Downtown Vancouver Updates

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

I couldn't disagree more with this. There are countless lots in the west end that do nothing to the vibrancy of the area, which needs improving imo

Great to see the changes taking place. Hopefully a lot more will happen in the coming years

Improving like Coal Harbour? A listless wasteland.

I didn't say no lots should be touched. I said the West End, as a dense and affordable neighbourhood, isn't the best candidate for more density. There are plenty of better candidate neighbourhoods for large additions of density. The West End will likely see slower, smaller-scale infill apart from the few nodes which have been designated for taller towers under the West End plan.

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by retro_orange

I agree, the rest of the city needs to catch up to near this density before we start eliminating the character of the neighborhood. Most notably, the roads will need to be widened in to the west end as it can be a nightmare to get out of with the amount of people that live there now. The 5 and 6 buses are always packed as it is and everyone knows how parking is a nightmare and has been for years.

Not to mention that it is actually fairly underserved by transit given its population.

[Klazu]

In my opinion West End doesn't need so much more density, but it needs a lot of renewal. There are so many ugly-ass concrete low and mid-rises that could be replaced with slightly taller towers from this decade. I still hope that it remains its own unexpected self.

[Aroundtheworld]

Originally Posted by retro_orange

I agree, the rest of the city needs to catch up to near this density before we start eliminating the character of the neighborhood. Most notably, the roads will need to be widened in to the west end as it can be a nightmare to get out of with the amount of people that live there now. The 5 and 6 buses are always packed as it is and everyone knows how parking is a nightmare and has been for years.

A better idea would be to serve it with rapid transit. I could see a line going to West Vancouver having some stops in the West End.

[WarrenC12]

^^^^ Agree. West End is plenty dense for now, especially without rapid transit.

[Migrant_Coconut]

SkyTrain to English Bay? Sign me up... but aren't West Enders generally anti-growth?

[scryer]

Originally Posted by csbvan

I couldn't disagree with this more. A successful, affordable and already dense neighbourhood shouldn't be the focus of a whole bunch more density. It should add more people, but at a slower rate. Other neighbourhoods need to catch up. The West End, perhaps the most vibrant part of Vancouver, has already carried its weight.

West End isn't that affordable anymore...

Anyhow while I do agree with you, the slower development that you describe is currently kind of retarded in the west end. If you walk down some of the residential streets, you'll notice applications for residential condos that are only like 5 floors tall. Each time I pass by those buildings I just kind of go "wtf" at some of these low-rise proposals. There's even one on Burnaby street trying to replace a 30 storey (or so) rental tower with a 5 storey luxury condo.

Now not every piece of land can handle a 40-storey highrise but proposals in the west end should at least be 10 floors or more, and they should also be rental/condo mixed. It's got enough neighbourhood character to last forever and these 5 storey luxury condos are just pushing people out of the city. There are certain parts in the West End where city council could experiment with this "housing choice" shit that they advertised, however they have no excuse not to bring some decent density. For example, there is literally a ton of opportunity to build apartments ontop of shops on Denman and Davie. And these apartments don't even have to be concrete; they can be wooden (if it's feasible) and 2-3 stories high so that you don't need to construct an elevator.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Klazu

In my opinion West End doesn't need so much more density, but it needs a lot of renewal. There are so many ugly-ass concrete low and mid-rises that could be replaced with slightly taller towers from this decade. I still hope that it remains its own unexpected self.

The problem is renewing them would result in the displacement of a lot of low/middle income earners in favour of the wealthy. Is that really worth the aesthetic improvement? Part of what makes it a great neighbourhood is the diversity of populations (age and economic).

I'd say the poorly built wood-frame condos on Fairview Slopes would be better candidates for replacement with higher density, especially with Skytrain coming.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by scryer

West End isn't that affordable anymore...

Anyhow while I do agree with you, the slower development that you describe is currently kind of retarded in the west end. If you walk down some of the residential streets, you'll notice applications for residential condos that are only like 5 floors tall. Each time I pass by those buildings I just kind of go "wtf" at some of these low-rise proposals. There's even on on Burnaby street trying to replace a 30 storey (or so) rental tower with a 5 storey luxury condo.

Now not every piece of land can handle a 40-storey highrise but proposals in the west end should at least be 10 floors or more, and they should also be rental/condo mixed. It's got enough neighbourhood character to last forever and these 5 storey luxury condos are just pushing people out of the city. There are certain parts in the West End where city council could experiment with this "housing choice" shit that they advertised, however they have no excuse not to bring some decent density. For example, there is literally a ton of opportunity to build apartments ontop of shops on Denman and Davie. And these apartments don't even have to be concrete; they can be wooden (if it's feasible) and 2-3 stories high so that you don't need to construct and elevator.

The West End should be the first application of the new "rental only" zoning. Nor more luxury condos.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by whatnext

The West End should be the first application of the new "rental only" zoning. Nor more luxury condos.

