General Vancouver Updates

[Spr0ckets]

Originally Posted by vanman

I prefer the current building to the proposed. It's too bad there's no way of saving it.

Isn't (or wasn't) it designated as a heritage building?

Or was that the one across Granville street with the clock tower?

In either case, my understanding is that the city considers that corner lot a landmark location on account of it's future as a major transit hub with the Skytrain stop and major bus routes converging there.
In which case they wanted a building that would stand out and match that landmark designation - which might explain why they would let them replace a heritage building (if it was) with this building and with the potential to add to it in the future and add a tower on top later on.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Spr0ckets

Isn't (or wasn't) it designated as a heritage building?

Or was that the one across Granville street with the clock tower?

In either case, my understanding is that the city considers that corner lot a landmark location on account of it's future as a major transit hub with the Skytrain stop and major bus routes converging there.
In which case they wanted a building that would stand out and match that landmark designation - which might explain why they would let them replace a heritage building (if it was) with this building and with the potential to add to it in the future and add a tower on top later on.

The Dick Building across the street is Heritage. The Clock Tower building was built in 1985.

[Jougho]

Originally Posted by Vin

For the longest time the City was trying to create the "dome skyline" in the downtown core. Seems like it's all a waste of effort after all. The short and table-topped CBD buildings would be seen as a mockery of the absurd Viewcone policies. Well, it's about time for the Kitsilano neighbourhood to shine, provided the Senakwe development sets a precedence for future tall buildings to be developed there.

Vin, you are right! Even Harland Bothmalew (sp?) in the 20's saw Kits as the main hotel zone in Vancouver., with a lot of high rises, away from the the cesspool of "Downtown" with the foul air wedged between Coal Harbour and False Creek industrial areas.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Spr0ckets

In either case, my understanding is that the city considers that corner lot a landmark location on account of it's future as a major transit hub with the Skytrain stop and major bus routes converging there.
In which case they wanted a building that would stand out and match that landmark designation - which might explain why they would let them replace a heritage building (if it was) with this building and with the potential to add to it in the future and add a tower on top later on.

I don't consider the proposed design to be of "landmark" quality, either.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Yeah, the design itself is pretty generic regardless of height. Oh well.

[Feathered Friend]

Dec 29th, 2019








Jan 8th, 2019

With a broken fence & a stop work order, it seems we missed quite a little accident at the corner of Spruce & West Broadway. Yet, thanks to
Work Safe BC construction workers, as well as the general public in Vancouver & across BritishColumbia, have reason to feel safe.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7KAjKeHJWa/...8j_F2xPUegwGskL5GEKi9ifKe0t-O3RTHHuuLN18

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by vanman

I prefer the current building to the proposed. It's too bad there's no way of saving it.

Yes the RBC building is fairly unique to its time and siting. Vancouver has few buildings from any time that wrap around a corner in that way. The materials are much higher quality than the proposed replacement. Another heritage loss for Vancouver.

[officedweller]

Renfrew Business Centre

From UrbanYVR:


A new college and office building is proposed for the Broadway Tech Park, next to the Renfrew SkyTrain station in East Vancouver.
https://urbanyvr.com/broadway-tech-park-molnar-group

[SFUVancouver]

Thanks for the photo. Looks pretty great.

[Feathered Friend]

Urban Design Panel Fears SkyTrain Adjacent Employment Centre May Create A Generational Threat

2710 Kaslo Street– DP-2019-00658 – Renfrew Business Centre Phase 3 & 4
While tens of thousands of people go past this site everyday on the Millennium Line, I doubt many remember that, almost a decade ago, it was rezoned to allow for much more than an empty parking lot. Envisioned as part of a four phase redevelopment, the only building to undergo construction was the Renfrew Centre, which opened in 2015. However, it appears the recent approval of two nearby moderate income rental buildings has spurred some life into this project.

