unexpected in an institutional building.

Thanks for photos.

I'm glad to see this being built with wood-frame, should make the business decision to knock it down a lot easier in a couple decades and build something decent on that site.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Jebby

I'm glad to see this being built with wood-frame, should make the business decision to knock it down a lot easier in a couple decades and build something decent on that site.

Yes, the building they are putting up now has a wartime severity to its appearance. Maybe because of the location............

[retro_orange]

[QUOTE=mcminsen;7161911]Some pics from today.



Sept.12 '15, my pics



Whats going on at the former Pappas fur building? I havent been in that area in ages, it was for lease the last time I was there. A full restoration of the facade is needed, who is moving in?

As for the new sfu building I think it will make a good addition to the area, it has good massing, uses a material other then glass in a substantial way and has a cool clean 60's institutional feeling that will fit in with the areas more eclectic esthetic without showing it up.

Pic from changingcitybook

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by retro_orange

Whats going on at the former Pappas fur building? I havent been in that area in ages, it was for lease the last time I was there. A full restoration of the facade is needed, who is moving in?

I don't know what's going on but here are are some pics from a few weeks ago.




Aug.22 '15, my pics

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Thanks for the update.

Regarding the trees, I hope they are a specie that will grow into tall, stately trees. I have, however, noticed a few recent examples where the city has planted a stupid, dwarf-like specie of tree that has permanently low, bushy branches that obstruct pedestrians.

Originally Posted by vanman

Haha I know exactly the trees you are referring to. Those dwarf trees are not only ugly, they don't provide any useable shade unless you're 3 feet tall. Being well over 6 feet I actually will avoid streets with those useless trees as a pedestrian.

Originally Posted by mcminsen

One of these trees? I saw these today along Seymour Street by Emory Barnes Park. Can you imagine these things in another 10 years?

The trees along Georgia by the Telus tower look like they'll be fine. I just hope they can get their roots well established before the hot weather arrives. I'm sure they'll get the requisite hair cut at some point. And when the construction fence comes down there will be lots more room for pedestrians.


April 5 '15, my pic

^^^ That was a little side discussion about downtown trees about 5 months ago on the Telus thread. Here's that same tree today, all nicely trimmed and pedestrian friendly.



Sept.13 '15, my pic

[logan5]

That tree must be on the juice. Look at the thickness of the branches compared to only 5 months ago. Is that really the same tree?

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by logan5

That tree must be on the juice. Look at the thickness of the branches compared to only 5 months ago. Is that really the same tree?

I wasn't sure at first until I saw the dark spot on the sidewalk (centre right in closeups below). Also, the pic I took today was from a closer position so the tree looks larger


my pics