The Independent (180 Kingsway) | 64.7m | 19fl | Completed

[WarrenC12]

So they put evergreens up there? Maybe that's a smarter choice than the typical tree varieties normally used.

I can tell you they would not have survived last summer without significant effort, or a well functioning irrigation system.

[Klazu]

Just how late is this project? They have been building this forever.

[mcminsen]

Whatever care the trees got last summer was still inadequate. I wonder if they replaced some of the trees that died.



Aug.22 '17, my pic



Sept.8 ’18, my pic



May 4 '19, my pic

[mcminsen]

I think I see signs of life. In the apartments overlooking the alley.




June 1 '19, my pics

fullsizeoutput_8039 by mcminsen, on Flickr


fullsizeoutput_803b by mcminsen, on Flickr


fullsizeoutput_803a by mcminsen, on Flickr


fullsizeoutput_8035 by mcminsen, on Flickr


fullsizeoutput_8036 by mcminsen, on Flickr


fullsizeoutput_8037 by mcminsen, on Flickr


fullsizeoutput_8038 by mcminsen, on Flickr

[officedweller]

Wow - gas was cheap over there - I only saw 157.9.

[mcminsen]

For the first time today I saw no sign of active construction on the outside. Still no sign of anybody living in the tower, though.




June 7 '19, my pics

[retro_orange]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

For the first time today I saw no sign of active construction on the outside. Still no sign of anybody living in the tower, though.




June 7 '19, my pics

This tower turned out quite handsome from that vantage point, the brick detailing is quite extensive all around. It would have been nice to have an entrance for the CRU at the SE corner under the awning, that would have made a nice restaurant patio. Is the lobby and residential interiors complete now?

[Shift]

According to Craigslist, you can rent a 1 bedroom apartment in the hip new independent for $2500 anytime after June 20

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van/apa/d/vancouver-brand-new-one-bedroom-and-den/6908861552.html

[retro_orange]

Originally Posted by Shift

According to Craigslist, you can rent a 1 bedroom apartment in the hip new independent for $2500 anytime after June 20

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van/apa/d/vancouver-brand-new-one-bedroom-and-den/6908861552.html

Yikes. Lots of deep usable built in cabinetry and has a den but I still don't think it should be more than 1900; if that. No pets either. Just a single kitchen sink too.

Shows that pre sale prices were too high to be covered by renting in a market that has changed since these suites were sold. At the time it made financial sense to build a stunning showroom that would have made a beautiful house or retail space only to tear it down a few months later because if i remember correctly, the building was mostly sold out before the sales centre opened. The remaining suites had awful layouts like 2 bed suites starting at 646sf and a number of layouts that had windowless bedrooms... It will show more as more of these top of the market spec condo suites across the metro start coming online.

It's definitely gonna be more affordable to rent a new suite in a purpose built rental building instead of someones poor investment.

[Hmoob]

Originally Posted by retro_orange

Yikes. Lots of deep usable built in cabinetry and has a den but I still don't think it should be more than 1900; if that. No pets either. Just a single kitchen sink too.

Shows that pre sale prices were too high to be covered by renting in a market that has changed since these suites were sold. At the time it made financial sense to build a stunning showroom that would have made a beautiful house or retail space only to tear it down a few months later because if i remember correctly, the building was mostly sold out before the sales centre opened. The remaining suites had awful layouts like 2 bed suites starting at 646sf and a number of layouts that had windowless bedrooms... It will show more as more of these top of the market spec condo suites across the metro start coming online.

It's definitely gonna be more affordable to rent a new suite in a purpose built rental building instead of someones poor investment.

Why do you say purpose built rental will be more affordable for the renter? Honest question

As I understand it, the unfortunate investor will have to lower their asking rent until someone takes it, lest they subject themself to the vacant home taxes. If it's still less affordable, that would mean that some aspect of it is more desirable.

[retro_orange]

Originally Posted by Hmoob

Why do you say purpose built rental will be more affordable for the renter? Honest question

As I understand it, the unfortunate investor will have to lower their asking rent until someone takes it, lest they subject themself to the vacant home taxes. If it's still less affordable, that would mean that some aspect of it is more desirable.

