Downtown Vancouver Updates

[dleung]

2 things:

1. The Onni tower proposal is hideous even without considering "customizable units".

2. The Grovesnor plaza reno (or deletion of) is unfortunate and to me is a loss of public space, especially with that newly created narrow alley between it and the office tower

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Narrow, dangerous passage with hiding alcoves?

Looks narrower than in this rendering (even if it's wider section near Alberni)



https://www.biv.com/article/2015/3/kingswood-plans-build-new-retail-centre-alberni-st/

[Marshal]

Originally Posted by dleung

2 things:

2. The Grovesnor plaza reno (or deletion of) is unfortunate and to me is a loss of public space, especially with that newly created narrow alley between it and the office tower

It's not a loss of good public space, so much as a loss of potential for a good public space. I lived in the Carlyle for years and that space was dreary and almost unused except for smoking. But, I think a decent redesign could have produced an interesting little 'square.'

[Klazu]

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.

I never liked that design so much to begin with and it's just a filler tower. It will be lost in the midst of all the towers going up in that area. Same is starting to happen with The Mark as well, so they are fine.

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Oct.10 '16, my pics

The Ormidale on Hastings. I noticed that from a higher part of Victory Square you can get a look at the top of the new building behind the historical facade.




Oct.23 '16, my pics

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

The wraps are starting to come off and we can see the continuing restoration of the old Regal Place Hotel at 144 West Hastings Street.



Aug.17 '16, my pic

Oct.23 '16, my pics

[jlousa]

Fitting given the above pics of the immediate area.

128 W. Pender - Sun Tower Dome Resurfacing

A DE permit application and associated conservation plan have recently been approved to conserve the exterior of this “A” listed municipally designated building. The approved conservation procedures were primarily addressing the building envelop through a number of preservation and restoration based procedures. However, the applicant has requested an amendment to one of the procedures asking for a significant change of materials. Instead of restoring and replacing insitu the existing turquoise-painted original terracotta tiles on a dome roof surface, the applicant is considering the application of a heavy-weight sheet copper, pre-crimped and custom-pressed to exact tile profile, panels

[red-paladin]

Wow! It would really be a copper dome then, not a faux-copper dome!

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by red-paladin

Wow! It would really be a copper dome then, not a faux-copper dome!

This would be the first time the building gets a real copper dome, right? It's always been wood painted to look copper?

[red-paladin]

Originally Posted by Jebby

This would be the first time the building gets a real copper dome, right? It's always been wood painted to look copper?

Terracotta it says but yes, it's never been copper.

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by red-paladin

Terracotta it says but yes, it's never been copper.

For some reason I've always thought the dome was wood. According to Wikipedia it's painted steel. I think the facade is terracotta.

[excel]

This is awesome. Love the Sun Tower.

[mcminsen]

I believe the Sun Tower dome was painted to look like a copper patina for Expo 86. If they do make it copper then it would be a number of years before it turns colour. I wonder how long that process takes? Does the Graceland tower have a copper roof?

Speaking of new roofs, I've been looking at the new one on Christchurch Cathedral and it appears to be smooth metal. I think the old one was traditional wood shingle and I'm surprised that the new one is such a radical departure from the original. Here's a quick pic from the bus a couple of days ago. I'll try to get a better one soon.



Oct.23 '16, my pic

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

I believe the Sun Tower dome was painted to look like a copper patina for Expo 86. If they do make it copper then it would be a number of years before it turns colour. I wonder how long that process takes? Does the Graceland tower have a copper roof?

It can take a decade or more to get the current patina color. It will first turn a brownish color, then over time develop the greenish patina.

There are chemical processes that can hasten the process, I wonder if they'll do that.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Speaking of new roofs, I've been looking at the new one on Christchurch Cathedral and it appears to be smooth metal. I think the old one was traditional wood shingle and I'm surprised that the new one is such a radical departure from the original. Here's a quick pic from the bus a couple of days ago. I'll try to get a better one soon.



Oct.23 '16, my pic

Yikes!! It looks harsh!! I liked the old roof so much better - it provided a calm peaceful contrast, a peaceful, bucolic (if you will) corner in the heart of downtown.
This will look bizarre, unless it is made of a metal that will oxidize and turn green or brown. What did they have in mind anyway? Or will they recover this with wooden shingles?

[truenorth44]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

I think the old one was traditional wood shingle and I'm surprised that the new one is such a radical departure from the original.

I thought it was slate, but searching for info, I found this bit:

"The present roof of the cathedral dates back to 1979. The roof is a composite material made to look like slate but it contains asbestos and so the whole church will be wrapped in a protective covering when it is removed. "
http://www.vancouversun.com/Vancouver+Christ+Church+Cathedral+finds+voice/9974573/story.html

Originally Posted by Jebby

There are chemical processes that can hasten the process, I wonder if they'll do that.

This can also be accomplished with horse urine, which contains muriatic acid. According to the prof who educated us on that, the difficulty is, of course, getting the horse up on the roof.

[trofirhen]

Metal roof or not, I love the new bell spire!!! Heard it on the news article submitted by truenorth44. It really adds to the downtown ambience.

[retro_orange]

Originally Posted by truenorth44

This can also be accomplished with horse urine, which contains muriatic acid. According to the prof who educated us on that, the difficulty is, of course, getting the horse up on the roof.

You know what they say: You can lead a horse to a cathedral but you can't make him pee. (had to say it)

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by truenorth44

This can also be accomplished with horse urine, which contains muriatic acid. According to the prof who educated us on that, the difficulty is, of course, getting the horse up on the roof.

Or you can have the horse urinate in buckets. The difficult part is helping the horse aim. Not a job I'd volunteer for...

[red-paladin]

Rental Tower Slated for West End Includes 276 Units

Hollyburn Properties has submitted their rezoning application for the existing office/apartment property they own at 1640-1650 Alberni Street. The site is located within Area A of the West End Community Plan, and has been identified for rezoning potential for a building up to 385 feet.

The plan is to rezone and rebuild the RM-5C zoned, 17,296 SF (132′ x 132′) property with a new 42-storey residential apartment tower with a four-storey podium, including:

- 276 units of secured market rental housing;
- 172 one-bedroom units, 89 two bedroom units and 15 three-bedroom units;
- a total density of 13.69 FSR;
- five levels of underground parking with 148 vehicle parking stalls;
- 345 bicycle parking spaces; and
- a building height of 385 ft.

This application is being considered under the West End Community Plan and Rezoning -Policy for the West End.






...

From: http://www.vancouvermarket.ca/2016/10/25/rental-tower-slated-for-west-end-includes-276-units/