Downtown Vancouver Updates

[Vanville]

Well I don't feel the park needs to be tiny and sad. If the grand facade of the former Merchant's Bank gets restored that corner could be quite nice. (Notwithstanding the areas pitfalls over the last 60 years or so). That carbuncle of a public toilet should be moved elsewhere tho. Hopefully the rest of that side of the street will eventually be restored. Jacqui Cohen has made a fortune with her Army & Navy store but it looks like she is letting it rot these days. I'm sure she's hoping to redevelop the entire site with a shiny new office tower so can afford to redecorate her opulent Point Grey digs, who knows she might even own most of the block. Intact streetscapes are hard to come by (have a look across the street about mid-block, much has been demolished due to neglect). But that side of the street has so much potential & could be restored like the 100-block of West Hastings (just ignore 164 West Hastings).

[jlousa]

Jacqui did shop her site to some developers around the time Woodwards was going up. She was actually interested in have her flagship upgraded and a bunch of social and affordable housing being built above her store at that time. The numbers didn't work back then, and I imagine they are probably even worse now. She certainly wasn't looking at cashing in back then. No idea what her current plans are now as it's been a while since I've spoken to her about it.

[s211]

Originally Posted by Vanville

I'm sure she's hoping to redevelop the entire site with a shiny new office tower

so can afford to redecorate her opulent Point Grey digs,

who knows she might even own most of the block.

1) Office tower on that site?

2) indignant social warrior stance?

3) wild speculation to fuel your conspiracy?

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Vanville

...


http://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/uploa...a-fc6d-4a66-8779-8ad7cc01928e-A21872.jpg
Source: City of Vancouver Archives 447-334


Here's another googie from 1948, 450 West Georgia St:


Source: VPL Special Collections. Accession Number:27909

Thanks for posting!

The one on Georgia had Fido as its last tenant.

[Vanville]

Originally Posted by s211

1) Office tower on that site?

2) indignant social warrior stance?

3) wild speculation to fuel your conspiracy?

Perhaps I was being a bit harsh, but there has to be a reason those buildings are no longer being kept up. This is still in the works, it's just a matter of time:

"Army & Navy owner Jacqui Cohen owns the lion's share of the block bounded by Hastings, Cordova, Carrall and Abbott streets. She wants to redevelop the block, which includes parking lots, a head office, a hotel and her chain's original 93-year-old store."
Source: Business in Vancouver, April 2013, Glen Korstrom

[Vanville]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Thanks for posting!

The one on Georgia had Fido as its last tenant.

Thanks, it was a neat little googie structure in the middle of downtown. I don't know of any left around here but another one that's interesting & under constant threat of demo is down in Tacoma. It also started out as a car showroom & still remains as one today: Sharp & Sons USA of Yesterday Motors @ 455 St. Helens Ave. Tacoma, WA If you get a chance go inside & check out the interior; staircase & basement before it too is gone. (Sorry folks if this is a little off topic).

[officedweller]

Thanks.
Most of the art deco / art moderne inspired building have been torn down around Vancouver.

*********

WRT the ARmy & Navy buildings - the Cordova side is the heritage side.

[domusile]

http://www.vancouvermarket.ca/2015/12/10/rezoning-proposed-for-west-georgia-flatiron-site/

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by domusile

http://www.vancouvermarket.ca/2015/12/10/rezoning-proposed-for-west-georgia-flatiron-site/

Thanks.

A potential stunner to get neutered at the viewcone limit:

Rezoning Proposed for West Georgia “Flatiron” Site

Posted on December 10, 2015

A rezoning inquiry goes before City of Vancouver council next week for a site at 1445-1455 West Georgia Street, which is a two-lot assembly owned by Brilliant Circle Group since the two buildings were acquired in 2012/2013. The City’s policy report describes the 18,200 SF site as “unique and prominent due to its triangular shape and its location at the intersection of West Georgia, West Pender and Nicola Streets“.

It was reported in a Globe and Mail article earlier this year that the architect for the project is James Cheng.

The rezoning inquiry anticipates demolition and redevelopment of the two existing lowrise office buildings on the site into one landmark residential tower on what is arguably Vancouver’s most prominent “flatiron” sites. The site is currently zoned DD and while not located in the West End Plan like some of the recent nearby proposals by Westbank and Bosa, City staff do appear to support a rezoning in principal. The height can only be considered because it falls under the Granville Bridge view cone limit is 515 ft and the site is located on a main street. Preliminary details include:

a 44-storey residential tower
a building height of 515 ft.
250,000 SF of residential density (13.7 FSR)

If Council gives its approval to move forward with a rezoning application, more design details will likely emerge next year.

[Vancity]

James Cheng -__-

[officedweller]

Here's the rendering from the Globe & Mail article.
It all looks good until they choose the glass.

Originally Posted by ozonemania

The National Post has an article that features a small pic of the James Cheng project on Georgia @ Pender, at least that's what I think it is:



From the National Post

[Klazu]

Now this is a site where a tall spire should be considered. Spires should be immune to view cone restrictions (not sure if they are) as they block zero views, but can provide interesting addition to the asthetics.

515ft building is already substantial on its own, but I am just worried how it will all look together with other nearby plans that are all +-10 meters difference in height.

If they make that building with nice high-quality mirror glass I will both eatmy hat and return James Cheng on my plus list.

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by Klazu

Now this is a site where a tall spire should be considered. Spires should be immune to view cone restrictions (not sure if they are) as they block zero views, but can provide interesting addition to the asthetics.

515ft building is already substantial on its own, but I am just worried how it will all look together with other nearby plans that are all +-10 meters difference in height.

If they make that building with nice high-quality mirror glass I will both eatmy hat and return James Cheng on my plus list.

This is what I've always argued. If a tower is mirrored it actually creates a view and will totally blend in with its surroundings. Literally.

[osirisboy]

Imagine this tower clad in the glass like the howe street office building. The city needs to encourage that.

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by Denscity

If a tower is mirrored it actually creates a view and will totally blend in with its surroundings. Literally.

It also brings light to the street level during winter when sun is shining from lower.

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by Vancity

James Cheng -__-

Considering he's asian, that's a pretty racist looking face you're making.

[trofirhen]

That corner cries out for something. That "something" is forced by street geography to complement a triangular space. This is the foot of the Georgia slope upwards to the CBD. A 'gateway'.
It needs to be dramatic, elegant, the whole bit. Just how they'll ever arrive at a consensus is beyond me.

[csbvan]

In a decade, Georgia Street might be one of the most interesting corridors in the country.

[officedweller]

Depending on the materials, it could just end up being like one of the sharp corners on Shangri-La.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Here's the rendering from the Globe & Mail article.
It all looks good until they choose the glass.

This tower looks more like a monument than an actual residential tower. I can't imagine how the floors will go into that structure, hollow in the middle and flanked by 3 walls.

Am I missing something here?

Here's a war memorial in Singapore:
http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/singapore/parks_in_singapore/28/war_memorial_park.php