[Burnaby] The Amazing Brentwood | 15 Towers | 186m | 56 flrs | U/C & Proposed

[Caliplanner1]

Good project planning thrusts entail being perceptive/forward thinking/proactive to even the smallest of issues/risk/problems towards taking the most effective preemptive action. Sometimes a tiny (seemingly non consequential issue) can blow up to become huge expensive mess!

[HelloKitty]

Thanks all for the info and heads up re likelihood increase in accidents with these phased ongoing construction/completion via-a-vis accessibility to the public, etc. That was food for thought.

It's always better to read constructive arguments/critiques/opinions here, not personal/judgemental-toned ones that may instigate heated replies. A little civility, "professionalism"/pro-active, non-reactive and fact-based discussion goes a long way and is always welcome.

With that said... in the real world (Lol) what else can anyone do about this potential safety issue but continuously observe and improve safety standards and implementation + risk management. Otherwise nothing would get done. Indeed now I'm curious how it'll actually be if the commercial portion gets opened to the public first.

[Marshal]

There is no likelihood of increased accidents simply because a project is phased. There are a long list of factors in combination behind accidents. In fact there is a specialized quasi-profession (both private and public) dedicated to the study and remedy of them. Construction Law is also quite developed in this area. In Europe, as with fire safety, they lean heavily on inspection/site policing; which works quite well. Similarly, we in North America, rely on more extensive codification of the processes involved. Our safety regulatory mechanism accounts for changes in scale, type, complexity, and technology to manage potential accidents in a nuanced manner. They are not the types to go off half cocked over sensational reportage: rather preferring detailed analysis and industry consultation to determine how things should be adjusted going forward.

[Marshal]

Originally Posted by Caliplanner1

Good project planning thrusts entail being perceptive/forward thinking/proactive to even the smallest of issues/risk/problems towards taking the most effective preemptive action. Sometimes a tiny (seemingly non consequential issue) can blow up to become huge expensive mess!

'Breathe!' Hah, I love it. You caught me in a terrible error. Come off it. I can't believe you are for real. For an experienced professional, you're exaggeration (with a smidge of catastrophe hysteria) is ridiculous. Nothing is going to be done on this project that is beyond today's norms - because nothing beyond normal is occurring on this project. If you want, I will call someone I know at EllisDon and see what's up.

Can you find the spelling gaff I left for you?

[SpongeG]

i stopped off at the london drugs in brentwood this evening, the mall was actually quite busy with people, the starbucks had a lot of people hanging out in and out etc. The Dairy Queen had a decent lineup. A number of people were walking there from the nearby houses to the east. I think once this place is done its going to be a popular place to hang out for the area residents.

[SpongeG]

on a different note if you want a great view, drive down willingdon from hastings, the tower at brentwood and solo frame a great view of metrotown, its pretty mindblowing how good it looks from there framed by the rising towers

[Caliplanner1]

Originally Posted by Marshal

'Breathe!' Hah, I love it. You caught me in a terrible error. Come off it. I can't believe you are for real. For an experienced professional, you're exaggeration (with a smidge of catastrophe hysteria) is ridiculous. Nothing is going to be done on this project that is beyond today's norms - because nothing beyond normal is occurring on this project. If you want, I will call someone I know at EllisDon and see what's up.

Can you find the spelling gaff I left for you?

LOL...Marshal, truth be told,...I have a lot of regard for your professional insight. A good/healthy dialogue is often of value,...if for no other reason than to keep the old brain ticking! No negative vibes here,..and thanks for the mental stimulation, man!

[chum8888]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

on a different note if you want a great view, drive down willingdon from hastings, the tower at brentwood and solo frame a great view of metrotown, its pretty mindblowing how good it looks from there framed by the rising towers

Its amazing how Brentwood has been transformed and its not even a quarter done. The view coming off of Hwy one gives me a Bellevue Wash. vibe.

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

on a different note if you want a great view, drive down willingdon from hastings, the tower at brentwood and solo frame a great view of metrotown, its pretty mindblowing how good it looks from there framed by the rising towers

I noticed the same and should get there to take a photo once back in Vancouver. I was also wondering where is Excel's view on previous page from...

[Marshal]

Originally Posted by Caliplanner1

LOL...Marshal, truth be told,...I have a lot of regard for your professional insight. A good/healthy dialogue is often of value,...if for no other reason than to keep the old brain ticking! No negative vibes here,..and thanks for the mental stimulation, man!

Same back at you. A little dust-up is just that, a little thing. All the best and I bet we do it again someday. (Sorry I don't use emojis, but clink-clink.)

And in general: I deviated a bit and literally just drove south on Willingdon from Hastings - in the deep blue dusk, with the lights just taking hold - beautiful!

[Marshal]

Originally Posted by chum8888

Its amazing how Brentwood has been transformed and its not even a quarter done. The view coming off of Hwy one gives me a Bellevue Wash. vibe.

except taller?

[officedweller]

Thanks for the pics and the confirmation re: screening of the darker material.

[HelloKitty]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i stopped off at the london drugs in brentwood this evening, the mall was actually quite busy with people, the starbucks had a lot of people hanging out in and out etc. The Dairy Queen had a decent lineup. A number of people were walking there from the nearby houses to the east. I think once this place is done its going to be a popular place to hang out for the area residents.

Yes I noticed this too for some months now, but especially these weeks. Even today all of a sudden Sears looks more alive. Lol! The warmer weather may have helped, and maybe students now on school break? Saw more parents shopping with their teens too.

