Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project | Completed

[mr.x]

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[mr.x]

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[vansky]

Originally Posted by mr.x2

I think you've just ruined your credibility right there by condoning vandalism.


The time to be critical about the design would've been during the design process years ago, that would have been useful and constructive criticism. I don't see how "slap us" would better ourselves when the $883-million has been spent on the concrete, steel, and wood you've seen.

Fact is, this is a unique world-class facility. I've been to a few convention centres including Hong Kong's, and ours matches its elegance and in some ways is better than Hong Kong's.

I didn't say I didn't like it. I'm saying that victory needs criticism by slapping yourself so you can be better next time. Let's face it, we just lost the ritz-carlton for no reason other than an unachieved buying rate. That means the city is either poor locally, or is not as internationally attractive as we would think.

[paradigm4]

This building is stunning and gorgeous. Well worth the money IMO. There's nothing like it in the city. It's just jaw-dropping.

I really wish the government would make some serious investments in retrofitting a lot of our public infrastructure (Canada Place, BC Place, SkyTrain, hospitals, universities, etc.) to have the same modern West Coast style inside.

God knows Canada Place definitely needs some upgrading now. Hopefully it will look half decent when September rolls around. Same goes for BC Place.

[paradigm4]

Originally Posted by vansky

I didn't say I didn't like it. I'm saying that victory needs criticism by slapping yourself so you can be better next time. Let's face it, we just lost the ritz-carlton for no reason other than an unachieved buying rate. That means the city is either poor locally, or is not as internationally attractive as we would think.

Not to derail the thread, but who the hell cares whether we have a Ritz-Carlton or not?! Vancouver has developed an extremely positive reputation based on innovative livable city building - I think we should stick on that path and not get bogged down into trying to be so world-class that we forget about what's actually important. And a hotel for the rich is the last thing we should be worrying about IMO.

Also, I would say the VCC is a way more important project for the city than the Shangri-La.

[johnjimbc]

Funny, I thought the nearly unprecedented global economic slowdown might have been a factor

I appreciate your criticisms, actually, but I just couldn't let that one pass. Pointing out the financial uncertainty of high-end residential projects at this time is hardly a good example of the appeal of any given city at a time like this. I'll bet if we look real hard, we can find a Manhattan project that is delayed or canceled. That would hardly mean the Big Apple has lost its luster.

No, I am not saying Vancouver is New York City. It's not. But your logic on the Ritz Carlton Residences as a sign of the appeal of Vancouver internationally is rather weak.

[zivan56]

Are those beehives on the green roof? I thought keeping beehives violates some city bylaw?

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by vansky

I didn't say I didn't like it. I'm saying that victory needs criticism by slapping yourself so you can be better next time. Let's face it, we just lost the ritz-carlton for no reason other than an unachieved buying rate. That means the city is either poor locally, or is not as internationally attractive as we would think.

Many projects around the world are being dropped and canceled quickly. Such projects are funded internationally or has at least some international financial backing, our Ritz Carlton was one of thousands and thousands and thousands. Dubai is probably one of the worst cities hit. And by "international", it often means Wall Street. More locally, just look at the Olympic Village. It was largely funded by Fortress, located on Wall Street, but the company was hit hard by the recession and is facing bankruptcy. They didn't have the money to continue funding the Olympic Village project, and so they had to let it go.

You've seemed to completely ignore the fact that the Ritz Carlton was a go-ahead and a construction-in-progress until the recession kicked in. It has nothing to do with the city not being poor locally or internationally attractive.

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by zivan56

Are those beehives on the green roof? I thought keeping beehives violates some city bylaw?

Yup, these are beehives...

[mr.x]

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[mr.x]

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[flight_from_kamakura]

wow, thanks guys for the awesome photos. i love the one with the float plan landing.

to offer a contrary opinion (oh, why not?) really, there's a lot lot lot of good, the interior looks fantastic for instance, but doesn't this whole thing look like darth vader's lair? it's so grey and gloomy. honestly, sometimes i wonder if there isn't a secret bylaw in vanada that outlaws color, style and charm. on the positive side, at least the building will blend in perfectly with the surrounding generic glass towers and depressing grey skies.

still, there's no denying that it's a monumental achievement, the sort only a billion dollars could buy.

[dreambrother808]

I won't be back in Vancouver until next month, so thank you, X2, for your enthusiastic postings.

[clooless]

Thank you to everyone that posted the great pics.

My friend Carrie works at Great Little Box Company and she told me that they provided the large "Vancouver" display for the convention center, with the proviso that GLBC had to recycle the material used to construct the display after the open house.

I am extremely impressed with the new convention center, save for the weird light on top of the roof. I am not digging whatever that is.

[entheosfog]

Just a couple from me:

[Spork]

Excellent pics. I am very impressed with the building as well. The ballroom has got to be the best part. Amazing lighting, decor, and view. I would love to see a DJ in there with that MASSIVE projection screen.

The chairs are also very comfortable (standard convention ones, not lounge areas), far superior to Canada Place's chairs.

[vansky]

Originally Posted by mr.x2

Many projects around the world are being dropped and canceled quickly. Such projects are funded internationally or has at least some international financial backing, our Ritz Carlton was one of thousands and thousands and thousands. Dubai is probably one of the worst cities hit. And by "international", it often means Wall Street. More locally, just look at the Olympic Village. It was largely funded by Fortress, located on Wall Street, but the company was hit hard by the recession and is facing bankruptcy. They didn't have the money to continue funding the Olympic Village project, and so they had to let it go.

You've seemed to completely ignore the fact that the Ritz Carlton was a go-ahead and a construction-in-progress until the recession kicked in. It has nothing to do with the city not being poor locally or internationally attractive.

I read that they said there wasn't enough purchase or deposit to make sure it would be constructed, something like that. So i made the comment that it could be that not many buyers are interested in this project, or even the city at large, so the demand wasn't met. Yes, then it could be the case that those who liked it at the first place now can't afford it.

[crazyjoeda]

I check this out today and I was super impressed. It looks great from outside, but inside it is beautiful. I was just blown away the main ballroom; its huge, the panorama view, the lights, the massive video screen and the decor were all incredible. This is the nicest convention centre that I have ever seen; people talk about how great Hong Kong's convention centre is but having seen both I like Vancouver's way better.

[Vancity]

I've also seen HK's convention centre (although, I admit, I've never been inside the convention centre), and I honestly like HK's design much better than Vancouver's convention centre. Having seen the pictures of our convention centre, though, I'll have to say I'm still impressed with the quality of work that's been done. I hope that when the new Vancouver Art Gallery gets built, we'll have a world-class design =)

[Delirium]

thanks for the great pictures everyone! i wasn't able to make it in person so this really helps

don't know if this was mentioned before but the convention centre has a page on Youtube with videos interviewing the architects on everything from the roof to materials to the design. it's pretty good -

http://www.youtube.com/user/vancouverconvention

also, the cc has a sleek new website up www.vancouverconventioncentre.ca. there's some nice pictures in the image gallery..


from www.vancouverconventioncentre.ca


from www.vancouverconventioncentre.ca


from www.vancouverconventioncentre.ca