Downtown Vancouver Updates

[Migrant_Coconut]

Nobody asked, but I fully support the use of actual hawks. They're awesome birds.

[zahav]

The area around St. Paul's is already getting rough, there's a mini homeless encampment in the front bushes. And there's another shelter type place down the street on Howe. Adding this will be the icing on the cake. Obviously more and more housing isn't solving much

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by officedweller

I remember when the Raffles condo (Cambie & Robson) was built on the former Catholic Charities parking lot, the developer had to dedicate a number of parking spaces for Catholic Charities use (not sure if ownership was conveyed).
I wonder what is happening with those spaces?

Phesto said the 50 spaces could be transferred from earlier posts about the development:

https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138107&page=372

[officedweller]

Thanks!
Wow, that was from 2011!

[officedweller]

On SRC, City of Rain posted a pic with demolition (?) fencing around Washington Court (corner of Thurlow & Nelson) next to the 1059-175 Nelson project (the chromosome tower).
That older building is not part of the chromosome building site.
Anyone know what's happening with that site?

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by officedweller

On SRC, City of Rain posted a pic with demolition (?) fencing around Washington Court (corner of Thurlow & Nelson) next to the 1059-175 Nelson project (the chromosome tower).
That older building is not part of the chromosome building site.
Anyone know what's happening with that site?

Hasn't that been closed since the end of 2018 with that fire? Seems like there's been blue fencing around the entrance since that time then when you look on Google Maps streetview.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/washington-court-residents-displaced-1.4856502

Listing price was $12.1 million back in 2010 when the building sold to foreign investors.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Hasn't that been closed since the end of 2018? Seems like there's been blue fencing around the entrance since that time then when you look on Google Maps streetview.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/washington-court-residents-displaced-1.4856502

Listing price was $12.1 million back in 2010 when the building sold.

There was a fire in October 2018 that closed the building. It may be proving a slow process to get the insurance sorted out, and finding contractors to do the work. It had an even bigger fire in 1966 - it used to be a storey taller.

[officedweller]

Thanks for the info.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by zahav

The area around St. Paul's is already getting rough, there's a mini homeless encampment in the front bushes. And there's another shelter type place down the street on Howe. Adding this will be the icing on the cake. Obviously more and more housing isn't solving much

Obviously without other policy changes, more will come when more subsidized-housing is built. Can't spoil a person into becoming a better individual.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Changing City

There was a fire in October 2018 that closed the building. It may be proving a slow process to get the insurance sorted out, and finding contractors to do the work. It had an even bigger fire in 1966 - it used to be a storey taller.

Does it have any heritage designation?

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Does it have any heritage designation?

I don't see it in the registry. It was built in 1910

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Does it have any heritage designation?

No; like jollyburger notes, it's just old.

[officedweller]

Bonnis wants to build 6 storeys at 950 Granville instead of the approved 4 storeys.
Apparently demolition and construction or the approved form are to start this year.

Additional height sought for Granville Street office and retail redevelopment
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/950-granville-street-vancouver-retail-office-building

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Does it have any heritage designation?

Update: Here's the minutes of the last Heritage Commission meeting (May 3rd - just published).

THAT the Commission support adding 998 Thurlow Street to the Vancouver Heritage Register as an A-listing and that the VHR Evaluation be referred back to Staff to complete the necessary revisions;

FURTHER THAT the Commission request that the Statement of Significance for 998 Thurlow Street – Washington Court be referred back to the consultants for revisions

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

March 14 '21, my pics

Originally Posted by officedweller

Richards & Smithe Park

Pics by me March 22, 2021:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Smithe & Richards Park

More bridge up.

By me today:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Smithe & Richards Park

Pics by me today:

May 26 '21, my pics

[SeymourDrake]

[Klazu]

Thanks for an update. The new park looks way too packed with stuff to be enjoyable but I withhold my comments until it's completed.

[s211]

Originally Posted by SeymourDrake

Indeed. This is textbook over-programming run amok.

[osirisboy]

Lots of good spots for homeless to set up camp and take over

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Lots of good spots for homeless to set up camp and take over

The city should move to the model of fencing and locking the downtown parks up overnight, as cities elsewhere do.