Downtown Vancouver Updates

[hotwheels]

Vancouver's 42-Storey Empire Landmark Hotel Targeted for Demolition

Condominium projects have taken over the skies of Vancouver, changing the composition of the downtown core along the way. Most of these developments are replacing surface parking lots or low-slung buildings, but a new proposal for a valuable lot along Robson Street — one of the city's main thoroughfares — underlines just how hot the residential property market really is.

[Smooth]

Originally Posted by Spork

Can anybody explain to me why they are building temporary housing and not permanent housing? Is there some sort of mining boom in Shaughnessy that requires temporary housing for all of the workers that are moving here?

Probably because doing this requires next to no public consultation.

I take issue with this proposal because it's at a major intersection, next to transit, at the gateway to the city. This land could have been sold and the City probably could have still required 40 units of social housing be included in a new development. That option would have freed up cash to build even more housing elsewhere.

In all likelihood this "temporary" housing will remain for 15-20 years and look like a total slum by the time a future government makes the decision to redevelop it. At that time there will probably be protests about a heartless government displacing residents.

[BodomReaper]

Originally Posted by Smooth

Probably because doing this requires next to no public consultation.

I take issue with this proposal because it's at a major intersection, next to transit, at the gateway to the city. This land could have been sold and the City probably could have still required 40 units of social housing be included in a new development. That option would have freed up cash to build even more housing elsewhere.

In all likelihood this "temporary" housing will remain for 15-20 years and look like a total slum by the time a future government makes the decision to redevelop it. At that time there will probably be protests about a heartless government displacing residents.

Totally agreed. I seriously think that this project is an example of a hard-left council (talk to them in private if you don't believe me) actively trying to troll what they would deem the "neoliberal order", which they see as dominant rather than their own unlimited power.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Spork

Can anybody explain to me why they are building temporary housing and not permanent housing? Is there some sort of mining boom in Shaughnessy that requires temporary housing for all of the workers that are moving here?

Yup, there are currently "mining operations" for cans, bottles and cigarette butts everywhere in downtown Vancouver.

Another disappointment regarding that Main Street skytrain station corner! See how hopeless Vancouver is already.

[MIPS]

Originally Posted by hotwheels

Vancouver's 42-Storey Empire Landmark Hotel Targeted for Demolition

WHAT?!

For cruddy condos?? Absolutely disgusting!

[retro_orange]

Originally Posted by MIPS

WHAT?!

For cruddy condos?? Absolutely disgusting!

Empire Landmark Hotel Redevelopment ( 1 2 3)

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by MIPS

WHAT?!

For cruddy condos?? Absolutely disgusting!

You just heard about this now?

This news has made me quite angry for weeks.

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

You just heard about this now?

This news has made me quite angry for weeks.

It´s only been two weeks...

[MIPS]

+1 for me not being able to read the other threads. Whoops.

Still, that's nuts.

[Metro-One]

Yeah, it is asinine and is a complete mirror reflection of when they were tearing down buildings in the 60s and 70s.

Major loss for our city and skyline.

[Prometheus]

You people do realize that the height of the new Landmark proposal is the product of city policy, not developer preference. The redevelopers of the Landmark site are not "choosing" to build a substantially shorter tower than they otherwise could build. Current city policy has left them no choice. The proposed height of 300 feet is the maximum allowed by city council under its West End Community Plan, more than 80 feet shorter than a tower constructed almost a half-century in the past.

I suppose this was the next logical step under current city policy: It's not a big leap from preventing a city from growing taller to forcing it to shrink shorter.

[MIPS]

The view cone policy can get stuffed in a weighted net and dumped in the inlet.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

You people do realize that the height of the new Landmark proposal is the product of city policy, not developer preference. The redevelopers of the Landmark site are not "choosing" to build a substantially shorter tower than they otherwise could build. Current city policy has left them no choice. The proposed height of 300 feet is the maximum allowed by city council under its West End Community Plan, more than 80 feet shorter than a tower constructed almost a half-century in the past.

I suppose this was the next logical step under current city policy: It's not a big leap from preventing a city from growing taller to forcing it to shrink shorter.

Thank God the entire region isn't amalgamated with building policies dictated by Vancouver. There is still hope left in Burnaby.

No viewcones:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Another 6000 McKay pic e-mailed out:

http://app.lassocrm.com/mailing/recipien...DMmHG830D67%252Bk4okXb9%252BmQ%253D%253D

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by Vin

Thank God the entire region isn't amalgamated with building policies dictated by Vancouver. There is still hope left in Burnaby.

No viewcones:

It's not just viewcones, that's a much smaller impact than FSR limits as well as restrictive zoning preventing more mixed-use developments, lane-facing housing (it's very limited), rowhouses, etc.

For a city that considers itself so liberal, CoV's zoning policy sure is regressive.

[urbancanadian]

Some unwelcome news, to me at least: I noticed on the Changing City website that Townline has sold their property at 1335 Howe to Onni.

Onni is retaining the design, but according to their website the tower will contain "A limited collection of customizable residences in downtown Vancouver". Basically this could be a repeat of The Mark, with random spandrel decorating the building facade. Hopefully the larger, staggered balconies hide will it, but it doesn't sound promising overall...

Reminder of the design:


https://changingcitybook.com/2016/10/16/1335-howe-street/

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Grosvenor Plaza construction on Alberni Street.

Sept.12 '16, my pics

Oct.15 '16, my pics

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Jebby

It's not just viewcones, that's a much smaller impact than FSR limits as well as restrictive zoning preventing more mixed-use developments, lane-facing housing (it's very limited), rowhouses, etc.

For a city that considers itself so liberal, CoV's zoning policy sure is regressive.

Agreed, agreed. Policies pre-mid 80s seem more progressive in many ways.

[officedweller]

Narrow, dangerous passage with hiding alcoves?

[BodomReaper]

Originally Posted by urbancanadian

Some unwelcome news, to me at least: I noticed on the Changing City website that Townline has sold their property at 1335 Howe to Onni.

Onni is retaining the design, but according to their website the tower will contain "A limited collection of customizable residences in downtown Vancouver". Basically this could be a repeat of The Mark, with random spandrel decorating the building facade. Hopefully the larger, staggered balconies hide will it, but it doesn't sound promising overall...

Oh no, my thoughts exactly. Not a promising-looking design to begin with, but at least Townline are one of the better tower developers. Now we're probably in for the Mark II, down to the very similar podium.

[officedweller]

Façade restoration at the former BMO / now SFU on Granville:


https://twitter.com/GranvilleStreet