Downtown Vancouver Updates - Page 375

jsbertram · #**7481** Posted **May 21, 2011, 7:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joat

I'm guessing this has been discussed to death, but does anyone know if there are any plans to either clean the Sears building, or just spruce it up with any cool lighting, or visual features?

I know its probably not feasible but if they're never gonna tear it down it would be cool if they put in a giant garden on the roof or something.

Any cleaning & fixing of the Sears exterior would have (and should have) been done for the Olympics.

No pressing need for their landlord to spend any money now.

Too bad, since The Bay showed what some cleaning and Olympic posters (.... actually VISA ads) can do.

During the Olympics I saw more people on Granville/Georgia snapping pics of The Bay, than I saw at Robson Square snapping pics of Sears (excluding snaps of the tiny video on the dirty sears West wall, or the giant ads on the South wall.)

s211 · #**7482** Posted **May 24, 2011, 7:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joat

I'm guessing this has been discussed to death, but does anyone know if there are any plans to either clean the Sears building, or just spruce it up with any cool lighting, or visual features?

I know its probably not feasible but if they're never gonna tear it down it would be cool if they put in a giant garden on the roof or something.

Almost all of the roof ballast is already covered with vegetation, it's just that it wasn't planned that way. Instead, it's been under-maintained and is largely covered with green and red moss.

whatnext · #**7483** Posted **May 25, 2011, 1:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlousa

The Bing Thom tulip tree controversy site is going to proceed, it's now 1241 Harwood no longer 1245. It will be a 18 storey tower. Not digging the design much, but I'll admit to not being a large fan of his work. Anyways here is what's public at this time.

Looks like there might be a way to save the tulip tree after all, though I expect 1241 is too far along for the possibility of a joint development:

Vancouver’s century-old tulip tree could be saved after all from a developer’s chainsaw.

That is if councillors seize what appears to be the game-changing opportunity provided to them by Shaun Wong...

...Appearing at another public hearing by council on May 19, Wong stated that he and his family are, in fact, willing to cooperate to preserve the tree.

“I’m open to protecting the tree,” said Wong, who related that his family had owned 1225 Harwood Street since the 1960s.

He further stated: “My family loves this tree.”

Wong added that he made no deal with anyone before because the city couldn’t give him a guarantee that his family will be given consideration if the time comes for the Wongs to redevelop their own property.

Wong also recalled to councillors that he gave his word that he will help protect the tree, but this wasn’t accepted.

He said that city staff wanted him to put his promise in writing, but staff in return won’t provide him a written pledge to help his family.

Wong also said that he is open to the idea of a joint development with owners of 1245 Harwood Street, a move that will preserve not only the tulip tree but also the heritage house...
http://www.straight.com/article-394323/v...uld-get-reprieve-if-city-works-neighbour

dreambrother808 · #**7484** Posted **May 29, 2011, 6:27 AM**

Fire in the West End? I smell smoke.

Edit: just an idiot neighbour.

Metro-One · #**7485** Posted **May 29, 2011, 6:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsbertram

Any cleaning & fixing of the Sears exterior would have (and should have) been done for the Olympics.

No pressing need for their landlord to spend any money now.

Too bad, since The Bay showed what some cleaning and Olympic posters (.... actually VISA ads) can do.

During the Olympics I saw more people on Granville/Georgia snapping pics of The Bay, than I saw at Robson Square snapping pics of Sears (excluding snaps of the tiny video on the dirty sears West wall, or the giant ads on the South wall.)

The funniest thing is there actually are built in areas on the corners of the Sears building for large posters, they even have built in spot lamps, yet Sears never uses these, such a horrible company and horrible buildings. A few posters, lighting effects and LED screens would do wonders for that building, not to mention a good power wash.

I know the company doesn't have too, but man, do they have any pride or community dignity at all?

SpongeG · #**7486** Posted **May 29, 2011, 10:07 AM**

they used to use them years ago - they had a giant celine dion - shudders - when she had her perfume out you could see it from robson a couple blocks away

jsbertram · #**7487** Posted **May 29, 2011, 7:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metro-One

The funniest thing is there actually are built in areas on the corners of the Sears building for large posters, they even have built in spot lamps, yet Sears never uses these, such a horrible company and horrible buildings. A few posters, lighting effects and LED screens would do wonders for that building, not to mention a good power wash.

I know the company doesn't have too, but man, do they have any pride or community dignity at all?

