Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project | Completed

[EdinVan]

Originally Posted by mr.x

^ there goes the views.

So sad. One step forward, two steps back, as is typical of Vancouver.

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by EdinVan

So sad. One step forward, two steps back, as is typical of Vancouver.

yea ok WTF?

[EdinVan]

Originally Posted by mr.x

It hinders the dramatic and grandiose design of the convention centre.

Precisely. It doesn't matter how high up you are on the CC when looking out towards the North Shore; unless a personally is totally blind, it will be more than apparent that there is a marina in front of them. But because this is an issue of design and taste, I don't expect that the straight male majority on here can appreciate the concern here. (For God's sake, there are people on here who think that the Robson Square renovations have been a success and that the concrete on Granville Street looks sophisticated).

[mr.x]

^ exactly. It's not about functionality, but the whole art of it - the concept.


Robson Square renovations have been a huge disappointment...i haven't seen what Granville Street looks like lately, last time i was there was a month ago so i can't give any input.

[Hed Kandi]

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[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by EdinVan

I don't expect that the straight male majority on here can appreciate the concern here.

That was rather prejudicial.

[johnjimbc]

I've been in the convention centre and looked out the grand windows facing the north shore. You have to look DOWN (as in almost straight down) to see the area where the marina will sit. And that's true even while standing directly in front of the windows. If you are more than a few steps back from the windows, you can barely see where the harbour water meets the north shore. Even on the first functional windowed level of the convention centre, the natural view out the windows is higher up on north shore mountains, with the mountain skyline as the main focal point.

Having a marina there is not going to destroy anyone's views or diminish the convention centre. Just as people tend to go to the windows to look DOWN to watch the seaplanes land now, they will wander up to look DOWN at the pretty boats in the marina. The vast majority of visitors will consider that a cool thing, not some embarrassing eyesore to be endured.

My gosh, people are acting like they are building a fuel refinery on a pedestal right outside the windows.

And as a full-fledged member of the "design enhanced" non-heterosexual population , my vote counts twice on this I guess (the last statement is a direct joke on the strange comment earlier, before anyone mistakenly takes it seriously).

I can appreciate a difference of opinions on the matter, but please a bit of perspective here. The decision to have a marina below the convention centre is hardly a make-or-break design element. Some will see it as an enhancement of the facility, others will see it as detracting from the design. But the range is narrow.

There is going to be a seaplane dock anyway. I figure the marina elements in some ways will balance it. I'd rather see 3 or 4 basically equivalent docks than a single one on one end. I think just having one would make it seem "stuck on." Having a design for the entire width allows it to be more like a planned, cohesive element.

Regarding Hed Kandi's question on the configuration, I hope the final design is more like the first image. it just looks more graceful. Plus I don't think it's necessarily a good idea to have boat and seaplane traffic "mixing" on the docks like the second image implies. Seems the seaplanes would need their own dedicated dock.

[mrjauk]

Originally Posted by EdinVan

Precisely. It doesn't matter how high up you are on the CC when looking out towards the North Shore; unless a personally is totally blind, it will be more than apparent that there is a marina in front of them. But because this is an issue of design and taste, I don't expect that the straight male majority on here can appreciate the concern here. (For God's sake, there are people on here who think that the Robson Square renovations have been a success and that the concrete on Granville Street looks sophisticated).

I didn't know that heterosexuality and good design taste were mutually exclusive. Wow, now I have an important decision to make--remain a heterosexual, or lose my sense of taste and design. I'll get back to you on that. I had no idea that this forum could be so educational.

[Yume-sama]

Well, I agree with JJBC. It is actually much higher up than it looks, and no views will be blocked. From a distance it may take away from the architecture of the convention centre, but, it almost looks unfinished anyways Considering the green roof never changed from a nice shade of brown to be actually like... green. It's really not the most striking from afar, and is almost camouflaged in to the background.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3670026062/

[Hed Kandi]

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[SpongeG]

yes that seems to be it

[wrenegade]

Closer to the 2nd one.

[jlousa]

The seaplane terminal and marina will also bring 100's of additional people a day onto the plaza, helping increase demand for retailers. As it was pretty obvious this summer, there just isn't enough people on the plaza to sustain businesses, hopefully the increase in bodies will help to create a critical mass.

[Canadian Mind]

Originally Posted by jlousa

The seaplane terminal and marina will also bring 100's of additional people a day onto the plaza, helping increase demand for retailers. As it was pretty obvious this summer, there just isn't enough people on the plaza to sustain businesses, hopefully the increase in bodies will help to create a critical mass.

Nice to see someone say something like this. Will there be other ammenities or services added to the area in the coming years to further ttract a mass of people?

[CBeats]

People like looking at boats.

Boats look good on the water.

That's all.

[Canadian Mind]

Originally Posted by CBeats

People like looking at boats.

Boats look good on the water.

That's all.

Good post. Same can be said for float planes. For a tourist who's never been to Vancouver before, or any major city in the pacific northwest, seeing float planes beside downtown will make them feel that much closer to the border of human civilization and nature. I know my favorite memories from growing up on the west coast was flying around in an amphibious twin-otter. Had 48 inch tyres mounted on retractable landing gear in addition to the pontoons.

[metroXpress]

This picture is awfully familiar.....



I believe it's mine?

[Hed Kandi]

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[Hed Kandi]

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[Hed Kandi]

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