[HelloKitty]

Also.. By the way, I've done some walking within the Home Depot-Gilmore Skytrain station/Solo/Amazing Brentwood/Brentwood Skytrain station area, while running some errands.

I thought it might be a long walk but it didn't feel like that on a lazy Saturday afternoon. Lol. Feels kinda like walking in the downtown/Yaletown area. Once many more of those high and low-rise residences are up and open, it will really be just like walking downtown, more conducive to walking...but on a smaller area/scale if you get my meaning. Very busy of course at the Willingdon/Lougheed intersection.

Takes maybe 15-20 mins more or less (one way), depends on your walking speed and stride length. Lol!

[sburnaby33]

Originally Posted by HelloKitty

Also.. By the way, I've done some walking within the Home Depot-Gilmore Skytrain station/Solo/Amazing Brentwood/Brentwood Skytrain station area, while running some errands.

I thought it might be a long walk but it didn't feel like that on a lazy Saturday afternoon. Lol. Feels kinda like walking in the downtown/Yaletown area. Once many more of those high and low-rise residences are up and open, it will really be just like walking downtown, more conducive to walking...but on a smaller area/scale if you get my meaning. Very busy of course at the Willingdon/Lougheed intersection.

Takes maybe 15-20 mins more or less (one way), depends on your walking speed and stride length. Lol!

I think with the 20 or so towers planned for the next five years it will have more of a city/downtown vibe than Metrotown. The density will make it feel that way, which is why I purchased in the area. Metro has some of those areas, such as Nelson St./Beresford/Station Square, but it feels more dispersed, especially with all the low rise buildings along Kingsway. One poster here called it the suburbs on steroids, which I agree with. The problem, to me, is the mall and its sheer size; it precludes arterial routes going north/south and gives it less of a city vibe.

[Metro-One]

There is more than one way to skin a cat.

Some of the most urban areas in Japan have massive mall complexes in the heart of them, others have countless little alleyways.

I feel too many people here are preoccupied with making every inch of the city a single urban form, which IMO is quite boring and dull (and limiting).

Metrotown could easily become a fantastic urban space while retaining the mall.

For me it actually feels more like a core than Brentwood. Brentwood will have many big towers and a nice new moderately sized mall, but Metrotown will still have more destinations. Love it or hate it but Metropolis is a destination, and it is not of the dying strip mall variety. It also has a healthy mix of office towers, a real city park with a decent sized stadium, etc...

[urbancanadian]

Shape is moving ahead with tower "five" (really the fourth tower).

It'll be 51 floors tall, like Brentwood THREE. All above a two-storey commercial podium. 506 units.

Link to the City Council agenda (page 96):
https://eagenda.burnaby.ca/sirepub/pubmtg.aspx?meetid=689&doctype=Agenda%20Packet%20--%20Compiled (16 mb)

[Marshal]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

There is more than one way to skin a cat.

Some of the most urban areas in Japan have massive mall complexes in the heart of them, others have countless little alleyways.

I feel too many people here are preoccupied with making every inch of the city a single urban form, which IMO is quite boring and dull (and limiting).

Metrotown could easily become a fantastic urban space while retaining the mall.

For me it actually feels more like a core than Brentwood. Brentwood will have many big towers and a nice new moderately sized mall, but Metrotown will still have more destinations. Love it or hate it but Metropolis is a destination, and it is not of the dying strip mall variety. It also has a healthy mix of office towers, a real city park with a decent sized stadium, etc...

Well put.

[vanman]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

There is more than one way to skin a cat.

Some of the most urban areas in Japan have massive mall complexes in the heart of them, others have countless little alleyways.

I feel too many people here are preoccupied with making every inch of the city a single urban form, which IMO is quite boring and dull (and limiting).

Metrotown could easily become a fantastic urban space while retaining the mall.

For me it actually feels more like a core than Brentwood. Brentwood will have many big towers and a nice new moderately sized mall, but Metrotown will still have more destinations. Love it or hate it but Metropolis is a destination, and it is not of the dying strip mall variety. It also has a healthy mix of office towers, a real city park with a decent sized stadium, etc...

I fully agree. Metrotown can urbanize and flourish while still retaining the mall. It is already happening. Beresford is slowly becoming a secondary commercial street with all of the new development happening south of the station. It already has a unique vibe with the well executed streetscaping and art component. Kingsway is even becoming attractive with Station Square. I was shocked when I first saw the completion of the new sidewalks and bike Lanes. If all of Kingsway from Willingdon to Royal Oak could look that would go a long way towards soldifiying Metrotown as an actual downtown with multiple attractive retail streets.

I'm very impressed with what is happening with Brentwood but I still think it feels suburban in character. The main culprit is the width of both Willingdon and Lougheed. As well as the barren and neglected skytrain guideway overhead. Tall towers don't change that fact.

Not to derail this discussion but I am currently in Tokyo. Do you have any recommendations for interesting neighbourhoods and architecture to see while I'm here? This city is so big and vast. I think I could spend multiple lifetimes exploring this city and still not have seen it all. Thanks in advance.

[GilmoreStation]

Originally Posted by urbancanadian

Shape is moving ahead with tower "five" (really the fourth tower).

It'll be 51 floors tall, like Brentwood THREE. All above a two-storey commercial podium. 506 units.

Link to the City Council agenda (page 96):
https://eagenda.burnaby.ca/sirepub/pubmtg.aspx?meetid=689&doctype=Agenda%20Packet%20--%20Compiled (16 mb)

HOORAY!!!!!! AMAZING News!!!

Now the question is... how much is it going to be to buy?