Downtown Vancouver Updates

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Update from today.

Aug.22 '16, my pics

Grosvenor Plaza construction on Alberni Street.



Sept.12 '16, my pics

[SFUVancouver]

^ This is a nice under-the-radar project that will add texture and variety to the street. As much as I love big, bold office, mixed-use, and significant retail projects, there's a lot to be said for these small incremental moves to fill in missing teeth in a CBD.

Thanks for the photo-update, Mcminsen.

[jollyburger]

RIP Cherry Blossoms

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Some pics of Burrard Bridge.

June 19 '16, my pic

I took a few quick pics of the Burrard Bridge and intersection work at the north end a few days ago when I went by.



Sept.11 '16, my pics















Looking west:

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

I was taking those pics about 5:15 so it probably wasn't me. I also saw a couple other people taking pics around that time.

It looks like they'll save at least three sides of the facade, including the back alley side. It'll make their job more difficult and mine too as I try to get pics of the excavation from ground level.



Sept.13 '16, my pic

I think I saw ya there, I was the d-bag in the full suit and tie talking the poor architect's ear off.

Important to note before someone makes the classic call taht the tower is boring... it is a pre-application open house so the tower is only a massing at this point.

I noted on the comment card that animation and pedestrianization of the alley should be a key component of the project, both for the city and for the future residents of the tower.

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

I think I saw ya there, I was the d-bag in the full suit and tie talking the poor architect's ear off.

Important to note before someone makes the classic call taht the tower is boring... it is a pre-application open house so the tower is only a massing at this point.

I noted on the comment card that animation and pedestrianization of the alley should be a key component of the project, both for the city and for the future residents of the tower.

Wow, they seem to be retaining the full facade of the building, all the way around. That's good. I agree about the alley. I have actually always thought about that alley being pedestrianized when walking by.

[vanman]

Originally Posted by officedweller

More recent pics of the Grosvenor project on the Il Giardino site.
Staggered vertical stripes on the north and south facades.

Thanks for posting.

Looks good but I prefer the original rendering with the horizontal banding on all sides.

[officedweller]

Good point about shadowing Terry Fox Plaza if the tower were on the Back Forty site
(apart from the view cone preventing the tower on that side).

I suppose that in theory they could have gone for a midrise slab stepping down towards BC Place.

Hopefully the small building on the Back Forty site will be a unique character building
- but I see that's the hotel - so they'll probably want regular floorplates.

[officedweller]

Thanks for the pics of the cantilevered outriggers on Burrard Bridge!

[officedweller]

Articles about the pedestrianization of downtown laneways - spearheaded by DVBIA:

Three downtown Vancouver alleys to get makeovers

Matt Robinson
Published on: September 13, 2016 | Last Updated: September 13, 2016 4:38 PM PDT
...
The laneway south of West Hastings Street, between Seymour and Granville streets, is the first of what the partners hope will become a network of connected spaces, each with its own unique theme and identity. They’re intended to be spaces where people can mingle, play or even hold events.
...
Two other re-imagined laneways are in the works. The first is slated for east of Granville Street between Smithe and Robson streets and the second is destined for south of Alberni Street between Burrard and Bute streets.

http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/three-downtown-vancouver-alleys-to-get-makeovers


Downtown Vancouver laneway revitalized as pedestrian-friendly area
http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/west-hastings-laneway-pedestrianized


Image: Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association
http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/west-hastings-laneway-pedestrianized

Looks gaudy.


http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/west-hastings-laneway-pedestrianized

[djh]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Articles about the pedestrianization of downtown laneways - spearheaded by DVBIA:


http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/three-downtown-vancouver-alleys-to-get-makeovers


Downtown Vancouver laneway revitalized as pedestrian-friendly area
http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/west-hastings-laneway-pedestrianized


Image: Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association
http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/west-hastings-laneway-pedestrianized

Looks gaudy.


http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/west-hastings-laneway-pedestrianized

I was interested to see this.

How will the blocks with the makeovers handle their normally alleyway-based activities now?

For example, will garbage collection be moved to the front of the block? Will the garbage trucks going along the alleyways have to be re-routed onto the main roads just for those blocks with the makeovers, and then back to the alleyways on the proceeding blocks?

Will commercial deliveries be re-routed to the main (front) entrance, or will commercial vehicles have very strict access hours?

Will all of the utilities be buried to give more space and less obstructions in the alleyways?

Will the spaces revert to normal alley use during certain times of the day/week/year/after a trial period?

And lastly, how will the city keep the alleyways as clean and safe (and urine-free) as they do with the normal sidewalks? E.g., will the police make the alleyeways part of their normal downtown walking beat, will pedestrians be encouraged (diverted?) down the alleyways to ensure they are used? Will there be the same street lighting density (or perhaps more) than you would find on the normal pavements? Etc.

I really hope it's a success and becomes a trend. So much could be done with those spaces, as long as it doesn't interfere with the businesses in the front of the buildings

[jollyburger]

I walked past and was wondering what they were doing.

From the article: businesses will maintain and monitor the spaces, still be used for garbage collection.

I doubt they are burying any utilities and there are garbage containers in the laneway so it probably will stink regardless of any urine.

Anyone want to take a bet on how big of a failure this project will be?

[Jebby]

Hopefully it's better designed than the Telus alley.

They need to have lots of commercial frontages onto the alley otherwise it's going to be a failure.

[jollyburger]

Can't wait to enjoy my laneway time covered in pigeon poop.

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I walked past and was wondering what they were doing.

From the article: businesses will maintain and monitor the spaces, still be used for garbage collection.

I doubt they are burying any utilities and there are garbage containers in the laneway so it probably will stink regardless of any urine.

Anyone want to take a bet on how big of a failure this project will be?

Well,it looks like they already buried all the utilities

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Well,it looks like they already buried all the utilities

There's also one of the new lamp posts that someone commented on in the Exchange thread (next block down).

[Jebby]

What worries me are the black concrete walls, especially at ground level. Hopefully they're punched out and they put in cafes and restaurant entrances along the alley.

[officedweller]

Usually buildings have loading bays, mechanical and emergency exit stairs, etc. along their back walls - i.e. on the service lane.

[trofirhen]

I was very pleased to read that this is "The First of Many," meaning that this is going to be down elsewhere in the central city. Maybe taking a leaf out of Melbourne's book.

[lotuseater]

Originally Posted by retro_orange

It's kinda ridiculous that they call this building heritage. The structure may be 100+ years old but that entire facade; windows, cornice and all was put on in the 90's and is very 'of the era'. Nothing original remains and the grey just makes it look sad... why is colour dying??

not sure anyone would call this heritage... old, and now old and grey and dated... yes. It's not on the City's Heritage Registry. http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/V001-vancouver-heritage-register.pdf