Downtown Vancouver Updates

[Metro-One]

Well, guessing the best part of this tower is gone, its bold color palette.

The black / deep red would have made an amazing impact on our urban form.

Ugh...

[csbvan]

I'll reserve judgement until I see a real rendering. Looking at the old version again, I can't help but think about how amateurish it was. Yikes.

[Metro-One]

The massing needed refinement for sure, but sucks to lose yet another attempt at a bold / different color scheme.

[officedweller]

Yeah, it would be nice to see an actual rendering.
I can't help thinking that the pointy roof/peak will just be an open framework, since it would not provide much useful space (not even enough for an elevator overrun/mechanical penthouse, and it is off-centre)

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Thanks for the post.

I wonder if the "Shadowing Consideration" (over Burrard & Davie) is mandated?
That carve-out fomo the tower form will be negated if the building on the corner is ever redeveloped any taller than it is now. That particular carve-out seems to reduce the usefulness of the upper parts of the tower.

Yes, the restriction against casting a shadow on the intersection of Burrard and Davie is the brainchild of city policy. The drastically reduced height and impractical cutouts are entirely the product of the city’s viewcone and shadow policies.

[Feathered Friend]

To Preserve 325 Carrall and Gastown’s Heritage, UDP Desires Taller Buildings, Lone Dissenter Feels Landmark is Forgotten

325 – 333 Carrall
This meeting started similarly to the Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee Meeting, as Human Studio Architecture once again impressed a review panel with their new toy. Described as Google Street View on steroids, GeoSim allows for an immersive 3D model that provides bird’s eye, ground level and other perspectives that are accurate to within a few centimeters. It allows the user to add and delete buildings, trees, weather conditions, and even infrastructure. The visual display was so effective, the panel didn’t even need to look at the physical model.

While a previous version of this proposal had been reviewed by GHAPC in late 2017, this one reflects the significant changes that panel had recommended. The tone of the UDP’s opening questions made it clear that the panel would be divided on this proposal. While some felt the urban context of Gastown would allow for taller buildings, and encouraged city staff to permit this, another was focused on this development’s interaction with the restoration of the nearby Merchants Bank Building, which is set to host office space, retail at grade and is owned by the same developer.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2018/07/03...e-dissenter-feels-landmark-is-forgotten/

[csbvan]

Yes yes yes! I love this project for the area. The dark colour scheme feels "grittier" in a way, they preserve the little brick building, and it's a finer-grained, slender development. This, along with the Merchant's Bank refurb will do a lot to help revitalize the area and tie it in with Gastown.

[officedweller]

I think I would have preferred to see a glass façade between the 2 heritage buildings rather than a black one.
(i.e. more like the way the John Fluevog store is "inserted" on Water St.)
The Merchant's Bank Building has intricate carvings and "fine grain"
- so this building can be restrained (plain) to let the Merchant's Bank predominate.
I'm curious to see how the grid on the proposal matches / aligns with the windows on the Merchant's Bank
- the model completely ignores / hides that relationship.

I'm not sure if black is the best colour for this neighbourhood.
Something more "uplifting" may have been better.

[logan5]

I'm the opposite. We need more black buildings. This looks fantastic.

I hope the UDP doesn't over-analyze this.

[osirisboy]

I thînk the black will make the neighbouring buildings pop. I'm way more in favour of black than more clear glass

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Davie Street, June 4 '18, my pic

An update of this view down Davie Street. The second crane has gone up at the old Safeway site. I dared to venture into the middle of Davie
Street to get this new pic which also includes the crane on the tower going up on the old London Drugs parking lot site.



Davie Street, July 3 '18, my pic

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

The construction of 530 Drake Street (across from Covenant House) is well under way now.
Feb.26 '18, my pics

Here's how it looked back in the summer of 2016 as the Immigrant Services Society building.
July 20 '16, my pic

Originally Posted by officedweller

Covenant House
from Van Maren twitter:

July 3 '18, my pics

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

June 4 '18, my pics

1661 Davie Street, former Safeway site. Second crane is now up.



July 3 '18, my pics

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

June 4 '18, my pics

"English Bay Residences" (former London Drugs parking lot on Davie Street).



July 3 '18, my pics

[jollyburger]

They're sticking a patio outside of the new Browns Socialhouse on 510 Seymour.

Is there any logic for buildings to have overhangs for weather protection then close it all off with a patio?

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

June 4 '18, my pics

1188 Bidwell Street.



July 3 '18, my pic

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

The Jervis (at Jervis and Davie) seems to be nearing completion.

May 1 '18, my pics

Originally Posted by officedweller

The Jervis

From Axoim twitter today:

July 3 '18, my pics

[Changing City]

288 East Hastings, the Wall Financial market / BC Housing non-market rental building looks as if it's finished. It's the third building to add yellow into that part of Downtown (The Flats on East Georgia was the first, and In Gastown on Powell the second). More details, unit count, etc on the Changing City blog.

My picture.

[Abii]

Jervis already looks dated and it's not even finished lol

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by Changing City

288 East Hastings, the Wall Financial market / BC Housing non-market rental building looks as if it's finished. It's the third building to add yellow into that part of Downtown (The Flats on East Georgia was the first, and In Gastown on Powell the second). More details, unit count, etc on the Changing City blog.

My picture.

Love this type of built form. I wish this was the common built form versus the 4-6 storey nonsense we see on Cambie