The Sinclair Centre returns to the Top 10 list for 2018, as this historic complex remains half-empty and deteriorating.
The federal government appears to remain interested in the relocation of their Vancouver offices and staff into one hub, and has been exploring site options, including an intensification of Sinclair Centre, also known as ‘Block 15’, which is bordered by Hastings, Granville, Howe, and Cordova Streets.
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Threat
In 2015 Vancouver City Council voted to allow Public Works & Government Services Canada, which manage Sinclair Centre, to submit a rezoning proposal to increase the maximum density from a floor space ratio (FAR) of 5:1 up to 17:1 or 20:1 FAR. Height would be increased to a total of 29 storeys, or 22 storeys on top of the existing complex.
This increased height of up to 29 storeys would meet the City’s policy for the retention of view corridors, but it is contrary to the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada. These provide direction for building additions to be ‘compatible, subordinate and distinguishable’ from the historic site, but the scale of this proposed tower would be enormous in relation to existing height and would radically change the heritage character of the four buildings. Seismic upgrades and the structure required to hold the weight of the tower would also result in the removal of portions of the historic structures and even the potential loss of one or two heritage buildings in entirety.
Despite the fact that Sinclair Centre has been designated with various levels of heritage status, the site is still at risk, because senior government is not required to comply with municipal policies and could add the tower without City approval. Notably, the federal government does not need to conform to the City’s policies regarding height and view cones.
Don't get me wrong, I want 140+ floor towers in Vancouver to happen by tomorrow .
But the Sinclair Centre is an architectural beauty.
They can gut it from the inside and re-do whatever that needs re-doing. But damnit, this is a great building to keep it the way it is. Even if it does get re-purposed for lower-rent offices, it should just be re-purposed.
Don't get me wrong, I want 140+ floor towers in Vancouver to happen by tomorrow .
But the Sinclair Centre is an architectural beauty.
They can gut it from the inside and re-do whatever that needs re-doing. But damnit, this is a great building to keep it the way it is. Even if it does get re-purposed for lower-rent offices, it should just be re-purposed.
Could do a Woodwards-style treatment and keep the facade for a new podium underneath a taller tower?
There's a sizeable courtyard behind one of the buildings (currently an atrium) from which an elevator core could possibly rise and the former alleys that are now mall passageways from which supporting columns could also rise.
So in theory, they could keep the buildings intact, with maybe some additional columns in places - like The Exchange
- or as mentioned, just preserve the façade.
There's a sizeable courtyard behind one of the buildings (currently an atrium) from which an elevator core could possibly rise and the former alleys that are now mall passageways from which supporting columns could also rise.
So in theory, they could keep the buildings intact, with maybe some additional columns in places - like The Exchange
- or as mentioned, just preserve the façade.
It would be interesting if they did renovate it and increase capacity because if they did maybe they might improve the connection to the Expo Waterfront station as that connection excavator is as old as the original Expo line. Also, it would be nice to see also at the same time maybe a connection to the Canada Line Water Front Station Entrance too with accompanying escalators and entry passage and connections. The building does need some TLC and all and more workers in the building could bring further life to the area around the building.
When the Canada Line was being designed, one option was for a station entrance through Sinclair Centre
- so it may be possible at the north end of the platform.
I think the reason they went for the in-street entrance on Granville was the early opening hours for the station for airport service
(5:30am?). At that time of day, even the Waterfront Station entrance is closed, or maybe just couldn't agree with the Feds.
Last edited by officedweller; May 23, 2018 at 3:23 AM.
I would hate to see the Sinclair Centre altered for another stubby office tower addition, but the benefits would outway the cost if a decent sized tower (say over 170 meters, or even better a new tallest for Van) were built into the existing structure (of course in all scenarios as much of the original building as possible needs to be retained).
I rather they get a heritage density transfer to some other property instead of mucking it up. If they add to it, it shouldn't be any more than 10-12 more floors - otherwise it will make the existing building look comically small. Queen Richmond Centre in Toronto is a good example that maintains a good visual separation between old/new and keeps the old in their entirety, and it was for less important buildings in a less central area
The City no longer entertains heritage density transfers, unfortunately.
This one could be a tall office building.
The feds want to land 1.1 million sq ft on top of the existing 390,000 sq ft. That is an additional 710,000 sq ft.
The most appropriate heritage treatment would be one single tower in the middle of the site, creating the largest possible setbacks from the heritage facades. Assuming an 18,000 sq ft floor plate up the tower that would mean a 40 storey office tower, or around 175m tall.
The City no longer entertains heritage density transfers, unfortunately.
This one could be a tall office building.
The feds want to land 1.1 million sq ft on top of the existing 390,000 sq ft. That is an additional 710,000 sq ft.
The most appropriate heritage treatment would be one single tower in the middle of the site, creating the largest possible setbacks from the heritage facades. Assuming an 18,000 sq ft floor plate up the tower that would mean a 40 storey office tower, or around 175m tall.
Are you assuming a view cone exemption because it's a Fed site? Or heritage?
Ugh wouldn't that be nice if the Feds built a tall tower and put an end to at least one useless viewcone.
The city either needs to get over their height problems or get over their fear of large floor plates. Meanwhile in Toronto you get things like 16 york going up which isn't that tall but will have around 800,000 sqft
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LeftCoaster
The City no longer entertains heritage density transfers, unfortunately.
Whaaaaaa???????
I guess the city wanted to pre-empt the vending of heritage density and instead grab that value for themselves by up-zoning instead? If so, it's exactly that kind of BS which gives me one less reason to ever do real estate in this city again. The City of Vancouver is always creating one more way to slush fund themselves into the greenest sh!tty in the world.
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The Feds have no obligation to follow City of Vancouver planning principles or bylaws.
They'll likely still play somewhat nice but they won't bend over backwards and will do what's most financially prudent at the end of the day.
Yeah, I know that the Feds can overrule but their initial proposal in 2014 indicated that it would adhere to the view cones and this isn't a minor consideration from the City's perspective, so it would surprise me to see Public Works push for it, particularly if they can accommodate the density without it.
107 metre tower is not worth it. Just leave the Sinclair Centre as it is.
Pretty much the only project I would be okay with on this site is what Leftcoaster hypothetically said earlier, a single tower in the Centre around 175 metres.
they should just build a 250m tower on the site in the middle, sleek and modern, and then lease out the left over office space to other companies. a middle finger to Vancouver's anti-pipeline stance. because why not spend a little extra for a lot extra.
Is this one actually back on the front burner? My understanding was it was a project of the previous Conservative government and was no longer in the works. Would be interesting to see the feds use the pipeline fight in this but I don't see it happening, publicworks will do what it can to keep it unpolitical, at least officially.
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because why not spend a little extra for a lot extra. 
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