Downtown Vancouver Updates II

[madog222]

Originally Posted by griswold

What's going on in that corner by the lake?

Metro Vancouver water supply tunnel construction.

https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/stanley-park-water-supply-tunnel

[jollyburger]

I guess BC Housing is funding it?

343 W Pender St

Homer and Pender Limited Partnership has applied to the City of Vancouver for permission to develop the following on this site:

An 8-storey supportive housing building for seniors, containing 96 dwelling units
Façade retention of existing Heritage building
An approximate floor area of 3,758 m² (40,452 sq ft.)
An approximate height of 32 m (105 ft.)
Parking and loading accessed from the lane

The proposed development is an eight-storey BC Housing
project designed to support homeless at-risk seniors.
The existing three-storey Class B heritage building on
the southern portion of the site will be integrated into
the new design, maintaining its character-defining
façade. The remainder of the 6.48 FSR will be achieved
through new construction on the northern half of the
site and additional massing above the retained heritage.
The building will include 96 supportive housing units,
complemented by resident-specific amenities and
ancillary spaces, consistent with BC Housing Design
Guidelines and Construction Standards.

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/343-w-pender-st-2

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I guess BC Housing is funding it?



https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/343-w-pender-st-2

Strange how the rendering doesn't show the chamfered corner on the heritage block.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Strange how the rendering doesn't show the chamfered corner on the heritage block.

I think if you are far enough from the corner it does appear to look like a straight 90 degree corner. It's still there.

[csbvan]

Really sad to see the loss of retail. The strip needs activation.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by csbvan

Really sad to see the loss of retail. The strip needs activation.

ya removing all at-grade commercial at pending to the lane and having 5 studio units at grade Pender seems bad

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

ya removing all at-grade commercial at pending to the lane and having 5 studio units at grade Pender seems bad

You'd have to be pretty desperate to want to want to live at grade right on Pender Street in that area.

[jollyburger]

Seems like there's more than enough retail down there for the time being. Look at how dead West Hastings is east of Cambie. Until some of the larger redevelopments in the area bring in more people it seems like wishful thinking to think retail will do anything to help that stretch of Pender.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by whatnext

You'd have to be pretty desperate to want to want to live at grade right on Pender Street in that area.

Most of the main floor space is resident-specific amenities and ancillary spaces. Amenities such as gathering spaces, dining hall and associated commercial kitchen, laundry room, library, computer room, and ancillary spaces all contribute to a holistic housing project. The proposed development provides these spaces, identifying them as dedicated building amenity. There are only 5 studios on the main floor, and I think the most obvious location would be facing the lane off Cambie Street.

These will be supportive senior's housing units. The residents will no doubt be similar to those in the building across the street, Central City Lodge, which has 112 rooms, (including a 22 bed Addiction Recovery Program). That also doesn't have retail space.

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Seems like there's more than enough retail down there for the time being. Look at how dead West Hastings is east of Cambie. Until some of the larger redevelopments in the area bring in more people it seems like wishful thinking to think retail will do anything to help that stretch of Pender.

There are 2 recently built rental buildings and several more approved on this and adjacent blocks.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Changing City

That also doesn't have retail space.

Studios at the lane make sense (was picturing that as level 1 even as I tried to consider the elevation!)

But that is my point that the Lodge's sidewalk stretch is not good for the block

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by csbvan

There are 2 recently built rental buildings and several more approved on this and adjacent blocks.

Several of the buildings nearby don't have retail (including one of the approved buildings) and those that have been built are finding it hard to get tenants.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

Studios at the lane make sense (was picturing that as level 1 even as I tried to consider the elevation!)

But that is my point that the Lodge's sidewalk stretch is not good for the block

It's probably more financially realistic to use it for amenity space for residents if you operate a senior's facility. Pacific Coast Apartments to the east has a small social enterprise cafe, but realistically there isn't as much retail demand in this part of the 21st century, (and in this area) and long-term vacant spaces don't seem a great idea either.

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by Changing City

Several of the buildings nearby don't have retail (including one of the approved buildings) and those that have been built are finding it hard to get tenants.

No, but they are changing the demographics of the neighbourhood, adding hundreds of new residents to a 2 block stretch, and adding residents of a much different income bracket and age group than current housing nearby accommodates. If it goes forward (and given the recent changes to the design, it seems like work is progressing) there will also be a major new hotel a block away.

My concern is that the treatment of this ground level will look a lot like Central City lodge across the street, and that is anemic to vibrant street life. This is a prominent corner site, wrapping 2 downtown streets, in a preserved heritage facade.

[Zepfancouver]

Originally Posted by madog222

Metro Vancouver water supply tunnel construction.

https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/stanley-park-water-supply-tunnel

I forgot about that, things must be going well with that project, haven't heard of one complaint (disruption) or news story on its progress.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Zepfancouver

I forgot about that, things must be going well with that project, haven't heard of one complaint (disruption) or news story on its progress.

Should wrap up in 2029 and cost $495 million dollars.

https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/stanley-park-water-supply-tunnel

[Zepfancouver]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Should wrap up in 2029 and cost $495 million dollars.

https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/stanley-park-water-supply-tunnel

I see, just started or will begin dirt removal soon, so still early for dump trucks traffic complaints.
Next time I'm in the area (doing the 1818 Alberni thing) I'll check it out. Curious to see how they remove (dirt slinger ?) and transport out.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Zepfancouver

I see, just started or will begin dirt removal soon, so still early for dump trucks traffic complaints.
Next time I'm in the area (doing the 1818 Alberni thing) I'll check it out. Curious to see how they remove (dirt slinger ?) and transport out.

Chilco won't be used for tunnel excavation so you'll need to go into the park to see the Centre Shaft site

[Zepfancouver]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Chilco won't be used for tunnel excavation so you'll need to go into the park to see the Centre Shaft site

Sounds like employee access only, maybe I can pass myself off has a reporter for the SkyscraperPage News and request a tour of the site

[officedweller]

Pics by me Sept 7th:

Harwood x Thurlow
1065 Harwood St and 1332 Thurlow St