Downtown Vancouver Updates

[madog222]

Looks like someone was a bit too quick with the site update, it’s now been reverted to as it was yesterday.

[Vin]

Without any height interference due to ViewCones, I'm sure they would rather have a tall slimmer tower a quarter of the current footprint going up 4x the height. It can be positioned at the northeast corner of the podium to minimize the disruption to the historical proportioning of the structure. Sadly, the City policies do not allow that to happen, and we will be getting another bastardized heritage building.

On the other hand, I love the the opening of an atrium in the mall/department, which I have always thought is the best way for the Bay downtown to draw back ever-dwindling visitors. The escalator in a "green well" format will also be visually appealing and thus become a new attraction. However, the overall downtown retail space is yet again greatly reduced due to the loss of the 4th-5th retail spaces and atrium, as well as the below-grade level to be used for transit and bicycle-storage.

Overall, I have mixed feelings about this re-development, as it could be a lot better. When this is completed, Granville Street and will feel even darker during the daytime with more short fat buildings walling it, and, as some of you pointed out, the original Bay building looking less significant than it used to be, especially at night when the office block lights disrupt the opulence of the original architecture. With the loss of retail at grade, more street people will lay around outside the expanded transit ground area.

[madog222]

Originally Posted by officedweller

I'm not sure how an escalator from Granville Station could come up from the south, unless they are sending people around a circuitous route (?).

I think they are effectively moving the existing East-West below grade corridor up to grade with escalators to the existing fare gates.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/hudsons-bay-vancouver-redevelopment-design-674-granville-street

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/skytrain-granville-station-long-escalators-reopen

[officedweller]

The existing SkyTrain concourse is at the north property line of the building, so you'd expect they would move it to the south (and up a level) so that it is double loaded with restaurants and retail on both sides of the corridor.
My comment is that the escalator should be off to the righthand side instead for a more direct connection.

Also, the Granville Station ticketing hall is under Seymour St., not under the Bay Building itself.

Originally Posted by madog222

I think they are effectively moving the existing East-West below grade corridor up to grade with escalators to the existing fare gates.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/hudsons-bay-vancouver-redevelopment-design-674-granville-street

[bb1510]

Since this is being developed by Streetworks which is a HBC arm with no mention of another developer, it’s safe to assume that the 675m deal a couple years back collapsed?

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by bb1510

Since this is being developed by Streetworks which is a HBC arm with no mention of another developer, it’s safe to assume that the 675m deal a couple years back collapsed?

Yeah, the cancellation was announced a few years ago.

[djmk]

With a rooftop so huge, put a real amenity that the public actually needs. like a community soccer field with lights that can be rented to local clubs/community groups. That would be so incredibly awesome.

[PeterAKer]

I hate the design as much as I hate the design for the Commodore Development. Vancouver might as well not preserve any buildings in Vancouver if they are going to redevelop them and not keep them true to form. I like when buildings are preserved as is.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Vin

Without any height interference due to ViewCones, I'm sure they would rather have a tall slimmer tower a quarter of the current footprint going up 4x the height. It can be positioned at the northeast corner of the podium to minimize the disruption to the historical proportioning of the structure. Sadly, the City policies do not allow that to happen, and we will be getting another bastardized heritage building.

On the other hand, I love the the opening of an atrium in the mall/department, which I have always thought is the best way for the Bay downtown to draw back ever-dwindling visitors. The escalator in a "green well" format will also be visually appealing and thus become a new attraction. However, the overall downtown retail space is yet again greatly reduced due to the loss of the 4th-5th retail spaces and atrium, as well as the below-grade level to be used for transit and bicycle-storage.

Overall, I have mixed feelings about this re-development, as it could be a lot better. When this is completed, Granville Street and will feel even darker during the daytime with more short fat buildings walling it, and, as some of you pointed out, the original Bay building looking less significant than it used to be, especially at night when the office block lights disrupt the opulence of the original architecture. With the loss of retail at grade, more street people will lay around outside the expanded transit ground area.

High demand for large floorplates downtown.

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by PeterAKer

I hate the design as much as I hate the design for the Commodore Development. Vancouver might as well not preserve any buildings in Vancouver if they are going to redevelop them and not keep them true to form. I like when buildings are preserved as is.

