The Ultimate Vancouver Rumour Thread!

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Hey guys remember the Bing Thom Crystal from way back when?

Well it's back.... sorta, and in a different location.

Please tell us more. In what location is it planned? And saying "sorta,' how different is the new design from the original? Do you know? Please tell us. Oh, and do you have any renders? Or is it too early for that?

[officedweller]

Here's the never-built Hotel Georgia addition.
I remember that the window bays and protrusions were based on an 8 ft wide unit, which is quite narrow (i.e for solariums and bedrooms).


https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bing-thom-architects-designs-proposed-never-built

[madog222]

That design would fit in very well on Alberni.

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by madog222

That design would fit in very well on Alberni.

I'd prefer to see it on, say, Broadway. South Granville Station area? Alberni is getting saturated with architecturally significant buildings. Let's spread the love to what is apparently going to be pursuing second downtown.

[giallo]

That's some juicy gossip alright. I wonder where it's proposed.

[jollyburger]

I'll say it's going to The Bay Parkade site for Holborn.

Though I guess in 2020 they were still working with OMA so maybe this is wrong.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Hey guys remember the Bing Thom Crystal from way back when?

Well it's back.... sorta, and in a different location.

The "sorta" part is what makes me worry.

I would like to see something that challenges the established viewcones. Sim has mentioned that he would be wiling to break through the view cones, given the right proposal. Let's see how serious he is about that.

[jollyburger]

Anyone ever remember hearing about this concept?



https://reveryarchitecture.com/projects/robson-square/

Daily Hive article about it in 2020:

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/robson-square-chinese-art-museum-gallery-bing-thom

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Here's the never-built Hotel Georgia addition.
I remember that the window bays and protrusions were based on an 8 ft wide unit, which is quite narrow (i.e for solariums and bedrooms).


https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bing-thom-architects-designs-proposed-never-built

To me, this was a dazzling design. I could see it (one day) being built where the Burrard Building now stands. It has a classy, sleek, 'big city' look and feel to it that would go well on Georgia St in that location.

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Please tell us more. In what location is it planned? And saying "sorta,' how different is the new design from the original? Do you know? Please tell us. Oh, and do you have any renders? Or is it too early for that?

Clearly if I could share those things I would have.

It's not my information and those involved have not shared it publicly yet so I certainly wont be sharing it on their behalf.

If and when it is released I'll be happy to post some more information here.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

i must be the only one who thinks "mehh" maybe its because there is a lack of real finishes on it. it just looks like a glass box with cut backs in it.

i would like to see a fully fleshed out design before i make a final judgement.

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Clearly if I could share those things I would have.

Surprised that you even bothered answering him. Any scoop on flights to South America?

This project is a true SSP legend, popping up in discussions every few years. It's our Holy Grail.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by vancouverofthefuture

i must be the only one who thinks "mehh" Maybe its because there is a lack of real finishes on it. It just looks like a glass box with cut backs in it.

I would like to see a fully fleshed out design before i make a final judgement.

+1

[urbanight93]

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[urbanight93]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Clearly if I could share those things I would have.

It's not my information and those involved have not shared it publicly yet so I certainly wont be sharing it on their behalf.

If and when it is released I'll be happy to post some more information here.

Thanks Leftcoaster for this tidbit and for keeping the rumour thread alive!

i remember when i was a baby lurker on ssp the disappointment created by the updated Hotel Georgia design. Ultimately what we got was good enough and for better or worse, it has become a solid background building.

I look forward to this new iteration of the Crystal. Hopefully it's at 600 feet (or more) like the original iteration before it was chopped down for the built design. There are only a few sites left downtown where this height is permitted so I'm thinking it's within the West End Community Plan (either along the Burrard or Alberni/Georgia corridors), where additional densities have been unlocked of late.

[officedweller]

The question is, in the intervening 25(?) years, have the LEED requirements and the City's goal of just 50% vision glass dumbed down the implementation so much that it'll compromise the end result (i.e. spandrel city)?
If you look at the Alberni for example, there's very little vision glass there, except maybe where shaded by balconies, and the Crystal design does not have the benefit of balcony shading (though there are some overhangs).

I think the original was intended to have fritted glass - but I don't recall if that was on the tower itsef, or just masking the above-ground automated parkade in the podium.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Please tell us more. In what location is it planned? And saying "sorta,' how different is the new design from the original? Do you know? Please tell us. Oh, and do you have any renders? Or is it too early for that?

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Clearly if I could share those things I would have.

It's not my information and those involved have not shared it publicly yet so I certainly wont be sharing it on their behalf.

If and when it is released I'll be happy to post some more information here.

Excuse me for asking so prematurely. It's just that this building has so much potential to dramatize and energize the city with its elegant design. I look forward to a day when it comes closer to fruition.

[urbancanadian]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Hey guys remember the Bing Thom Crystal from way back when?

Well it's back.... sorta, and in a different location.

What if Holt Renfrew moves into the Nordstrom space (they’re due for an overhaul) and the Holt Renfrew wing of the mall is redeveloped with a signature (design-wise, not height) hotel tower in the heart of the city.

It would allow CF to cut out that whole wing of Pacific Centre that is north of Dunsmuir from the mall and focus major retailers on the higher-traffic streets in the city (where Nordstrom was).

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by urbancanadian

What if Holt Renfrew moves into the Nordstrom space (they’re due for an overhaul) and the Holt Renfrew wing of the mall is redeveloped with a signature (design-wise, not height) hotel tower in the heart of the city.

It would allow CF to cut out that whole wing of Pacific Centre that is north of Dunsmuir from the mall and focus major retailers on the higher-traffic streets in the city (where Nordstrom was).

They already have the old Four Seasons so what's the point? And there's zero reason for Holts to move. Throw in the fact tower separation issues with 777 Dunsmuir.

[TwoFace]

How about TheBay finally decides to turn their building in condos as promised and moves into the Nordstrom space.