The Exchange | 115.7m | 31fl, 13fl | 400,000sqft. | Completed

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Vin

The old exchange building is still a facade of its former glory: a bastardized Frankenstein fusion of modern glass and heritage walls: not the greatest IMO. Call me a purist, but I prefer the Hotel Georgia development much more, with a distinct separation of the modern glass tower and the heritage building.

Here, they should've built the new tower at the Chapman and the two low-rise sites, but leaving the old heritage building intact. Again, as in many other cases in this city: loss opportunity.

When this project was proposed, the Chapman site wasn't available - it was said that the owners thought it was a 'ransom' site and worth far more than fair market value, so the project that was designed had to fit on what could be acquired to make economic sense at the time.

If it hadn't squeezed into the area it now occupies, it could have been delayed for many years if the Jameson residents had taken the City to court. The compromise design isn't ideal, but it's far from terrible - like other Downtown projects (Shangri La and Trump for example), a policy context led to a much more interesting design outcome (in their case, viewcones).

The heritage building is still pretty much all there - they didn't strip it to a façade, but rather injected the columns and services for the tower through the heritage fabric. (Unlike other early Downtown office buildings, it was built in reinforced concrete, so it needed some seismic additional integrity).

[officedweller]

I like the juxtaposition of the new above the old.
They've done a very good job here - probably better than if they stood separately side-by-side like an awkward couple.

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by Vin

The old exchange building is still a facade of its former glory: a bastardized Frankenstein fusion of modern glass and heritage walls: not the greatest IMO. Call me a purist, but I prefer the Hotel Georgia development much more, with a distinct separation of the modern glass tower and the heritage building.

Here, they should've built the new tower at the Chapman and the two low-rise sites, but leaving the old heritage building intact. Again, as in many other cases in this city: loss opportunity.

Disagree completely.

This project has been exceptionally respectful of the old building. This isn't just a facade job and a modern glass box built in the shell of the old building (like the Hearst Building in NYC). They've done a great job of keeping the old building intact and separating the modern portion from it, despite it encroaching on the old building's air space.

Do we have any pictures of the lobby of the Old Stock Exchange Building post renovation? Would love to see how it was handled.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Changing City

When this project was proposed, the Chapman site wasn't available - it was said that the owners thought it was a 'ransom' site and worth far more than fair market value, so the project that was designed had to fit on what could be acquired to make economic sense at the time.

If it hadn't squeezed into the area it now occupies, it could have been delayed for many years if the Jameson residents had taken the City to court. The compromise design isn't ideal, but it's far from terrible - like other Downtown projects (Shangri La and Trump for example), a policy context led to a much more interesting design outcome (in their case, viewcones).

The heritage building is still pretty much all there - they didn't strip it to a façade, but rather injected the columns and services for the tower through the heritage fabric. (Unlike other early Downtown office buildings, it was built in reinforced concrete, so it needed some seismic additional integrity).

Thanks. I know it would have been delayed with the Jameson residents taking the City to court, but that's precisely my point: too much power for residents who choose to live in the financial core of a high-rise city! Again, giving up heritage protection and losing out to a bunch of Nimbys.

Originally Posted by officedweller

I like the juxtaposition of the new above the old.
They've done a very good job here - probably better than if they stood separately side-by-side like an awkward couple.

Originally Posted by Jebby

Disagree completely.

This project has been exceptionally respectful of the old building. This isn't just a facade job and a modern glass box built in the shell of the old building (like the Hearst Building in NYC). They've done a great job of keeping the old building intact and separating the modern portion from it, despite it encroaching on the old building's air space.

Do we have any pictures of the lobby of the Old Stock Exchange Building post renovation? Would love to see how it was handled.

Well, I'm glad you like this but I don't. For me, I don't think the original building was respected at all. The original essence of the Exchange building is gone. See below for one of the lost facades.

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/...a-joe-fox.html

Plus the bastardization of the old building will make the new duo-combo age terribly.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Vin

The original essence of the Exchange building is gone. See below for one of the lost facades.

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/...a-joe-fox.html

The side is not a façade.

It's meant to be built up to - that's why there are light wells.

i.e. The RBC Building at Granville & Hastings will be butted up to.

The Vancouver Block on Granville looks ridiculous with its side wall and light well exposed on both sides.

[jollyburger]

I don't know but the Old Exchange Building was never that interesting for some reason.

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Sept.18 '17, my pic

Oct.31 '17, my pics

[domusile]

Did the hotel portion ever get approved? The one in the old stock exchange building that is.

[Vin]

I took a peek at the lift lobby: it looked pretty decent and elegant, but a lot more plain than that of the Marine Building.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by officedweller

The side is not a façade.

It's meant to be built up to - that's why there are light wells.

i.e. The RBC Building at Granville & Hastings will be butted up to.

The Vancouver Block on Granville looks ridiculous with its side wall and light well exposed on both sides.

To me, its a facade when it has windows.

It may look ridiculous at Vancouver Block, but certainly not here back then.

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by Vin

To me, its a facade when it has windows.

That doesn't make it a facade....

[LeftCoaster]

This building has been such a pleasant surprise, the details have been executed so well.

Originally Posted by domusile

Did the hotel portion ever get approved? The one in the old stock exchange building that is.

Yes.

The new hotel goes to DP board Feb 19th.

[SpongeG]

the Lindt store is apparently opening november 7th? any photos of it yet? where is it going? judging from those nov 1 pics it doesn't look like there is anything that ready to open.

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

the Lindt store is apparently opening november 7th? any photos of it yet? where is it going? judging from those nov 1 pics it doesn't look like there is anything that ready to open.

Sorry, I didn't get a pic of it but I'm pretty sure I remember seeing a Lindt sign in the retail space next to the alley. That would be on the far right in the image below. I'll try to get a pic next I'm over that way.

Oh, and I put the wrong date on those pics. They were actually October 31st. Corrected now.




Oct.31 '17, my pic

[SpongeG]

ok cool
will try go check it out when i am home next week

[officedweller]

Thanks.
Maybe we'll see National Bank signage on the top of the tower soon.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

the Lindt store is apparently opening november 7th? any photos of it yet? where is it going? judging from those nov 1 pics it doesn't look like there is anything that ready to open.

Interior is complete and looks like they were training staff today.

[s211]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Thanks.
Maybe we'll see National Bank signage on the top of the tower soon.

Knowing the city, get out binoculars or the Hubble in order to see the logo.

[Vin]

Walked by there yesterday, looks like Lindt cafe is almost completed. It is looking really good, a million times better than the National Bank, and way more fitting for a hotel.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by s211

Knowing the city, get out binoculars or the Hubble in order to see the logo.

The support brackets were pretty well spaced in earlier pics.