Downtown Vancouver Updates

[WestEnd604]

Originally Posted by dleung

Not a fan of the safeway podium with the western-frontier-style fake facades, as if a totally different design team did the podium apart from the tower. What's the point of hiding valuable street frontage with opaque wall "art"?

That façade covers the windowless Safeway providing merchandizing space that wouldn't work with a wall of glass. Better than a flat, blank exterior wall.

[osirisboy]

I love it.

[officedweller]

plus the panels light up - as long as they program it dimly!

[dleung]

Originally Posted by WestEnd604

That façade covers the windowless Safeway providing merchandizing space that wouldn't work with a wall of glass. Better than a flat, blank exterior wall.

You can't convince me that all of the opaque panels are necessary as there are 2nd and 3rd floor offices visible behind the panels. Even without the offices, the design looks arbitrary and with no relation to the tower above. Also, plenty of big box stores have high walls of glass at least facing the front of the building. We have several examples at Cambie/Broadway, Robson st Safeway... heck look at the Loblaws on St Clair Ave in freezing Toronto.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by dleung

You can't convince me that all of the opaque panels are necessary as there are 2nd and 3rd floor offices visible behind the panels. Even without the offices, the design looks arbitrary and with no relation to the tower above. Also, plenty of big box stores have high walls of glass at least facing the front of the building.

It's art.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Changing City

It's art.

The design advisory board credited them on the panels for breaking up the massing along Davie as well.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by dleung

You can't convince me that all of the opaque panels are necessary as there are 2nd and 3rd floor offices visible behind the panels. Even without the offices, the design looks arbitrary and with no relation to the tower above. Also, plenty of big box stores have high walls of glass at least facing the front of the building. We have several examples at Cambie/Broadway, Robson st Safeway... heck look at the Loblaws on St Clair Ave in freezing Toronto.

Like most other retail they just end up covering glass with vinyl or something. I don't see how that is any better.



http://www.turnerfleischer.com/project/l...e-get-best-projects-from-jeremy?ci=9&cn=

[s211]

"Art". Snicker...

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Changing City

It's art.

Of course it is, because it is Westbank.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Of course it is, because it is Westbank.

"Private sector rezonings greater than 100,000 square feet are required to contribute $1.98 per buildable square foot to a public art process approved by us."

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

"Private sector rezonings greater than 100,000 square feet are required to contribute $1.98 per buildable square foot to a public art process approved by us."

As this wasn't a rezoning, it's entirely the developer's choice to spend a chunk of change on this particular feature. In the DP drawings they were just floating fritted glass panels. The lighting element appears to have been added. It seems odd to get cynical comments when a developer adds more expensive elements like curved glazing on the balconies (of a rental building - so it's not a feature to sell them), or a public art feature like this.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Changing City

As this wasn't a rezoning, it's entirely the developer's choice to spend a chunk of change on this particular feature. In the DP drawings they were just floating fritted glass panels. The lighting element appears to have been added. It seems odd to get cynical comments when a developer adds more expensive elements like curved glazing on the balconies (of a rental building - so it's not a feature to sell them), or a public art feature like this.

Oh right... the West End Plan was a bit different. Much obliged.

[jollyburger]

The fritted glass version would have looked like this



https://www.urbanyvr.com/westbank-rental-apartments-west-end/

[cov]

Large color blocks feel a little low effort and outdated. I think people want intricate ground level facades, but alas it's a Safeway and there is only so much you can do with a glassy exterior.

I'm just glad it doesn't look like this.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by cov

Large color blocks feel a little low effort and outdated. I think people want intricate ground level facades, but alas it's a Safeway and there is only so much you can do with a glassy exterior.

I'm just glad it doesn't look like this.

I assumed that was a repurposed building but didn't know it was an Office Depot. Was there something else in there before Office Depot?

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I assumed that was a repurposed building but didn't know it was an Office Depot. Was there something else in there before Office Depot?

It was built in 1968 for the Zephyr Mercury car dealership. And now back to Downtown Vancouver (again).

[Feathered Friend]

Today, Vancouver took another step in the reconciliation process as the evolution of First United Church's community services in the Downtown Eastside won the support of the Heritage Commission.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ7a4Hhspp-/...pFReBfLusVnt0Z4SS8id_6Zq-YX11GI8scCssY6c

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Aug.30 '20, my pics

Originally Posted by officedweller

Pic by me today.

Originally Posted by officedweller

Richards & Smithe Park
By me today.

Originally Posted by officedweller

Smithe & Richards Park
By me tonight

Jan.9 '21, my pics

[s211]

That park is taking so long to get done it probably has a longer half-life than uranium 235.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by s211

That park is taking so long to get done it probably has a longer half-life than uranium 235.

I swear that I have seen towers hit ground level faster.