I absolutely agree! Leave these iconic, majestic landmark buildings alone! We have so few of them to begin with, what's next?!.. a giant glass box on top of the Marine Building or Hotel Vancouver! We have tons of other crappy lots to re-develop and densify. This giant glass blob throws the whole building off balance, it's horribly top-heavy and entirely architecturally incorrect, this is not done in other cities with similar landmark buildings like Selfridges in London or Harrods. It's a huge giant mess and an absolutely tragic mistake, I hope this ( and the Commodore blob ) never happen. It's already 750,000SF so it's dense at it is. Yes, redevelop the inside, but leave one of our few remaining iconic buildings alone. Say no to this travesty.

[djmk]

people used to say the same things about the Louve pyramids. Now these pyramids are more famous than the original building

[phesto]

1 Million SF of office space and zero parking? I get that it's on top of a transit hub but I'd be curious to see how that impacts tenant demand.

Compare to the Post which has over 1,000 stalls.

Even a building like The Stack has 260 stalls, most of which for tenants (law firms for example) who want at least some secured parking within the building.

[Changing City]

Daily Hive published the details (as already seen here). Total retail/commercial 400,000 sq. ft., including departmental store of 350,000. The render of the internal space with the escalator atrium is described as the departmental store. Presumably the other 50,000 sq. ft. could be either around the street fronts, or the part of the lower floor that isn't bike parking (next to the SkyTrain entrance). Maybe the exhibition will reveal all. (You'll need your vax passport to visit).

[madog222]

Originally Posted by phesto

1 Million SF of office space and zero parking? I get that it's on top of a transit hub but I'd be curious to see how that impacts tenant demand.

Compare to the Post which has over 1,000 stalls.

Even a building like The Stack has 260 stalls, most of which for tenants (law firms for example) who want at least some secured parking within the building.

Parking is in the existing parkade across Seymour, redevelopment of that site would include parking for this site.

[bb1510]

Originally Posted by connect2source

I absolutely agree! Leave these iconic, majestic landmark buildings alone! We have so few of them to begin with, what's next?!.. a giant glass box on top of the Marine Building or Hotel Vancouver! We have tons of other crappy lots to re-develop and densify. This giant glass blob throws the whole building off balance, it's horribly top-heavy and entirely architecturally incorrect, this is not done in other cities with similar landmark buildings like Selfridges in London or Harrods. It's a huge giant mess and an absolutely tragic mistake, I hope this ( and the Commodore blob ) never happen. It's already 750,000SF so it's dense at it is. Yes, redevelop the inside, but leave one of our few remaining iconic buildings alone. Say no to this travesty.

I dont think it's the same thing comparing this to the Marine Building or Hotel Building given the massing and proportions of the actual heritage building

The Hearst Building works well and is really nice irl granted the proportions are completely different with a tower instead of a midrise

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by djmk

people used to say the same things about the Louve pyramids. Now these pyramids are more famous than the original building

If it were like this - maybe:

BTW - I thought I read that they are still below the view cone height limit.
I wonder if they would be tempted to be playful and articulate the roof line?


https://www.archdaily.com/catalog/us/pro...ons-in-elbphilharmonie-concert-hall-sika

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by phesto

1 Million SF of office space and zero parking? I get that it's on top of a transit hub but I'd be curious to see how that impacts tenant demand.

Compare to the Post which has over 1,000 stalls.

Even a building like The Stack has 260 stalls, most of which for tenants (law firms for example) who want at least some secured parking within the building.

Did the Post have existing underground space that is being converted to parking? I think the issue with the Bay site is that they can't excavate, and it's probably not worthwhile to have parking in above ground areas.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Did the Post have existing underground space that is being converted to parking? I think the issue with the Bay site is that they can't excavate, and it's probably not worthwhile to have parking in above ground areas.

If they have to have parking they could always force them to make a deal with any future Holborn development to include some parking for them.

[officedweller]

.. plus they are adjacent to Pacific Centre which also has lots of parking (though expensive!)

[madog222]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Did the Post have existing underground space that is being converted to parking? I think the issue with the Bay site is that they can't excavate, and it's probably not worthwhile to have parking in above ground areas.

Yes, The Post has its parking in existing levels, both below grade and above, there was no excavation.