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

[mcminsen]

More edge lighting being tested.



July 7 '16, my pic

[connect2source]

Thanks for posting!

Some observations :

Elevator number-systems in all new projects will be straight-forward, no more skipping numbers for superstition or other reasons.

Westbank does seem to love tiny fridges, sold one recently 700 W 8th, a massive suite and the fridge more suitable to a small one bedroom. I know a few owners in Woodward's who've changed them as well.

Lighted strips beside entrances are great! Westbank typically does very plain hallways with ultra-white paint which scuffs instantly, this is the case in 700 W 8th and Woodward's.

High Microwaves are certainly not the trend these days, most are below counter hight and hidden from view. Odd they chose such an inaccessible location, nice unit tho.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by jlousa

I've had a two in one washer/dryer unit for over a decade now, incredible piece of machinery, put the clothes in set the timer, go and do whatever I want and come back to warm clean clothes. The dryer is a condenser unit and the water goes down the drain line which every washer has.

We used one in Europe on holidays and it seemed to take forever and the clothes were still damp. Could have been any number of problems I suppose.

I did a little research, definitely a cool concept and sounds like it's easier on clothes. Just expensive up front.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by connect2source

Thanks for posting!

High Microwaves are certainly not the trend these days, most are below counter hight and hidden from view. Odd they chose such an inaccessible location, nice unit tho.

I never thought about height until this. Our current layout has the microwave shelf maybe 4" below the hood fan level. Fine for me, my wife thinks it's too high. Our new place has it right below the counter level (in the kitchen island).

We don't microwave too much but I'm not sure I'll like bending down to get stuff. At least it frees up space for more cabinets and allows for a cleaner look overall. And hopefully I'll get over any paranoia about microwaves shooting out at crotch level.

[officedweller]

My older 1993 condo has a microwave shelf that's lower than the typical upper cabinets.
The dish drainer under it can just barely fit a large dinner plate. But the height is pretty convenient.

***

The walls in the Telus Garden hallways were off-white - and there were a lot of scuffs (due to move-ins).

[s211]

Originally Posted by connect2source

Westbank does seem to love tiny fridges, sold one recently 700 W 8th, a massive suite and the fridge more suitable to a small one bedroom. I know a few owners in Woodward's who've changed them as well.

An agent from Magnum that marketed 700 W. 8th told me that Westbank's small fridges are a response to the Asian demographic they're targeting. A guy in the appliance industry claimed BS, saying the fridges Westbank installs are there for one reason only: they're cheap as hell.

They're probably both right.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by s211

An agent from Magnum that marketed 700 W. 8th told me that Westbank's small fridges are a response to the Asian demographic they're targeting. A guy in the appliance industry claimed BS, saying the fridges Westbank installs are there for one reason only: they're cheap as hell.

They're probably both right.

Why do asians use smaller fridges?


Would love to see the rec amenities, especially the pool patio area.

[Hourglass]

Used to living in small flats where there's no room for a big fridge.

Also, in many Asian countries, people go marketing more frequently as opposed to stocking up for the week.

[bc2mb]

This wall looks awful... is this the final product?

I didn't realize there was going to be exposed concrete, I thought it all would have been covered with seafoam spandrel.

I would not want to be looking out at this concrete wall everyday.

TBH the residential portion of this project is a huge disappointment. Even Woodwards kitchens and baths look better & are more functional, same developer and built 2009.

[retro_orange]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

More edge lighting being tested.



July 7 '16, my pic

If we learned anything from the William Farrell lighting feature failure (which was comparatively simple), this looks like it will become a high maintenance gimmick that's never fully operational and eventually given up on. Another flop of this project. What side will be worse, a defunct lighted seafoam glass covered facade or the side with the big concrete fins that will inevitably get dirty and gross looking.

Does anyone have a pic of the functioning lighting feature from the W/F building? I can't remember what it looked like; it's been so long.

[retro_orange]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Saw a friend's place in Telus Garden today.

Pics by me today:

Eek... Aside from the bit of the HBC building you can see, once the Budget car rental site is built up, your friend will have no view of anything worthwhile. At least she will be able to see the Kowloon city-like development on top of the post office before it gets hidden...

[mcminsen]

Some new pics from the Seymour Street facade of the old building. Very slow going.