Since Sears is just the tenant, complaints about the exterior of the building should be aimed at Cadillac Fairview Corporation.
It seems to me they are more interested in new & spiffy office tower lobbies or new & spiffy mall areas instead of power-washing the exterior or Sears -so we know what their priorities are.

I predict there will be a lot of "Proudly Canadian" ads from Sears and The Bay when Target starts opening their stores.
But not so "Proudly Canadian" to get their landlord to clean the outside walls of the store.
Such is the difference when you lease your building (Sears) or own it (The Bay)
Then again, The Bay can't seem to figure out how to light the underside of their awnings.

jlousa · #**7488** Posted **May 30, 2011, 2:34 AM**

Quote:

A recent land swap has Bentall Kennedy poised to build a landmark building, which could be one of Vancouver’s tallest structures, a couple of blocks from the Burrard station.
Bentall Kennedy secured ownership of a 0.73-acre site at the corner of West Pender and Thurlow streets after it agreed to a transaction with West Pender Property Group. Bentall bought the corner building at 1090 West Pender Street on behalf of client Westpen Funds in exchange for $19.5 million
and a 50% stake in the mid-block 1050 West Pender Street structure, which Bentall Kennedy’s client previously fully owned.
“We now control from 1050 West Pender Street all the way to the corner,” Astles said. He added that Bentall aims to rezone the property for a potential new office building but, because of the leases in the building that the company acquired, the plan could take some time to realize.

Source: This weeks BIV

Don't expect any immediate movement on this but it's good to see that Bentall has big plans, and feels that with all the office projects on the go that their is still appetite for more.

Canadian Mind · #**7489** Posted **May 30, 2011, 2:37 AM**

Are they envisioning future demand due to the olympic effect, or possibly other factors?

s211 · #**7490** Posted **May 30, 2011, 3:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canadian Mind

Are they envisioning future demand due to the olympic effect, or possibly other factors?

Other factors. Olympics not even a needle mover.

dreambrother808 · #**7491** Posted **May 30, 2011, 4:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsbertram

I predict there will be a lot of "Proudly Canadian" ads from Sears and The Bay when Target starts opening their stores.

Sears has never been Canadian.

SpikePhanta · #**7492** Posted **May 30, 2011, 6:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

Sears has never been Canadian.

Eaton's

Skook · #**7493** Posted **May 31, 2011, 1:06 AM**

The Only Seafood sign is beautifully restored and up in it's original location on Hastings Street. Any one know if something is going in there? A restaurant might even make it in that location now the way the Gastown food district is expanding.

Also, Save on Foods has been repainted and looks ready to open soon.

dreambrother808 · #**7494** Posted **May 31, 2011, 1:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpikePhanta

Eaton's

Yes, the building formerly housed a Canadian company but that does not make Sears in any way Canadian.

jlousa · #**7495** Posted **May 31, 2011, 1:29 AM**

I've heard rumours of Only Seafood re-opening in it's original iteration but last I heard it was only a vision and the funds weren't there. Hope they found the money. Save On Meats re-opening soon will definitely bring another spark to the area.
There\s also more movement on some future developments in the area as well, unfortunately it's too early for me to disclose anything yet.

Prometheus · #**7496** Posted **May 31, 2011, 1:56 AM**

Quote:

A recent land swap has Bentall Kennedy poised to build a landmark building, which could be one of Vancouver’s tallest structures, a couple of blocks from the Burrard station.

How could this be? City Hall's archaic viewcone laws dictate that one is permitted to build only to 400 feet in that area.

sacrifice333 · #**7497** Posted **May 31, 2011, 2:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

Yes, the building formerly housed a Canadian company but that does not make Sears in any way Canadian.

Proudly bought out a Canadian company...

... just like Target.

officedweller · #**7498** Posted **May 31, 2011, 2:07 AM**

SW corner of Pender & Thurlow can go to about 550 ft I think.

SpikePhanta · #**7499** Posted **May 31, 2011, 2:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

Yes, the building formerly housed a Canadian company but that does not make Sears in any way Canadian.

Sears bought Eaton's and re branded all the stores under the Sears banner and the store are operated by Sears Canada

The way the Canadian branch was formed makes it very well Canadian (Simpsons cofounded it)

Prometheus · #**7500** Posted **May 31, 2011, 2:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

SW corner of Pender & Thurlow can go to about 550 ft I think.

1090 West Pender is on the SE corner.