CF Pacific Centre Developments

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by ozonemania

Yes, the (original) monolithic white looked nice, but it killed street life and that's why that area has always been a dead zone.

You do realize that none of the former building's flaws regarding the pedestrian realm have been resolved in the new design? At the pedestrian level, every blank wall on the old building is still a blank wall on the new building. In some places, the new blank walls are made of glass instead of aggregate, but they are still blank walls. The underground parking entrances/exits have not been removed; the recessed alcoves have not been built out; the sidewalks have not been straightened or widened along Robson and Howe; there is no new street-facing retail or interfaces that encourage greater street life and pedestrian/building intercourse. The pedestrian dead zone along Howe Street will be as dead and inanimate as it ever was. Nothing has changed regarding the pedestrian realm.

[spm2013]

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[officedweller]

The two alcoves on Granville (at Robson and just south of the former rotunda (at the former bus stop)) will both be built out to the sidewalk.

The ramps on Howe prevent the build out of that alcove (but the removal of entrances in it worsens the situation).

The alcove at Robson & Howe is probably being retained for practical reasons - as a holding area to prevent sidewalk spill-over - but originally (in Eaton's) pedestrian congestion was accommodated by having the store entrance at the east end of the alcoive instead of on the corner.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by officedweller

The two alcoves on Granville (at Robson and just south of the former rotunda (at the former bus stop)) will both be built out to the sidewalk.

I am referring to the alcoves along Howe Street and Robson Street.

Originally Posted by spm2013

What would you do with the parking ramps?

Remove the Robson entrance ramp and Howe exit ramp entirely or find a more elegant solution/location for them.

The Robson entrance ramp and the Howe exit ramp are the sources of the all the building's pedestrian problems along Robson and Howe. Their presence necessitates the elimination of a proper corner at Robson and Howe, the narrowing of the sidewalks on both streets and thus the need for the recessed alcoves on both streets, precluding the possibility of an attractive pedestrian realm and street life there.

Imagine a wide sidewalk, cafe and large patio along Howe. With the unobstructed afternoon light from the southwest, the Howe Street sidewalk could be an attractive and lively place that feels visually connected to the cultural heart of the city: Robson Square, the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Georgia Street plaza.

[NewWester]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

I am referring to the alcoves along Howe Street and Robson Street.




Remove the Robson entrance ramp and Howe exit ramp entirely or find a more elegant solution/location for them.

You get that this building was a reclad and not a major structural renovation, right? I'm no big city engineer, but it occurs to me that redesigning and building a whole new parking arrangement would constitute significant engineering and technical challenges that likely would require major construction to the building. I totally agree that it would be pretty cool if the Howe street side was a nice strip of cafes or whatever, but I think we might need to be a little more realistic about the scope of this project and the interests of the builders and major retail tenants.

[spm2013]

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[officedweller]

They could probably get rid of the ramp from Robson Street.
The ramp from Howe provides a 2nd access point to the Howe Street tunnel - which not only provides access to the Pacific Centre parking, but also the underground loading bays for the Pacific Centre (incl. Sears/Nordstrom site), Robson Square, the Law Courts and probably VAG (not sure about that, but likely).

The Howe St. ramps and tunnel serve to enhance the streetside pedestrian environment of the other sides of the Pacific Centre and Robson Square superblocks by consolidating loading bay access without alleys.

[Pinion]

I usually park under Sears and never used those ramps. Mainly because home is to the north, but it's doable.

That tunnel is still accessible from the other Howe ramp I think? I explored deep into that place when I worked for PC. Some homeless guys had sweet set ups.

[spm2013]

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[officedweller]

Thanks for the confirmation

[SpongeG]

despite the pedestrian realm not being much better, having the offices and windows upstairs will give the building some signs of life at least

[officedweller]

Other than Howe St side, there should be more transparency into the building.
(Still wish they had subdivided the Granville side into individual storefronts)

[officedweller]

Pic by me today (no noticeable changes to the corner):

[EdinVan]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

despite the pedestrian realm not being much better, having the offices and windows upstairs will give the building some signs of life at least

How? In the daytime you probably won't see anything because of the reflection on the windows, and at night they'll probably turn off every light to reduce "light pollution". There is nothing redeeming about this renovation.

[Steveston]

Seems to me that it might be a good place for a food truck pod.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

despite the pedestrian realm not being much better, having the offices and windows upstairs will give the building some signs of life at least

Originally Posted by EdinVan

How? In the daytime you probably won't see anything because of the reflection on the windows, and at night they'll probably turn off every light to reduce "light pollution". There is nothing redeeming about this renovation.

Excuse me, but I think the reflectivity, when the building is finished, will add an open, airy feeling to downtown,
especially to the Howe Street side, which is the most visible.
And I'm sure there will be at least some lighting at night, that the building will not be a dark brooding, monolith.
It's true that the pedestrian level was never given the reworking it needed, and that's a loss. Overall, however, I think that people are
too cynical about this building. Sure it's still got its flaws ... but as I've said ... just remember what was there before.

[SpongeG]

not every building needs to be so interactive with the street sheesh

[Vin]

I like this building, but also wish that there are more see-through sections at the department store levels. That would brighten up the streets more. If there are whole swaths of walls, would be nice to see some LED light elements embedded, or some LED screens....

[officedweller]

I don't think you necessarily need to see into the store (esp. with concerns about break-ins and riots), you just need some visual interest facing the sidewalk - i.e. display windows.
I'm hoping the Howe side has some LED elements.

***************

Pic by me today.

[nickbeaulieu]

Maybe they'll use the blank walls to hang seasonal promotional signs?