Because new 1 bed suites in purpose built apartment buildings are a better deal for what you get. A comparable new 1 bed suite in a purpose built building in East Van is around $1800-1900. The new rental tower at Brentwood station has similar sized suites starting at $1700.

You can get a nice fully renovated suite nearby on Commercial for $1565: https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van/apa/d/vancouver-1-bedroom-available-july-1st/6908828368.html

[Hmoob]

Originally Posted by retro_orange

Because new 1 bed suites in purpose built apartment buildings are a better deal for what you get. A comparable new 1 bed suite in a purpose built building in East Van is around $1800-1900. The new rental tower at Brentwood station has similar sized suites starting at $1700.

You can get a nice fully renovated suite nearby on Commercial for $1565: https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van/apa/d/vancouver-1-bedroom-available-july-1st/6908828368.html

Maybe there are enough renters willing to pay premium to live in the centre of Mount Pleasant and the extra $$ a month seems like a good deal for that location.

"What you get" is pretty subjective. The linked suite on commercial doesn't look as nice as the above-linked suite in the Independent, and it doesn't have an elevator. Maybe that doesn't matter to you. If my tenant ever moves out, I'll be listing my one bedroom basement suite for less than $1000, pretty decent location in East Van and arguably a very good deal. It's pretty dark and won't appeal to everyone, but someone will be happy to take it at that price. My basement isn't purpose built rental.

I'm not trying to determine what attributes you find important in housing and what your not willing to pay for. I'm curious what makes purpose built rental more affordable to rent than "someones poor investment", other considerations aside.

[officedweller]

From Acton Ostry twitter:


#AOAproject sneak peek of The Independent's inner courtyard @RizeAlliance in #yvr @MountPleasantBC neighbourhood.
Visit our @actonostry instagram for more views, or our website for project info https://bit.ly/2WGhp7f
https://twitter.com/actonostry


https://twitter.com/actonostry


https://twitter.com/actonostry

[whatnext]

[QUOTE=officedweller;8603745]From Acton Ostry twitter:



https://twitter.com/actonostry
/QUOTE]

So an architect was involved in throwing that jumble of discordant elements together?

[rofina]

I didn't realise it has an inner courtyard like that. Love that feature! Looks awesome.

[SpongeG]

look bright and a little busy but nice to have

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by whatnext

So an architect was involved in throwing that jumble of discordant elements together?

Looks like an elementary school.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by rofina

I didn't realise it has an inner courtyard like that. Love that feature! Looks awesome.

When you have higher density developments, more can contribute to better amenities. Those 6-storey lower-density structures never get amenities such as this.

Originally Posted by officedweller

Looks like an elementary school.

UDP encouraged this to break up the bulk of the facades. Designer needs to continue this design trend throughout the structure.

Originally Posted by SpongeG

look bright and a little busy but nice to have

You have the City to thank for that.

The City has a warped idea that Mt Pleasant area should be like Camden Town of London:
https://www.google.com/maps/@51.5404837,...d37uIqfEBiDGAiFfe1sDw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Vin

The City has a warped idea that Mt Pleasant area should be like Camden Town of London:
https://www.google.com/maps/@51.5404837,...d37uIqfEBiDGAiFfe1sDw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Is that just your opinion? Or something actually said somewhere by the City of Vancouver? (TripAdvisor reviews often say Commercial drive is like Camden Towns - which seems a fair comparison).

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Changing City

Is that just your opinion? Or something actually said somewhere by the City of Vancouver? (TripAdvisor reviews often say Commercial drive is like Camden Towns - which seems a fair comparison).

As based on the direction newly approved structures are built around there. CoV fails to realize that Camden actually has a base of old buildings that make the area colourful and interesting, and not artificial ones created to match the shanty structures along Main Street. We are always trying too hard to look like somewhere else.

Commercial is colourful as well, but it is nothing like Camden Town, where structures are more permanent and solid, rather than the same-ol' shanty retail we have over there. Camden is vibrant over multiple streets with interesting markets away from the main roads, but Commercial is more like another Vancouver's "one-street glory".