The Post | 67m | 27 fl | Completed - Page 10

officedweller · #**181** Posted **Apr 17, 2018, 9:21 PM**

Did you see Feathered Friends pics of the NEW model above?
That should answer your question.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Thank you for that link. Somehow, it doesn't surprise me that Amazon is coming. I'm cool with that. ... But ... what I want to know is .....
which design are they intending to use? The original "stepped tower" concept, or that grotesquely bland and utlilitarian "twin shoebox" thing?? This is a vital issue, IMO. Thank you.

Interesting point in the Vancouver Sun Article about Amazon owning Whole Foods.
I suppose if Amazon moves into The Post, that we might see a Whole Foods open up in there
- like how Real Canadian Superstore co-locates with its warehouses (although that was initially due to City of Vancouver restrictions on big box stores, which had an exemption for "ancillary" store uses, in the days when a grocery store over 30,000 sq ft was a "monster store". That's why for many years in the 1990s and 2000s there were no Save-on-Foods stores in the City of Vancouver - they were bigger than allowed - then the grocery store model changed and smaller stores came back into favour.)

LeftCoaster · #**182** Posted **Apr 17, 2018, 11:01 PM**

I'm surprised people aren't more floored by this news.

1,000,000 sq ft is unprecedented in Vancouver. Just as an FYI Teck, Goldcorp, Telus all take in the 100,000 to 200,000 sq ft range downtown.

This would change the face of downtown Vancouver if it comes to fruition.

Changing City · #**183** Posted **Apr 17, 2018, 11:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

I'm surprised people aren't more floored by this news.

1,000,000 sq ft is unprecedented in Vancouver. Just as an FYI Teck, Goldcorp, Telus all take in the 100,000 to 200,000 sq ft range downtown.

This would change the face of downtown Vancouver if it comes to fruition.

It's a massive single tenancy, if it comes true. It would make sense of the switch from the original plan for residential/mixed use to all commercial. What doesn't seem to add up in that story is the suggestion that Amazon would have 2,000 employees. If that's true, then a lot of the space would be occupied with something other than people - like a big warehouse / fulfillment centre with a lot of automation and relatively few workers. These days nobody occupies new office space at an average 500 sq. ft. per employee - not even lawyers. As the original plans had some less than ideal retail space in big boxes, a warehouse space might make more sense - although somebody might be upset that a potential Downtown mall might disappear.

The original proposal had 700,000 sq. ft. of residential, and 956,000 of commercial. That included 200,000 sq. ft. of above grade parking, 270,000 sq. ft. of retail and 512,000 sq. ft of office.

We'll see what the numbers are on the new version, but they can probably reduce the parking, if they want, and easily still have 1.3 million sq. ft. of commercial with two blocks over the heritage structure.

trofirhen · #**184** Posted **Apr 17, 2018, 11:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Did you see Feathered Friends pics of the NEW model above?
That should answer your question..../edit/....

Too bad; at least I think so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

I'm surprised people aren't more floored by this news.
1,000,000 sq ft is unprecedented in Vancouver. Just as an FYI Teck, Goldcorp, Telus all take in the 100,000 to 200,000 sq ft range downtown.

This would change the face of downtown Vancouver if it comes to fruition.

Yeas, but in what sense? A place with windows and connects with the pedestrian realm, or will it just be a pair of monster boxes? I'd hate to see Georgia East get 'uglified.'

LeftCoaster · #**185** Posted **Apr 17, 2018, 11:26 PM**

I'm talking about the identity of Vancouver, not some small time urban realm visuals. A 1,000,000 sq ft tenant downtown would singlehandedly flip the business culture of this city.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Changing City

It's a massive single tenancy, if it comes true. It would make sense of the switch from the original plan for residential/mixed use to all commercial. What doesn't seem to add up in that story is the suggestion that Amazon would have 2,000 employees. If that's true, then a lot of the space would be occupied with something other than people - like a big warehouse / fulfillment centre with a lot of automation and relatively few workers. These days nobody occupies new office space at an average 500 sq. ft. per employee - not even lawyers. As the original plans had some less than ideal retail space in big boxes, a warehouse space might make more sense - although somebody might be upset that a potential Downtown mall might disappear.

The 2,000 number is only what has been announced as of today. Amazon's plans for Vancouver, as are starting to slip out, are much MUCH more ambitious.

csbvan · #**186** Posted **Apr 17, 2018, 11:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

I'm talking about the identity of Vancouver, not some small time urban realm visuals. A 1,000,000 sq ft tenant downtown would singlehandedly flip the business culture of this city.