Still, the conditions that shape it seem like bygone relics. This means it only achieves a sustainability level of LEED Silver, instead of the stricter Green Buildings Policy. The condition that prohibited it from shadowing the neighbouring single-family homes is also outdated, as recently 48 of the 51 homes were listed for sale. The required alterations haven’t reduced the overall floor area, but it did eliminate one floor in the eastern building and the northwest corner of the western one

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2020/01/16...centre-may-create-a-generational-threat/

[officedweller]

Here's the location from the 2010 rezoning -
Marked as Phase 3 and 4.
The building with the curved facade is Phase 2.

Pretty ugly parking/loading entrance.


https://council.vancouver.ca/20100518/documents/p5.pdf

[s211]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Pretty ugly parking/loading entrance.

In its defense, it's an East Side office building alley, and out of sight of 99.9% of the population. Not sure it needs any bells or whistles.

[GenWhy?]

RE: Ramp... The site has pretty decent grade issues.

[officedweller]

Just strikes me as an odd design in that they've externalized the ramp portion, rather than the usual internal ramp.
Whatever is built to the north will look into the entrances (notwithstanding the hedge)

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Just strikes me as an odd design in that they've externalized the ramp portion, rather than the usual internal ramp.
Whatever is built to the north will look into the entrances (notwithstanding the hedge)

Appears to be due to a building setback requirement.

[Feathered Friend]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

Appears to be due to a building setback requirement.

If I recall correctly, the setback is larger than normally required too. There's also talk of adding a traffic light to the intersection of E Broadway and Kaslo.

[officedweller]

Looking at the site plan again, it could also be to maintain loading access to the Phase 1 building from the rear,
to create a plaza out front
(i.e. the area being a lane rather than a landscaped setback with internalized driveway)

[LeftCoaster]

Buildings look good but agree with the UDP and sentiment here that the back/loading needs a little more thought. Good additions to the area though.

[Feathered Friend]

https://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applications/1956-1990Stainsbury/documents/Rendering.pdf






https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/2400-block-grandview-feedback-synopsis.pdf

https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/2300-block-charles-feedback-synopsis.pdf

January 21st, 2020 Public Hearing – Laneway Landlords Condemn Violation Of Homeowner Rights As Moderate Income Rental Homes Break New Boundaries

January 21st, 2020 Public Hearing –
The first public hearing of 2020 finally tests what the relatively new Moderate Income Rental Housing Pilot Program is capable of. Frankly, though they provided more affordable housing than previous rental programs, their scale was all too similar. That’s true for this evening’s first MIRHPP project on Stainsbury Ave., as fears of opposition from the neighbouring single-family homeowners led the city to limit its height to five floors.

Items 3 and 4, a pair of towers on Vancouver’s eastern-most edge are far more ambitious, but are still smaller than the two 15 floor strata towers built on Burnaby’s side back in 1983. Though transit service has improved since then, especially with the new Rapid Bus 5, many are concerned that traffic will worsen. Others from both Vancouver and Burnaby feel the neighbourhood has deteriorated, as the later city has allowed too many rental homes in the area recently.

Though, as usual, the first two items are basically housekeeping issues, the evening’s final item is rather unique. This amendment to the Nanaimo sub-area of the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan will pre-zone a couple blocks near Lord Nelson Elementary, as well as two near the Grandview Cut. This is in response to demands from local residents who felt isolated by the plan, and would like the opportunity to convert their single-family homes into something large, like townhomes.


Backlash Expectations

Item #3 – 1956 – 1990 Stainsbury Ave – Moderate
This project has struck fear into the hearts of neighbouring landlords.

Item #4 – 3600 East Hastings St – High
Traffic and parking are paramount issues, but others fear these new rental homes will bring more crime.

Item #5 – 3680 East Hasting St – High
Like the last item, its companion has generated fears about traffic, parking, and type of people who rent.

Item #6 – Rezoning Of Certain Properties In The Nanaimo Sub-area Of The Granview-Woodland Plan – Low
Some opposes the change near Lord Nelson Elementary, but residents to the south are strongly in favor.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2020/01/20...ncome-rental-homes-break-new-boundaries/

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

Thanks.

Hadn't realized that this was on the corner with Boundary - with a power pylon next to it.


https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bounda...7358d615!8m2!3d49.2811438!4d-123.0236986