Downtown Vancouver Updates

[osirisboy]

I love it. But why didn't they fix and paint the bottom?

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

I love it. But why didn't they fix and paint the bottom?

Good question. I have a theory. Maybe there's some bad blood between the Kingston owner and Telus and he wanted to just let them look at that side every time they exit their parkade.




Oct.29 '18, my pics

fullsizeoutput_618d by mcminsen, on Flickr


fullsizeoutput_618c by mcminsen, on Flickr


fullsizeoutput_618b by mcminsen, on Flickr


fullsizeoutput_618a by mcminsen, on Flickr

[s211]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Good question. I have a theory. Maybe there's some bad blood between the Kingston owner and Telus and he wanted to just let them look at that side every time they exit their parkade.

Or maybe being saved for a planned/contrived urban guerrilla graffiti tableau?

"Oooooo. Look how gritty we are. Gritty's "tight"!"

[jollyburger]

Has anyone ever seen the West Pender Place light installation in operation recently?

[Feathered Friend]

Beautiful, Elegant, Minimal – Is this a Harbinger of Retail on Robson Street?

1394 Robson Street
Much the like the Urban Design Panel, both Hannah and I were a little confused about this building when we first saw it. When questioned, city staff explained that the proposal achieved the maximum height and density allowed under its current C-6 zoning. That answer still left me puzzled, as I couldn’t understand why the applicant didn’t submit a rezoning application, which could have allowed for a 30 floor residential building under the West End Community Plan.

It could be that the city policy which prohibits buildings from shadowing the north sidewalk of the Robson Village applies here, as there are no towers between Broughton and Burrard Street. This theory is supported by the building’s design, as it has been sculpted to avoid that very issue. In addition, city staff seemed to indicate a rezoning application could only have been considered if the building provided rental or non-market housing. The applicant team’s answer to the question was that the site was simply too small to allow for a tower. Frankly, I’m still a little perplexed as to the exact reasoning, but the answer appeared to satisfy the panel.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2018/11/06...-a-harbinger-of-retail-on-robson-street/

[BodomReaper]

Very nice write-up, as usual. Thanks so much for taking the time to produce these - you're such a bright spot in local urbanist discourse.

[giallo]

^Agreed.

[rofina]

Originally Posted by giallo

^Agreed.

Third! You guys truly are remarkable for undertaking this.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

Nice building, though it seems kind of silly to enforce shading rules when what was there before was much blockier. If we're going backwards in terms of sq/footage here is that progress?

PS shame there is no way for the city to force development of the lot kitty-corner to this!

[officedweller]

Agreed.
There's also towers on the next block - former Empire Landmark -
but I guess Broughton is the boundary of the shadow restriction.

[Feathered Friend]

New 49 Floor Building Could Tear Down the Illusion of Affordability on West Georgia

1450 West Georgia
One the biggest problems facing renters in our region is the continual erosion of existing rental buildings. While it makes sense that buildings, like all things, have a natural life span and eventually need to be replaced, the trade shouldn’t be that renters are forced out of our city. Fortunately, Vancouver isn’t like some other cities in the region, and has developed comprehensive policies to protect existing renters when the time comes for a building to be replaced with one that meets today’s safety codes.

It’s for those reasons that Hannah and I were happy to receive an email about this pre-application open house. Though, to be honest, given the neighbouring buildings at this intersection of West Georgia and Pender Streets, we have to imagine the design could look really amazing. After all, this area is already planned to host several examples of spectacular architecture, like the Kengo Kuma Building, the New York Style Passive House Towers, the Jenga Building, and several others. Hopefully, it will at least offer a friendlier pedestrian experience on West Georgia, as it calls for local retail stores at the street level instead of the current blank wall.

More importantly is that the applicant is required to follow the policies of the Rental Housing Stock Development Plan, which requires the replacement of all 162 rental homes that the Georgia Tower currently offers.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2018/11/08...lusion-of-affordability-on-west-georgia/

[Vin]

What is the remaining lifespan of 1450 W. Georgia may I ask?

[GenWhy?]

Great write-up! It's been a while since I looked at this project so I thought I was crazy and mixed up with the rental replacement.

I hope the housing teams communicated well with all tenants before the 20th. With the tenures of these renters it didn't look like that much of an issue. I always admire Viginia's work.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Vin

What is the remaining lifespan of 1450 W. Georgia may I ask?

Structurally?

[bc2mb]

New renderings of 1166 West Pender by Reliance.. former CRA site

[trofirhen]

IMHO, rather a nice building. Glassy and airy, interesting curves, in scale with the rest of the street......

[logan5]

Lots of solar gain.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by logan5

Lots of solar gain.

Looks like it, but maybe not. Firstly, this is a rezoning; they're establishing the shape and volume of the box, not the details of the design - that comes later. They say 'The ceramic frit reduces thermal transmission, lowering heating and cooling costs and improving the building’s sustainability.'

There are detailed sustainability comments in the application. They'll have to meet LEED Gold and certain energy points, but here's the main thing to note 'At this stage, the project is still in concept design where the building shape/massing and suite layout are subject to City approval and other changes. Additionally, the mechanical, electrical and envelope design are not fully defined, but instead, under exploration.' (Underlining is mine).

[ericmacm]

Wow, I like this new design for 1166 W Pender. I dig the curves with the sloping roof line. I hope that it doesn't change too much from that, but I'm sure it will, as it goes through the process. Vancouver really is on a roll with nice office building proposals.

[logan5]

I wonder how much value solar gain actually has in downtown Vancouver. In the winter months the sun is fairly low on the horizon (being that we're at a high latitude), and an office tower in downtown Vancouver will be in the shadow of countless other towers. Besides that, there are not a lot of sunny days in winter. The summer months are when the sun actually penetrates a building, so it would seem to me solar shading would be a more efficient design. If a little bit of frit reduces energy costs, why not take it further than that? Plus you would have a more interesting looking building, assuming a glass tint of one colour or another.