The 2,000 number is only what has been announced as of today. Amazon's plans for Vancouver, as are starting to slip out, are much MUCH more ambitious.

Indeed. I don't think that Vancouver's HQ2 submission was ever intended to "win" the competition, but instead increase Amazon's already well-established plan to grow its presence in the city.

It seems that Amazon is really pushing for a campus style presence downtown. They'll effectively dominate a small portion of the eastern downtown business district. Exciting.

Changing City · #**187** Posted **Apr 17, 2018, 11:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

I'm talking about the identity of Vancouver, not some small time urban realm visuals. A 1,000,000 sq ft tenant downtown would singlehandedly flip the business culture of this city.

The 2,000 number is only what has been announced as of today. Amazon's plans for Vancouver, as are starting to slip out, are much MUCH more ambitious.

Thanks for clarifying - that makes much more sense. It'll be interesting to see if Amazon are still looking at any of the other buildings in the area. (Presumably the 401 W Georgia Oxford Properties deal is secure). As well as the Westbank tower on West Georgia, that they were rumoured to be initially interested in, there's the other vacant site across the lane that could also get another office tower, as well as the Westbank Power Plant site that's now anticipated to be 100% office in its next iteration.

dleung · #**188** Posted **Apr 18, 2018, 2:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Thanks!!

I do agree that the office blocks just seem "plucked" onto the building, but at least it's not as crowded up there as with the previous proposal.
The worst part of it is the off-centre mechanical penthouse (Georgia side).
The Post Office building has classical symmetry - and that mechanical penthouse just screws that up.
(Presumably they placed it there to be under the higher view cone limit on that corner)

The Georgia tower should be set back. The model shows it almost overhanging Georgia St. (?!)

If they are orienting the office block east-west like that
- they should look to the original expansion plan for the building for façade inspiration.

i.e. a mixture of different grids - from punched out squares to larger grids.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/herita...ver/7004562164

Excellent hypothesis...wrt [Amazon]

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2018/0...nant-revealed/

The infrastructure in the building (driveways, ramps, etc.) would be ready made for an Amazon "last mile" distribution centre
- even if Canada Post abandoned the same uses at the facility.

That would also relieve the developer for filling large big box retail spaces, when the number of potential tenants is dwindling.

i.e. See this article on urban warehouses:

E-commerce 2.0: Last-mile Delivery and the Rise of the Urban Warehouse
https://www.naiop.org/en/Magazine/20...Warehouse.aspx

Yes totally agree with this vision. The previous design was atrocious. The current one is bland but has more of the robustness needed. Still prefer grid designs that match the original building more.

jlousa · #**189** Posted **Apr 18, 2018, 2:48 AM**

Great news if true about Amazon, and they aren't the only tech company that starts with an A that has recently taken office space in Vancouver.

Interesting times indeed...

csbvan · #**190** Posted **Apr 18, 2018, 3:41 AM**

So what is happening with the redevelopment? The Vancouver Sun article indicates that it is being put on hold, and that Amazon is interested in opening an office in the existing structure...

officedweller · #**191** Posted **Apr 18, 2018, 4:12 AM**

It's a hold in the change of plans sense (customizing for Amazon/AliBaba/whoever), rather than a bad sense (no market).

csbvan · #**192** Posted **Apr 18, 2018, 1:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

It's a hold in the change of plans sense (customizing for Amazon/AliBaba/whoever), rather than a bad sense (no market).

Ah ok, that makes considerable more sense. Thanks for clarifying.

Changing City · #**193** Posted **Apr 18, 2018, 4:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

There's a massive gap in the middle, I wonder if they are leaving it open for long term tower potential. The City has been wavering a bit on viewcones in this part of town and if they were able to put a tall office tower in the middle down the road this could be a big win for the site.

Would explain getting rid of the residential as they don't need to worry about residential separation issues (or a noisy strata come re-zoning).

Assuming the Amazon rumour is true, and this was to be used in part as a fulfillment centre, assuming the idea takes off, (sorry), could the space between the two towers be the location of a drone dock?

Feathered Friend · #**194** Posted **Apr 30, 2018, 2:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jougho

Prime Minister Trudeau will be in Vancouver tomorrow and will be making a big announcement with Amazon at the old post office building on Georgia at 9:30am.

