Downtown Vancouver Updates

[SFUVancouver]

Originally Posted by Vin

Told ya so. UDP loves stuff like that, and architects know better now, so if they want crap, they get crap.

Vin, did you read the article? The UDP hated it. It sounds like it was narrowly passed because it met the "use" and "density" elements of the "use-form-density" input the UDP is asked to provide. "Form" is a hot mess and if one showed this proposal to me and said that it was from the late 90s, I would believe it in a heartbeat and think it was a miss even then.

[LeftCoaster]

Of course not. That would require spending more than 3 nanoseconds of critical thought before coming to a conclusion.

This was a rezoning urban design review, so more associated with form and massing. The critical design review will come at DP, and this tower will almost certainly be going back to UDP at its DP stage given the highly critical tone of the review itself.

The UDP did exactly what they should have here, keep the process moving while letting staff and the applicant know that the current design is unsatisfactory.

[officedweller]

401 West Georgia

Pic by me yesterday.
Starting to haul down the beam (which is hollow).

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

April 29 '19, my pics

I thought I would circle around the back side and get some views from the alley and Pendrell Street.





May 6 '19, my pics

[Prometheus]

Interesting perspective. Thank you for the update, mcminsen.

Looking forward to seeing whether any of these Davie developments will bring anything valuable at street level (i.e., appealing new retail/commercial spaces that are able to increase urban vibrancy).

Based on this photo, this one doesn't look promising. It doesn't seem to have any interaction with the street:

Originally Posted by officedweller

https://twitter.com/urbanYVR

[officedweller]

That one is, however, very prominent on the skyline with the blue glass on the balconies.

[Vin]

That kinda reminds me of the 60s-built Blue Horizons Hotel on Robson. Agree with the terrible street interaction, but nice to have the awning for the rainy days.

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by officedweller

That one is, however, very prominent on the skyline with the blue glass on the balconies.

Yes, the English Bay Residences provides a nice little jolt of colour.



May 6 '19, my pic

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Yes, the English Bay Residences provides a nice little jolt of colour.

But have you noticed whether there is any street-facing retail in the podium or just a private amenity space behind a glass wall now? If the latter, that's totally sad. I hope that photo is misleading.

[SpongeG]

is there a chance that the building with the TD will get redeveloped?

[Vin]

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

Vin, did you read the article? The UDP hated it. It sounds like it was narrowly passed because it met the "use" and "density" elements of the "use-form-density" input the UDP is asked to provide. "Form" is a hot mess and if one showed this proposal to me and said that it was from the late 90s, I would believe it in a heartbeat and think it was a miss even then.

And so why was it passed if it was "hated" in the first place? I think they accepted it in general because it conformed to their own criteria. It would've been rejected if they actually hated it, and send it back to the drawing board.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Vin

And so why was it passed if it was "hated" in the first place? I think they accepted it in general because it conformed to their own criteria. It would've been rejected if they actually hated it, and send it back to the drawing board.

I think you answered your own question.

[officedweller]

Found this:

PAVCO has applied to the City of Vancouver to rezone 777 Pacific Boulevard from BCPED (BC Place/Expo District) to CD-1 (Comprehensive Development) District. The purpose of the rezoning is to allow a mixed-use entertainment complex including two hotels, a casino, restaurants, theatre, and a cabaret. The project design features two hotel towers above a 4-storey podium that includes the casino and other commercial uses. The north tower (adjacent to Expo Boulevard) is approximately 67 m in height and the south tower (adjacent to Pacific Boulevard) is approximately 92 m (south) in height. Both towers respect the view corridor height limits.

https://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applications/777pacificblvd/

However, the staff report said this:

Definition of “Destination Casino”

The term “Destination Casino” was first introduced in British Columbia in the late 1990s,
when the Province implemented the program to establish a range of casino experiences,
from a typical gaming-only operation to a more diversified entertainment destination
that includes multiple program elements ranging from dining venues and live lounges to
integrated hotel and special event facilities. Originally, local governments hosting
destination casinos were allocated 1/6 of the net revenue (16.66% of net revenue), but
this practice has been discontinued. Presently all local governments hosting casinos
receive 10% of the net revenue, with one exception — the Casino of the Rockies in
Cranbrook.

A good example of a destination type of casino is the River Rock Casino located in
Richmond, which offers a range of entertainment options beyond the casino, including a
hotel, a 950-seat theatre, conference facilities, and seven dining and beverage facilities.
While the current proposal does offer most of the same items as the River Rock in
Richmond, it does not offer a large performance theatre. The applicant has not
included a large performance space in their proposal as it would be redundant to
facilities in Rogers Arena and BC Place (which due to the roof replacement and facility
upgrade will be able to be configured for concerts using only a portion of the total seats
within the stadium). The applicant has also indicated that they do not wish their
facilities to compete with existing theatre venues in Vancouver, such as the Centre for
Performing Arts and Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

https://council.vancouver.ca/20110217/documents/phea6memo.pdf

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

But have you noticed whether there is any street-facing retail in the podium or just a private amenity space behind a glass wall now? If the latter, that's totally sad. I hope that photo is misleading.

There are retail units on the main floor of 1668 Davie. As it was previously just a parking lot, it will add to the retail continuity of this stretch of Davie.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

is there a chance that the building with the TD will get redeveloped?

It seems a bit unlikely - 28 strata units and retail built in 1993. If the building required a major update, maybe, but units currently sell at $1,000 per sq. ft. so it's not a cheap site to acquire.

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by Changing City

It seems a bit unlikely - 28 strata units and retail built in 1993. If the building required a major update, maybe, but units currently sell at $1,000 per sq. ft. so it's not a cheap site to acquire.

Well I wouldn't put it past a developer depending on what they could build there

What was there before it was built in 93?

[Vin]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

I think you answered your own question.

Nope, not at all.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Well I wouldn't put it past a developer depending on what they could build there

What was there before it was built in 93?

I'm not sure. There were houses on the next block down (the 1700 block) in the late 1950s (below), and it looks like modest residential uses on this block as well through the 1950s.

[source: City of Vancouver Archives]

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Based on this photo, this one doesn't look promising. It doesn't seem to have any interaction with the street:

Yeah, the architect's website shows retail doors where there are none.
Access could be in the alcove near the apartment entrance if it's for a restaurant space.

http://www.da-architects.ca/our-projects/1668-davie-street/

[osirisboy]

Is that an elevator door opening up to the sidewalk on the left?