The Exchange | 115.7m | 31fl, 13fl | 400,000sqft. | Completed

[officedweller]

Pics by me today:

[SFUVancouver]

I really like this project. It's an exceptional example of balancing heritage retention with economic practicality and tenant expectations. I'm not sure how many more office project we're going to see during this boom, but I am very happy with what has been produced: MNP Tower (probably tied with the Exchange as my favourite current project), Telus Garden (probably third favourite), 580 Howe, 745 Thurlow (my least favourite of this current cycle), that one on Seymour at Pender(?), the Exchange, the office component of Vancouver House (very excited to see how they turn out), and even Central and Containers in SEFC and the Flats, respectively. Plus PCI's Marine Gateway and Crossroads projects, and Neelu Bachra Center on Broadway (my second least favourite), Coastal Health at Broadway and Commercial, BlueSky's project at Oak and Broadway, the vertical expansion project at Beatty and Dunsmuir (possibly my favourite one of them all), and the office component of the first Rogers Arena towers (probably my third least favourite).

[trofirhen]

Hard to believe this project will be only 31 storeys. // It seems bigger in the renders. Hmmm ... was it made to look taller; more imposing? Time will tell.

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Pics by me today:

Great shots and fantastic vantage point!

Hopefully you might get some more from there in the future?

[LeftCoaster]

Walked by the site yesterday after a meeting downtown. The progress is promising but I was very disappointed by the lobby height. Seemed no higher than a condo lobby.

This may seem like a small nit-pick but for an office tower the lobby is a huge component of how the building is presented, and without a strong sense of arrival I don't think this one will age well ie it won't hold it's ranking (AAA/A/B).

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Walked by the site yesterday after a meeting downtown. The progress is promising but I was very disappointed by the lobby height. Seemed no higher than a condo lobby.

This may seem like a small nit-pick but for an office tower the lobby is a huge component of how the building is presented, and without a strong sense of arrival I don't think this one will age well ie it won't hold it's ranking (AAA/A/B).

So, have they changed the design? Because, if I recall correctly, the entrance is supposed have a five-storey glass atrium.

Yeah, you can see it in these renderings:








Source: http://www.theexchangebuilding.ca/gallery/

I think what you were seeing is the bridge depicted in the last rendering, which I agree weakens the impact of an otherwise impressive lobby space. It would better to leave the lobby space completely unobstructed. I think what is gained by the bridge (e.g. a quiet lunch nook, convenient pedestrian crossing, etc) is less than what is lost (unadulterated grandeur).

[LeftCoaster]

Ahh probably. I bet you're right.

I tried to see how far back the concrete went but the north sidewalk is still closed off.

[Klazu]

Always assuming the worse, aren't we?

[officedweller]

That bridge is probably required for structural bracing, since there's no wall up against the heritage building there.

[csbvan]

Those street level renders look great. It's exciting to think about how this will look from the street when finished, especially the heritage component. I was working near there this summer, seeing the closed sidewalk and giant pit every day made it difficult to imagine what the finished product will look like.

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by Klazu

Always assuming the worse, aren't we?

Haha ya that's me, Vancouver's resident complainer

Originally Posted by officedweller

That bridge is probably required for structural bracing, since there's no wall up against the heritage building there.

I doubt it's "required" but probably pretty expensive to omit.

I hadn't seen some of those renderings before, rejuvenates some of my excitement for this project. Thanks for posting them Prometheus.

[retro_orange]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

So, have they changed the design? Because, if I recall correctly, the entrance is supposed have a five-storey glass atrium.

Yeah, you can see it in these renderings:


Source: http://www.theexchangebuilding.ca/gallery/

I think what you were seeing is the bridge depicted in the last rendering, which I agree weakens the impact of an otherwise impressive lobby space. It would better to leave the lobby space completely unobstructed. I think what is gained by the bridge (e.g. a quiet lunch nook, convenient pedestrian crossing, etc) is less than what is lost (unadulterated grandeur).

The lobby seems barren and rather dated IMO, that render looks like something from the 80's or 90's that's been updated by new floors and painting it out white. Some dramatic stone accents like in the 745 Thurlow or maybe use a matching stone to something on the heritage building but in a modern pattern/layout. Plus a dramatic chandelier or other lighting feature, I just see a few pot lights though. Love the plants, maybe some lighting to show them off.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by retro_orange

The lobby seems barren and rather dated IMO, that render looks like something from the 80's or 90's that's been updated by new floors and painting it out white. Some dramatic stone accents like in the 745 Thurlow or maybe use a matching stone to something on the heritage building but in a modern pattern/layout. Plus a dramatic chandelier or other lighting feature, I just see a few pot lights though. Love the plants, maybe some lighting to show them off.

Totally right on all points! (IMO)

[LeftCoaster]

Given that the facade facing inwards of the old stock exchange is in fact brick, not white as pictured, I'd imagine that the details are not accounted for in this rendering.

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Given that the facade facing inwards of the old stock exchange is in fact brick, not white as pictured, I'd imagine that the details are not accounted for in this rendering.

If you look at mcminsen's pictures you'll see that the side of the old building has been covered in concrete. The finished product inside the lobby might be be as in the renders if we go by this.

Originally Posted by mcminsen

[officedweller]

It's also an architectural "trick" to make a space feel bigger by having a low ceiling at the entrance and having it open up inside.
Frank Lloyd Wright did that with some of his houses.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Given that the facade facing inwards of the old stock exchange is in fact brick, not white as pictured, I'd imagine that the details are not accounted for in this rendering.

I'm sure we all hope you're right on that !!

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

I'm sure we all hope you're right on that !!

You can see the answer to that just two posts up!

[LeftCoaster]

Considering the 'answer' is as sure as anyone about the final treatment, I'd hardly call it definitive. The concrete could surely be removed, and I think that would be the best treatment, but the architect may have another theme in mind.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Jebby

You can see the answer to that just two posts up!

So are you saying that they're going to use Frank Lloyd Wright's approach, like for real?