- Moved the post over from the Downtown Thread.

I can also back this up, as I was recently told by an in-the-know source that John Horgan would be announcing a deal at the Post Office on Monday.

Changing City · #**195** Posted **Apr 30, 2018, 5:09 PM**

Perhaps the Deloitte logo on the model was a smokescreen. [edit - or maybe not; Sheba posted in the business thread that Amazon are taking 416,000 square foot of the building, which may leave the other tower for another ternant]. Amazon have announced they will add 3,000 more jobs in the city, on top of the 2,000 previously noted. Only a wobbly render of the new proposal on News 1130 so far, but it looks like it does pick up a grid like the original idea in the 1950s.

Vin · #**196** Posted **Apr 30, 2018, 5:17 PM**

I wonder if Amazon is doing what Microsoft has been doing all along: establishing a stepping stone centre for foreign talents wanting to work in Amazon's Seattle headquarters, but lacking the necessary green card. Is Vancouver's Amazon location going to be used as a halfway house too?

EastVanMark · #**197** Posted **Apr 30, 2018, 5:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tetsuo

What a boner killer

I like architecture as much as the next guy, but don't ever recall being sexually aroused by one.....

Changing City · #**198** Posted **Apr 30, 2018, 5:30 PM**

More details on the Quadreal website (including this image)

Prometheus · #**199** Posted **Apr 30, 2018, 5:33 PM**

The story from Techvibes, with an additional rendering:

Amazon Announces Plans to Expand Vancouver Tech Hub and Create 3,000 Additional High Tech Jobs

Quote:

Amazon today announced plans to expand its Vancouver Tech Hub and create an additional 3,000 jobs in fields including e-commerce technology, cloud computing, and machine learning.

To mark the company’s latest investment in Canada, Amazon welcomed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to an event with its Vancouver employees, at the site of its future 416,000 square foot Development Centre in Vancouver.

Today’s announcement is the latest milestone in the company’s ongoing job creation in Canada, where it already employs over 6,000 people.

“Amazon is excited to create 3,000 more highly-skilled jobs in Vancouver,” said Alexandre Gagnon, Vice President of Amazon Canada and Mexico.

“Vancouver is home to an incredibly talented and diverse workforce, and these thousands of new employees will invent on behalf of our customers worldwide. Thank you to Prime Minister Trudeau, Mayor Robertson, and all our partners across Vancouver and Canada for welcoming us and helping to foster a strong local innovation economy.”

“Our vibrant cities, which are home to some of the best talent in the world, are poised to attract premier investment that creates the jobs of tomorrow. Canadians share your passion for invention and your commitment to excellence – and that’s why we are excited to see Amazon grow here in Vancouver,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“Amazon’s decision to bring another 3,000 jobs to Vancouver is great news for our city’s booming innovation economy,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “We are home to the fastest growing, most resilient and greenest economy in Canada and Amazon’s major expansion in our city means more long-term jobs for people who want to live, work and build a future in Vancouver.”

Amazon currently employs more than 1,000 researchers and engineers in Vancouver, primarily creating new products and services for the company’s international retail business and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

As part of the retail operation, local employees work to enhance the customer experience in areas such as mobile shopping, delivery experience, payment options, and Alexa.

AWS’s teams in the Canadian city directly support local customers including Lululemon, BC Hydro, Vancouver International Airport, Unbounce, and Urthecast.

Additionally in Vancouver, the human resources technology team helps build the HR, recruiting and employee management software systems that support Amazon’s global workforce of over 560,000 employees.

Amazon will expand into a brand new location in QuadReal’s The Post redevelopment when the project opens in 2022. With state-of-the-art amenities and an easily accessible location for its employees, Amazon’s new Development Centre will sit above a city landmark.

This is in addition to Amazon’s current Vancouver offices – including its 156,000 square foot location in TELUS Garden which opened to Amazon employees in 2015.

On top of today’s announcement, Amazon also confirmed last November its plans to expand into another downtown site on Dunsmuir Street, which will open in 2020. The company expects to grow to 5,000 corporate employees in Vancouver in the coming years across all of its locations in the city.

Source: https://techvibes.com/2018/04/30/ama...uver-tech-hub#

Here is another rendering found on Daily Hive:

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/amaz...-redevelopment

osirisboy · #**200** Posted **Apr 30, 2018, 6:01 PM**

So with this taking up a whole city block it will only be 416,000 square feet? That's sad