General Vancouver Updates

[mcminsen]

Some pics of the Arbutus Centre Safeway from July 2nd.




July 2 '20, my pics

[s211]

Originally Posted by whatnext

But seriously, wouldn't elevators be required by code for accessibility?

Come on. Being green (or whatever poses as being green) > needs of the handicapped. Having a family member confined to a wheelchair, I find such buffoonery beyond imagination.

Who was it that said we've reached peak Vancouver?

[SFUVancouver]

I'm not sure if it made it through to the final building program, but when Arbutus Centre went through the UDP it included a below-grade commercial self-storage facility in one of the buildings. It was multiple floors and wholly accessed below-grade, presumably through the commercial parking and loading areas (to facilitate oversize vehicles). I thought that was brilliant and a rock-solid money maker for the developer.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

I'm not sure if it made it through to the final building program, but when Arbutus Centre went through the UDP it included a below-grade commercial self-storage facility in one of the buildings. It was multiple floors and wholly accessed below-grade, presumably through the commercial parking and loading areas (to facilitate oversize vehicles). I thought that was brilliant and a rock-solid money maker for the developer.

There was 150K square feet of storage space originally but it seems like you aren't allowed to have storage inside a residential building:

In 2017, a minor text amendment was made to CD-1 By-law (642) No. 11658 by way of By-law No. 11749 to remove from Section 3.2 Uses, “Transportation and Storage uses, limited to a Mini-Storage Warehouse”. This was undertaken to address an unintended error in the CD-1 Bylaw which included residential and industrial (underground Mini-Storage Warehouse) uses in one building. Pursuant to the Vancouver Building By-law 2014 and the provincial Building Code, this combination of uses in one building is prohibited. As a result of the removal of the use, the by-law also led to a consequential reduction of maximum floor area for all uses and a reduction
in the minimum commercial space. With the removal of the underground mini-storage use, the maximum floor area was amended from 81,000 sq. m to 67,065 sq. m, and the minimum commercial space was amended from 25,000 sq. m to 11,065 sq. m.

https://council.vancouver.ca/20180619/documents/p9.pdf

[SFUVancouver]

^ Interesting. Thanks for the definitive answer.

[officedweller]

Thanks.
I wonder if the wooden awnings are a Safeway design element characteristic to all stores? The Davie one and Granville & 70th have them too.

[privatejet]

What have they done with this project? Keep the strata as rental or have they sold the units?

[jollyburger]

Crane for Fraser Commons is being brought down on Saturday. The tower looks huge when driving down SW Marine.

[Feathered Friend]

Hot Button Items Slow Down Vancouver’s Latest Arts Walk Addition

315 – 319 East 2nd Avenue – DP-2020-00305
It’s never a good sign when city staff begin an Urban Design Panel meeting by stating this review wouldn’t normally be needed. The issue isn’t that this project is half an inch over the 100 foot height limit permitted by the False Creek Flats Plan, or its range of uses which include micro rental homes, two floors of office space and even a brewery. Rather, this extra scrutiny was requested as it runs along the planned False Creek Arts Walk.

This concern comes about 25 years too late, as the city’s failure to secure necessary setbacks from a nearby strata building essentially halts this public space at the Vancouver Coastal Health Detox Centre. Still, the applicant claimed this steep lane has generated some opportunities, as they were able to incorporate double height, dual entry commercial spaces. The applicants thought their plan to create a mix of galleries, restaurants, and micro-breweries was enough to draw people in, but the panel disagreed.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2020/08/27...wn-vancouvers-latest-arts-walk-addition/

[Feathered Friend]

Starting in September, 30% of the City of Vancouver's Planning Department will return to their desks. While this number is expected to grow quickly due to a heavy workload, a shortage of office space in #Vancouver means there will be a permanent work from home rotation.

https://twitter.com/City_Duo/status/1299445570809942018?s=20

I heard this the other day at the Urban Design Panel. Of course, since I know there's no city staff that lurk here, I'm sure this will be of interest to no one.

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Aug.23 '20, my pics

As seen today from the bus stop by Wendy's on Cambie.



Aug.29 '20, my pic

[SpongeG]

i know the height is disappointing but it does help fill out that block now.

[officedweller]

It does appear taller than I expected due to commercial ceiling heights.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

i heard a rumour its supposed to be all CoV offices. anyone know if thats true?

[Migrant_Coconut]

I think that was the rumour for the southeast block.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture

i heard a rumour its supposed to be all CoV offices. anyone know if thats true?

It was reported by commercial agents that the City had leased the 3rd to 7th floor offices over a year ago. It's confirmed in the most recent Avison Young research report.

Longer term the City are looking at the development of the south east corner, where they own a full city block (except for the corner transit station). City Council approved $2m to investigate the development options, which were intended to replace the functions of City Hall, which is seismically challenged. No doubt the dramatic change in City finances and questions about long-term office need will delay any decisions on how that might proceed.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Changing City

It was reported by commercial agents that the City had leased the 3rd to 7th floor offices over a year ago. It's confirmed in the most recent Avison Young research report.

Longer term the City are looking at the development of the south east corner, where they own a full city block (except for the corner transit station). City Council approved $2m to investigate the development options, which were intended to replace the functions of City Hall, which is seismically challenged. No doubt the dramatic change in City finances and questions about long-term office need will delay any decisions on how that might proceed.

Government workers at all levels have the types of jobs that are perfect for WFH. I would expect a lot of that to happen over the next several years.

[Feathered Friend]

We’re eager to reveal how this hotel at 888 Broadway will secure a future for live music in Vancouver for years to come, & why the UDP felt it’s grown even more elegant. Yet we’ll wait for now, as once again the City of Vancouver is late to post this application to their website

https://twitter.com/City_Duo/status/1300179952633929728?s=20

[jollyburger]

Looks like some forest clear skin on the glass.











https://www.arnomatisarchitecture.com/project-health-district-hotel.php

[logan5]

Too bad the Fairview's facade and awning couldn't be retained.