Downtown Vancouver Updates - Page 691

officedweller · #**13801** Posted **Jul 19, 2016, 9:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbancanadian

Rezoning application for the Covenant House sites:

530 and 575 Drake Street (Covenant House)
http://former.vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/530and575drake/index.htm

Thanks

Here's the description and rendering.
There are 2 orphaned sites (one next to each building).

Quote:

530 Drake Street (south side):
•5-storey building;
•a maximum building height of 19.94 m (65 ft);
•a floor space ratio (FSR) of 3.06; and
•no on-site parking.

575 Drake Street (north side):
•10-storey building;
•a maximum building height of 35.52 m (116 ft);
•a floor space ratio (FSR) of 5.15; and
•four underground vehicle parking spaces.

and from Changing City Updates:

https://changingcitybook.com/2016/07/16/530-and-575-drake-street/

http://former.vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/530and575drake/index.htm

https://changingcitybook.com/2016/07/16/530-and-575-drake-street/

http://former.vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/530and575drake/index.htm

Vin · #**13802** Posted **Jul 19, 2016, 9:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

It would be better if the tree were pissing on a statue of a dog.

I suggest utilizing that hated poodle from Main Street......

Regarding the Covenant House replacement and the short building across Drake: Awesome! Quite decent, but does the one on the south side to replace ISS refugee centre/halfway house come with retail on the ground floor? Thanks for posting the pics.

officedweller · #**13803** Posted **Jul 19, 2016, 9:51 PM**

Nope - floorplans show no retail for either building.
It's not much of a retail area anyways - other than the SDM.

Vin · #**13804** Posted **Jul 19, 2016, 10:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Nope - floorplans show no retail for either building.
It's not much of a retail area anyways - other than the SDM.

Thanks.

Retail would complement Shoppers Drug Mart nicely. 1300-1320 Richard Street's 43-storey development will also have retail. The old building next to it also has a CRU. Having retail in the south building would connect the retail on Richards nicely to Granville Street. Moreover The Drake/Seymour neighbourhood is also the City's proposed tram line terminal, so it doesn't hurt to have some services after people get off the streetcars, if they were to ever run in this city.

a very long weekend · #**13805** Posted **Jul 20, 2016, 5:53 AM**

is that "jim deva" square vancouver's first pedestrianized block?

Marshal · #**13806** Posted **Jul 20, 2016, 7:49 AM**

You know how you can go to an 'art' warehouse outfit and rent 10, 20, 300 'artworks' to grace your hotel, office, or restaurant chain: well, public art seems to be well on its way to the same quality because real art is too expensive or too precious for outdoor installations. There are many exceptions, thankfully, but the low-grade stuff seems to be on the upswing. There are real artists out there that deserve to get some commissions.

Oh, and while I'm griping, enough Douglas Coupland! He is a so-so writer, famed more for coining terms than great works, AND he sucks as a visual/sculptural artist. I think he needs to stop before the city is riddled with his mediocre works. The whale and the tree are neat-o-cool, but really. And, while the Terry Fox memorial is 100 times better than the last one, that's not something to brag about. If only he knew enough to get a talented sculptor to do the set of figures for him. His are horrible.

jollyburger · #**13807** Posted **Jul 20, 2016, 7:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by a very long weekend

is that "jim deva" square vancouver's first pedestrianized block?

Wouldn't that be Robson at the VAG?

jollyburger · #**13808** Posted **Jul 20, 2016, 7:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshal

Oh, and while I'm griping, enough Douglas Coupland! He is a so-so writer, famed more for coining terms than great works, AND he sucks as a visual/sculptural artist. I think he needs to stop before the city is riddled with his mediocre works. The whale and the tree are neat-o-cool, but really. And, while the Terry Fox memorial is 100 times better than the last one, that's not something to brag about. If only he knew enough to get a talented sculptor to do the set of figures for him. His are horrible.

You mean like this POS?

Credit: Retail Insider

http://www.retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2015/10/simons-park-royal

trofirhen · #**13809** Posted **Jul 20, 2016, 7:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jollyburger

You mean like this POS?