I agree.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by scryer

ment that you describe is currently kind of retarded in the west end. If you walk down some of the residential streets, you'll notice applications for residential condos that are only like 5 floors tall. Each time I pass by those buildings I just kind of go "wtf" at some of these low-rise proposals. There's even one on Burnaby street trying to replace a 30 storey (or so) rental tower with a 5 storey luxury condo.

What you're describing is most likely (99.9%) the addition of a infill building behind or on the side (separate) of the tower component as part of the City's laneway infill 2.0 program in the West End, which allows the potential of 4-6 storey rental only building that animates the lane.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

What you're describing is most likely (99.9%) the addition of a infill building behind or on the side (separate) of the tower component as part of the City's laneway infill 2.0 program in the West End, which allows the potential of 4-6 storey rental only building that animates the lane.

They're not rental as far as I can read.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by scryer

They're not rental as far as I can read.

GenWhy is correct - there are no proposals to reduce height or density of residential buildings in the West End at present. There are several 'laneway 2.0' projects beside and behind towers and old houses, and those will be rental. There's a four storey building proposed behind a 10 storey tower at 1160 Broughton, for example.

There are two condo projects at 5 storeys, at 1289 Nicola, but that's replacing existing single storey building, and 1021 Burnaby which is replacing a vacant surface parking lot. Both are under existing zoning, and the West End Plan didn't change what could be built in those locations.

Those are modest projects, but most of the West End Plan projects are towers, and so far there have been over 30 proposed. Some are 100% market rental, many are a mix of condo and non-market housing (as required by the plan) and a few on West Georgia are 100% condo, where the CAC payment is going to fund neighbourhood improvements including the replacement of the Community Centre.

[retro_orange]

Originally Posted by Changing City

GenWhy is correct - there are no proposals to reduce height or density of residential buildings in the West End at present. There are several 'laneway 2.0' projects beside and behind towers and old houses, and those will be rental. There's a four storey building proposed behind a 10 storey tower at 1160 Broughton, for example.

There are two condo projects at 5 storeys, at 1289 Nicola, but that's replacing existing single storey building, and 1021 Burnaby which is replacing a vacant surface parking lot. Both are under existing zoning, and the West End Plan didn't change what could be built in those locations.

Those are modest projects, but most of the West End Plan projects are towers, and so far there have been over 30 proposed. Some are 100% market rental, many are a mix of condo and non-market housing (as required by the plan) and a few on West Georgia are 100% condo, where the CAC payment is going to fund neighbourhood improvements including the replacement of the Community Centre.

I like the 1021 Burnaby proposal, It's odd that it's so short being a 1/3rd of a block from Burrard. Is it because the site is small? I'd be surprised if they couldn't purchase the low rises next door for a larger development lot.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Aroundtheworld

A better idea would be to serve it with rapid transit. I could see a line going to West Vancouver having some stops in the West End.

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

SkyTrain to English Bay? Sign me up... but aren't West Enders generally anti-growth?

The West End is already dense and high-growth, with more big-time growth coming down the pipe. Surely a couple of Skytrain stops would be serviceable there, IMO.

[SpongeG]

In this video it shows a building under construction on Comox and Jervis. Is it rentals or a condo? is it replacing something cause I can't remember what used to be there.

Video starts at building in question

https://youtu.be/kg81BLlCnDY?t=1271

[Graham_Yvr]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

In this video it shows a building under construction on Comox and Jervis. Is it rentals or a condo? is it replacing something cause I can't remember what used to be there.

Video starts at building in question

https://youtu.be/kg81BLlCnDY?t=1271

That used to be an old 3 storey walk up rental. They completely gutted it, right down to nothing. Just beams, no walls, nothing. From there they added what seems to be a 4th floor, and rebuilt it completely. A full new style. The interesting part is that there was never a rezoning or development application or even a notice for this project. I assume it will remain rental. I've been watching it with interest.

[SpongeG]

Ok thanks. Yea I have been watching it too and never get a chance t take a picture of it. I wondered why it was never discussed on here.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

SkyTrain to English Bay? Sign me up... but aren't West Enders generally anti-growth?

Not likely, but a good candidate for part of a downtown streetcar loop.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by Changing City

GenWhy is correct - there are no proposals to reduce height or density of residential buildings in the West End at present. There are several 'laneway 2.0' projects beside and behind towers and old houses, and those will be rental. There's a four storey building proposed behind a 10 storey tower at 1160 Broughton, for example.

There are two condo projects at 5 storeys, at 1289 Nicola, but that's replacing existing single storey building, and 1021 Burnaby which is replacing a vacant surface parking lot. Both are under existing zoning, and the West End Plan didn't change what could be built in those locations.

Those are modest projects, but most of the West End Plan projects are towers, and so far there have been over 30 proposed. Some are 100% market rental, many are a mix of condo and non-market housing (as required by the plan) and a few on West Georgia are 100% condo, where the CAC payment is going to fund neighbourhood improvements including the replacement of the Community Centre.

I stand corrected. Maybe it's time for an optometrist visit ? That's 2/2 posts where I messed up bad in the last week. Time to go back to reading school.