Downtown Vancouver Updates

[jollyburger]

Just noticed the original RFP mentioned this

Experience with ‘site specific regulations’ and processes (pertaining to mass timber / tall wood building code context, including alternative solutions).

[officedweller]

E-mail received about the unveiling of the artwork at the Davie St. Safeway:

[jollyburger]

Does the chandelier at Vancouver House still work?

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Does the chandelier at Vancouver House still work?

It does. They just washed it. It takes a while.

[officedweller]

Dated, but I don't think this was posted, was it?

Alberni at the Vanguard
A modest downtown street has become a locus of architectural innovation that’s reshaping Vancouverism.
By Trevor Boddy
On Apr 1, 2022
https://www.canadianarchitect.com/alberni-at-the-vanguard/

[hollywoodnorth]

58 W Hastings (https://www.chinatownfoundation.org/58wh/) is making good progress I think they are now on Floor 3 out of 10 now I think.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPUI9kNtUK6/

[Changing City]

1450 West Georgia, the replacement for the 1950s Georgian Motor Inn tower, has now been submitted for a Development Permit. The design has been refined - mid block amenity is taller, the podium design has changed from pedestrian to dramatic, and the tower has some clearer detailing. They're reduced the number of strata units, but there are still 162 rental replacements.

More here on Changing City blog, including the podium image.

[Spr0ckets]

More images for the re-submitted re-design of the aforementioned 1450 West Georgia project by Yamamoto Architecture from different views:-




















Source and write-up:-

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/1450-west-georgia-street-vancouver-tree-inspired-tower

[vanman]

This is looking way more interesting than the original design. Quite the improvement.

[dreambrother808]

I know that Vancouver is friendly relative to some people’s international experiences but that signage makes me laugh. It would soon find itself in many an ironic Instagram/TikTok post.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

I know that Vancouver is friendly relative to some people’s international experiences but that signage makes me laugh. It would soon find itself in many an ironic Instagram/TikTok post.

There is context, that Daily Hive missed. "The previous building had a “Welcome to Friendly Vancouver” sign which was painted on the east wall of the small retail component of the building, facing what was at the time a large surface parking lot. The proposed NE stair tower re-creates this signage, however the sign is carved into the stone cladding of the tower, giving it a more permanent expression."

[GenWhy?]

Would be more fun if the sign was done in mid-century modern as an ohmage to the old motor hotel

[CivicBlues]

Hold up...So the Welcome sign is going to be on Georgia Street facing Westbound traffic? It's going to be seen by people presumably leaving Vancouver over the Lions Gate Bridge?

[GenWhy?]

Due to the neighbouring foliage, the building's setback, and a parkade exit stair to its east, I think the only folks really able to see it would be pedestrians

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

Would be more fun if the sign was done in mid-century modern as an ohmage to the old motor hotel

I was going to suggest an artist do a trompe-l'œil painting of a junkie slumped below the sign but your idea is good too.

[officedweller]

The 3D panels look great!
I do wonder about the open space at grade and the building performance in a major earthquake,
although the cantilever doesn't look to be holding up the tower.
(remember that "life-safety" means people can get out alive, not that the building will be habitable afterwards)

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

Hold up...So the Welcome sign is going to be on Georgia Street facing Westbound traffic? It's going to be seen by people presumably leaving Vancouver over the Lions Gate Bridge?

That's what I thought too - but the historcal sign was facing the same way - towards what used to be the hotel's parking lot, oriented for people walking towards the hotel. That context is lost with the new replacement which will primarily be seen by those driving out of the city.

So it's historical preservation with a complete loss of context - is it worth it?


https://www.urbanyvr.com/1450-west-georgia-wesgroup/

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by officedweller

The 3D panels look great!
I do wonder about the open space at grade and the building performance in a major earthquake,
although the cantilever doesn't look to be holding up the tower.
(remember that "life-safety" means people can get out alive, not that the building will be habitable afterwards)

It seems like if they stick enough rebar in there that they would perform as well as any other structural component of the building.

[Feathered Friend]

Despite the lack of any opposition, these below-market rate co-op homes didn’t get any leniency from the Development Permit Board. Even a plea from one of their advisory members to relax the conditions city staff had imposed on this project earned it no reprieve.