Credit: Retail Insider

http://www.retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2015/10/simons-park-royal

That striped, double-ended cone thing looks like something from a kids' birthday party. Couldn't they insist on something a litte bit more "oeuvré?"

LeftCoaster · #**13810** Posted **Jul 20, 2016, 8:56 PM**

It's private property, clearly the purchaser like it and bought it.

When did everyone in here become an art critic? Jesus.

Jebby · #**13811** Posted **Jul 20, 2016, 9:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

When did everyone in here become an art critic? Jesus.

Do you need a degree to be an art critic? Or a government-issued license?

LeftCoaster · #**13812** Posted **Jul 20, 2016, 10:04 PM**

Not entirely sure I implied that...

officedweller · #**13813** Posted **Jul 21, 2016, 1:15 AM**

Vancouver heritage advisory groups reject demolition of two historic Gastown buildings
http://www.straight.com/news/738356/vanc...emolition-two-historic-gastown-buildings

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbancanadian

https://changingcitybook.com/2015/06/12/stanley-new-fountain-west-cordova-street/

It's certainly an interesting project. But they will need to be very careful to respect the existing buildings, especially how they treat the Blood Alley side, which is very unique for Vancouver.

csbvan · #**13814** Posted **Jul 21, 2016, 2:34 AM**

^^ Not entirely surprising. It is a pretty lazy treatment of the heritage buildings and a pretty mediocre design overall.

Prometheus · #**13815** Posted **Jul 21, 2016, 2:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by csbvan

^^ Not entirely surprising. It is a pretty lazy treatment of the heritage buildings and a pretty mediocre design overall.

Moreover, once you destroy the heritage backside of these buildings, the historical charm (and thus potential Gastown-style greatness) of Blood Alley has largely been destroyed.

It is clear that any redevelopment must retain both the front and back facades, if you want Blood Alley to be a great part of Gastown.

jlousa · #**13816** Posted **Jul 21, 2016, 3:07 AM**

Wonder if anyone on here is willing to provide some insight on this on...

UDP on July 27.

Quote:

Address:701 W Georgia Street
DA: DP-2016-00107
Description: To replace the existing rotunda with a three-storey retail building at Pacific Centre Mall.
Zoning: CD-1
Application Status: Complete Development Application
Review: First
Architect: Perkins + Will (David Dove & Peter Busby)

logan5 · #**13817** Posted **Jul 21, 2016, 3:34 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Vancouver heritage advisory groups reject demolition of two historic Gastown buildings
http://www.straight.com/news/738356/vanc...emolition-two-historic-gastown-buildings

If the building is going to be completely gutted then forget it. For me it's just as important to preserve the interiors of these buildings as it is the exterior facades.

With that said though, Gastown and the rest of the DTES need more residents to bring great streets like Cordova back to life. The City should really relax density limits on empty lots or non heritage lots, as this would allow the right mass of new residents into the area while at the same time allowing for heritage buildings to be fully retained.

jlousa · #**13818** Posted **Jul 21, 2016, 3:49 AM**

The city does need to bring some people into the dtes, but it's got to be diversified mix of people. The plan they approved for the DTES certainly didn't help hence the lack of activity, while you have Chinatown exploding with developments due to more favourable conditions. My gripe with this proposal is the height I feel Gastown proper should stick to it's 75ft limits. Allow more height outside Gastown proper, but not within it. I wish they'd also have market units in this proposal instead of rental only. There isn't much supply of within Gastown for those interested in owning.

officedweller · #**13819** Posted **Jul 21, 2016, 4:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Moreover, once you destroy the heritage backside of these buildings, the historical charm (and thus potential Gastown-style greatness) of Blood Alley has largely been destroyed.

It is clear that any redevelopment must retain both the front and back facades, if you want Blood Alley to be a great part of Gastown.

Not to mention shadowing on Blood Alley.
A narrow alley would be more susceptible to shadowing than a wider street.

logan5 · #**13820** Posted **Jul 21, 2016, 4:06 AM**

I'd say it's a little early to write off the DTES plan. Eventually there will be a high demand for Oppenheimer. Anyways, aren't the social housing requirements pretty much the same as they were before this latest plan? 20% at shelter rate, then the rest of the social housing requirements are micro suites that end up being close to market rate (for micro-suites).