July 8 '16, my pics

[Liberator]

The fridges are small... You won't be overusing your bulk Costco food purchases on perishables here

The Miele speed oven shown in the pic is multi function which acts as a microwave as well. Note the glass shelf on the bottom. Some of the larger units will have a larger dedicated Miele oven and a separate Panasonic microwave installed under the counter or in the cabinets.

The dryer vents back into the condo which is not ideal IMO particularly in the summer heat. It does draw condense moisture but the heat effectively is blown into the condo living space as you may note all laundry closet doors are vented. Some units have the washer/dryer share the same space with actual closets so you may imagine the heat and residual moisture circulating with your hung closeted clothes

Owners should open the patio doors/ windows and/or turn on the bathroom exhaust fans when operating dryers or potential excess moisture may accumulate with these developments being so envelope tight. Each condo should have an auto timer switch which may be used to activate the bathroom exhaust fans to promote healthy air circulation

Over 80% of units have completed sales now not to state that they are occupied yet but formally transferred.

[s211]

Originally Posted by Liberator

The dryer vents back into the condo which is not ideal IMO particularly in the summer heat. It does NOT draw condensate into a drain but the heat and moisture effectively is blown into the condo living space as you may note all laundry closet doors are vented. Some units have the washer/dryer share the same space with actual closets so you may imagine the moisture circulating with your hung closeted clothes

Owners should open the patio doors/ windows and/or turn on the bathroom exhaust fans when operating dryers or potential excess moisture may accumulate with these developments being so envelope tight.

I'm frankly astounded that they would do such a thing, just to save the cost of proper venting, even if a booster fan is required to assist with long vent runs. I have a ventless machine also, but at least it has a drain line for some of the extracted moisture. Even so, I have to keep a window open when I run the dryer because the system's far from perfect.

And I have yet to see a combo washer/dryer that doesn't leave everything coming out more than damp. Those are especially funny to see in damp/humid climates: good luck hanging anything to dry after the gutless dryer is done.

The way this market is going with micro-appliances makes me far less desirous of buying anything built from around 2010 onward. Westbank seems to be leading the charge.

[officedweller]

Hard to find a pic of the William Farrell light feature. It was colour changing spotlights located on the second skin aimed at the brick wall of the building.

Originally Posted by retro_orange

Eek... Aside from the bit of the HBC building you can see, once the Budget car rental site is built up, your friend will have no view of anything worthwhile. At least she will be able to see the Kowloon city-like development on top of the post office before it gets hidden...

It's being rented out.

**************

WRT the Seymour façade - workers were jack hammering a section of aggregate panelling the other day - I think that part was cast in place rather than panelling.

[wrenegade]

Some people like the ductless dryers, though most don't. I can see why developers like them, as it certainly simplifies the construction process. They aren't terribly great to live with though (my current place has a ductless dryer).

The small oven/small fridge thing is a pain in the ass, but not a deal killer, especially for smaller units. I think all 2B+ units should have a minimum 30" fridge and 30" oven, but many in the marketplace may feel differently.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by wrenegade

Some people like the ductless dryers, though most don't. I can see why developers like them, as it certainly simplifies the construction process. They aren't terribly great to live with though (my current place has a ductless dryer).

The small oven/small fridge thing is a pain in the ass, but not a deal killer, especially for smaller units. I think all 2B+ units should have a minimum 30" fridge and 30" oven, but many in the marketplace may feel differently.

I'd much rather have a smaller oven than a smaller fridge. My first condo was a 410sf studio with a full size range/oven. Like how many times is a studio-dweller going to cook a 20lb Turkey? I think I used a max of 2 burners at once during my years there. I could have used the extra cupboard space.

[mcminsen]

July 14 '16, my pics

[rofina]

2 points;

- Microwave that high is a safety hazard, lifting hot items from that high is not a safe option.

- The clearance between hood fan and stove top is way too high for proper induction.

Not sure how this actually passed, there is no way manufacturer specifications would allow for a clearance that high.

I sincerely hope the owner of the unit from page before is happy.

Personally, knowing the prices there, I would be pretty disappointed - buyers remorse for sure.

But, to each his own.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I'd much rather have a smaller oven than a smaller fridge. My first condo was a 410sf studio with a full size range/oven. Like how many times is a studio-dweller going to cook a 20lb Turkey? I think I used a max of 2 burners at once during my years there. I could have used the extra cupboard space.

I use my oven to store a bunch of baking pans as I only use it a few times a year (also have an oversized toaster oven for daily use). I couldn't live with a tiny fridge.