That means this non-profit funded proposal will now endure the added cost & challenge of including brickwork into its sustainable, passive house design. While this move was contrary to the Urban Design Panel’s advice, it did earn the Development Permit Board’s unanimous approval.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChD3IcOJ8HZ/...golOdOmSjCMhO134uF4R_9-WkHuDNgg6GMSZ2vJg

[jollyburger]

RIP the people trying to sell their strata units.

Elevators out in 20-storey West End condo tower? Call the fire department
One of the elevators in a 20-storey condo called The Sterling in the West End has been broken for months. Then last week the remaining elevator also got shut down.

This has residents trekking up and down the staircase with no indication of when the elevators might be back in service.

“Right below me is an elderly couple. That’s the thing I am most concerned about. I’m not happy about hoofing it up all these floors, but I can do it,” said resident Dave McKay, who is in his 40s and lives on one of the higher floors in the building, which was completed in 2005.

There are people in the building with young children, persons with disabilities and pets that have to be taken out every day, he said.

A note from the strata manager says an elevator maintenance company is troubleshooting the ongoing issue with the remaining elevator. It also says there is “currently no diagnosis nor ETA for the elevator service to be restored.”

It also adds that if assistance is required while the elevator is down, and it’s not possible to use the stairs, residents should contact the fire department for assistance.

“They shouldn’t be saying that. We aren’t going to be doing that. Of course, if there’s an emergency or a medical call, our crews will be there,” said Matthew Trudeau of Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services.

He said city inspectors can follow up and ask questions about timelines and confirm that reasonable actions are being taken to restore service by requiring copies of receipts and work orders.

In February 2021, Vancouver city council passed a motion to ensure residents with health and mobility issues have support when building elevators break down. This was billed as a good first step to addressing concerns raised by seniors living in low-rise buildings and city councillors Jean Swanson and Christine Boyle.

But last April city staff reported back and said the city doesn’t have the authority to compel building owners to have plans in place and assist residents when elevators are out of service.

The entrance to 20-storey Sterling condominium tower at 1050 Smithe St. in the West End, where both elevators are out of service.
The entrance to 20-storey Sterling condominium tower at 1050 Smithe St. in the West End, where both elevators are out of service. PHOTO BY ARLEN REDEKOP /PNG
According to the relevant section in the Vancouver Charter, council can only make bylaws requiring elevators be maintained in an operational condition at all times and repairs be undertaken and completed as quickly as possible.

The city has developed resources to encourage building owners to assist residents and to inform residents on how to be prepared and what to do.

The April 2022 memo from staff to council noted it is difficult to estimate the number of people severely affected by elevator service outages and the city lacks data on the number of residential buildings that have only one elevator. It said the city’s online and 311 complaint data from the last five years (2018 to March 2022) show an average of 20 complaints received each year about elevators in residential buildings, with about 10 per cent of these complaints being from seniors and persons with disabilities.

While newer elevator systems can be less reliable and need more maintenance, it can be hard to find parts for elevators that are older. In general, there is a shortage of elevator companies, technicians and tradespeople at the same time that more people are living in apartments and condos. The rights and responsibilities of condo homeowners are not mandated by municipalities, but governed by the province under the Strata Property Act.

Beyond this, it’s a complicated situation for inexperienced managers and strata councils to handle, according to Tony Gioventu, executive director for the Condominium Home Owners’ Association.

“Elevator contracts are incredibly complicated, and they result in serious contract deficiencies and disputes with owners because of exclusive and proprietary exclusions. I strongly recommend strata councils consult with a shrewd, experienced lawyer familiar with these types of negotiations,” said Gioventu. “Rates can be out of control, with no accountability in the contracts for failure to provide reliable services.”

FirstService Residential manages the building and said it is an agent of the strata corporation, which did not reply to Postmedia’s questions on Tuesday.

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news...ver-condo-tower-call-the-fire-department

[WarrenC12]

Obviously there are more details to the story. The red flag to me is the first elevator that was out of service for months already. What's the story there? Did they cheap out on getting it addressed? Yes elevators are "complicated" but we aren't sending people to Mars here.

Our building had one elevator out for about 5 weeks last year, it was a big problem. But the issue was parts of course (supply chain). Once they were in, the elevator maintenance company fixed it pretty quick.

I do agree that elevator maintenance contracts are very expensive and repair companies are their own little oligopoly.