Downtown Vancouver Updates - Page 650

Prometheus · #**12981** Posted **Jan 26, 2016, 12:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by csbvan

Yeah, how dare they build a decently sized-park in a dense area of the city....

Vancouver doesn't lack for parks, even in that neighbourhood (e.g. Emery Barnes Park is two blocks away; Yaletown Park is two and half blocks away; Coopers Park, David Lam Park and the Seawall are six blocks away, etc.). Vancouver does, however, lack an adequate supply of housing in relation to demand. So, yeah, how dare the city build what Vancouver already has in abundance at the expense of what Vancouver desperately needs.

Affordability is not an issue for me personally. But I sympathize with those for whom it is an issue and who must watch the city constrain Vancouver's housing supply even further by building another park on land which could be used far more productively and intelligently.

Klazu · #**12982** Posted **Jan 27, 2016, 12:05 AM**

Mcminsen, you could keep adding those Smithe/Richards park photos in this thread. I think photos of such an unique project warrant their own thread instead of this bulky megathread. Thanks.

officedweller · #**12983** Posted **Jan 27, 2016, 7:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Vancouver doesn't lack for parks, even in that neighbourhood (e.g. Emery Barnes Park is two blocks away; Yaletown Park is two and half blocks away; Coopers Park, David Lam Park and the Seawall are six blocks away, etc.).

This park (along with Emery Barnes Park) was planned before Wall Financial offered up Yaletown Park as a perk for that project - but the Park Board hasn't changed its plans (i.e. single purpose entity continuing its "mission").

WarrenC12 · #**12984** Posted **Jan 27, 2016, 7:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

This park (along with Emery Barnes Park) was planned before Wall Financial offered up Yaletown Park as a perk for that project - but the Park Board hasn't changed its plans (i.e. single purpose entity continuing its "mission").

Yaletown Park is neither in Yaletown, nor a real park.

trofirhen · #**12985** Posted **Jan 27, 2016, 7:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by csbvan

Yeah, how dare they build a decently sized-park in a dense area of the city....

I agree that small green spaces (parks) are necessary not only on the peripheries, but right down in the city centre itself. I like the park in that drawing. Building wall-to-wall is "São Paulo."

Prometheus · #**12986** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 6:42 PM**

I don't believe these images have been posted yet:

1) Rendering for Westbank's double tower proposal for the Safeway site at 1661 Davie Street:

Source: http://changingcitybook.com/2016/01/28/1661-davie-street/

2) Model of the proposal for 288 East Hastings (southwest corner of Hastings and Gore):

Source: http://changingcitybook.com/2016/01/27/288-east-hastings-street/

Klazu · #**12987** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 7:39 PM**

Those Safeway towers are nothing special, but I like how the middle section is connecting them with those terrace levels. Not bad, but it won't be visible part of the skyline.

osirisboy · #**12988** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 8:07 PM**

I really like the Safeway towers for one main reason. How they step back gradually in the middle. I find its so disjointed when you have a point tower sticking out of a 2 storey podium abruptly

Also I noticed they just attached the application board to the outside of the liquor store

Would love to see more projects like that hastings one along davie and denman

Prometheus · #**12989** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 8:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Would love to see more projects like that hastings one along davie and denman

The city's 30-year West End Community Plan has forbidden redevelopment above 60ft (or about 2 commercial storeys) along most of Denman Street:

Source: http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/west-end-community-plan-2013-nov.pdf

csbvan · #**12990** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 8:51 PM**

The Safeway tower has some hints of One Pacific, in particular the rounded, yet slightly angular corner balconies.

osirisboy · #**12991** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 9:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prometheus

The city's 30-year West End Community Plan has forbidden redevelopment above 60ft (or about 2 commercial storeys) along most of Denman Street:

Source: http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/west-end-community-plan-2013-nov.pdf

Thanks for the link. I was looking for that.

How far back from denman is that height limit?

jollyburger · #**12992** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 10:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Thanks for the link. I was looking for that.

How far back from denman is that height limit?

If I understand your question, 66 feet is mentioned in the last graphic.

osirisboy · #**12993** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 10:27 PM**

Lol yes. Thank you!! I totally missed that

The city wants the buildings to be improved and enhanced and create vibrancy. I just don't understand how that could happen. What's the incentive for an owner to tear down something to replace it with no meaningful increase in density. And what happens to sites that are taller such as the 6 storey hotel at pendrell? If they tear that down they would only be allowed to go to two floors?

SpongeG · #**12994** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 10:49 PM**

will the towers be able to built on the existing safeway store or will the whole thing be demolished and started all over?

officedweller · #**12995** Posted **Jan 29, 2016, 1:05 AM**

Sweet!
Thanks!

Though I don't like the increasing use of overhanging sections of buildings (over the sidewalk).
I like the staggered balconies.

Note that the building also shows the now trendy "bifurcated" form - different balcony treatments on each half of the building.

They'd have to demolish and start over to build the underground garage and footings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prometheus

I don't believe these images have been posted yet:

1) Rendering for Westbank's double tower proposal for the Safeway site at 1661 Davie Street:

Source: http://changingcitybook.com/2016/01/28/1661-davie-street/

officedweller · #**12996** Posted **Jan 29, 2016, 1:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by osirisboy

...

And what happens to sites that are taller such as the 6 storey hotel at pendrell? If they tear that down they would only be allowed to go to two floors?

Correct. The current 6 storey is a non-conforming use.
New construction would have to conform - so the smart move is to renovate the existing building.

Klazu · #**12997** Posted **Jan 29, 2016, 1:31 AM**

I wonder how practical such balconies are. Knowing our building, there are people smoking on balconies above and they are throwing their garbage down. Also, I wouldn't want to be enjoying my balcony and have someone stare straight down at me.

Spork · #**12998** Posted **Jan 29, 2016, 3:48 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klazu

I wonder how practical such balconies are. Knowing our building, there are people smoking on balconies above and they are throwing their garbage down. Also, I wouldn't want to be enjoying my balcony and have someone stare straight down on me.

I've been in buildings like that before, and that is generally the feeling you get. It is also uncomfortable to have somebody staring up at you. It also does not help that noise will now carry more easily, whereas normally the balcony itself is usually pretty good at blocking it.

officedweller · #**12999** Posted **Jan 29, 2016, 10:08 PM**

I think the intent is to allow more light to penetrate to each balcony.

s211 · #**13000** Posted **Jan 29, 2016, 10:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

I think the intent is to allow more light to penetrate to each balcony.

One step forward, several steps back.