Landmark on Robson | Completed

[globeman]

End of an Empire II

End of an Empire, Vancouver by globetrekimages, on Flickr

[globeman]

The Empire Hotel towering over its 60s and 70s domain

Grey City, Vancouver, BC, Canada by globetrekimages, on Flickr

[globeman]

In the golden hour

The West End in the Golden Hour, Vancouver, BC by globetrekimages, on Flickr

[whatnext]

Great photo globeman, thanks! The building has a simplicity and honesty of design that will be missed.

[trofirhen]

As Whatnext said, it has a simplicity and honesty of design that I'll miss, too. And what they're replacing with is so ... so ... banal. Only losing the Birks Building made me sadder.

[rofina]

Originally Posted by globeman

In the golden hour

The West End in the Golden Hour, Vancouver, BC by globetrekimages, on Flickr

Amazing photo, not only because of the lighting, but the angle makes it seem like a city that's not Vancouver.

No mountains, older buildings, gentle rise on the left.

Brilliant shot.

[Feathered Friend]

I picked up some news about the Empire demolition at the open house for 1444 Alberni.

Sadly, for those select few who enjoy such things (in short, all of us), there will be no implosion of this building. Apparently with the dangers of silica exposure, WorkSafeBC has all but banned the practice.

Instead, the demolition will use a combination of Mastclimbers and Brokk Demolition machines. Apparently the result will be a much quieter and faster demolition than if done by traditional means (exempting the obvious implosion method). The process should be completed by December 2018.

Video of a Brokk in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzsOp_QKfsE

There is an even more impressive technology that is being brought to Canada, but not in time for this project. That method, using the jacks, allows for a tower to be demolished floor by floor from the bottom up!

Video of the process:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwf9LoS9Xt8

[connect2source]

Fantastic info, Feathered Friend, should make for some incredible photos over the next 12 months.

[idunno]

So sad to hear that there won't be an implosion! I'd been telling everyone lol.

[bb1510]

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

I picked up some news about the Empire demolition at the open house for 1444 Alberni.

Sadly, for those select few who enjoy such things (in short, all of us), there will be no implosion of this building. Apparently with the dangers of silica exposure, WorkSafeBC has all but banned the practice.

Instead, the demolition will use a combination of Mastclimbers and Brokk Demolition machines. Apparently the result will be a much quieter and faster demolition than if done by traditional means (exempting the obvious implosion method). The process should be completed by December 2018.

Video of a Brokk in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzsOp_QKfsE

There is an even more impressive technology that is being brought to Canada, but not in time for this project. That method, using the jacks, allows for a tower to be demolished floor by floor from the bottom up!

Video of the process:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwf9LoS9Xt8

Can attest to this as well about the fact that there won't be an implosion. Was told at the vip event Magnum hosted in early August but was told not to share photos so I assumed it meant to not share info as well.

The sales staff were disappointed as well that there would be no implosion given what a spectacle it would've been. S/He (don't want to get anyone in trouble" said s/he confirmed with the developer and city numerous times about the demolition method

[bb1510]

one bedrooms ~5/600 sq ft are starting at 1.45-1.55m......crazy..

considering how there are so many other projects popping up by starchitects, this would be my last choice if I were in the market for something like this

[rofina]

Originally Posted by bb1510

one bedrooms ~5/600 sq ft are starting at 1.45-1.55m......crazy..

considering how there are so many other projects popping up by starchitects, this would be my last choice if I were in the market for something like this

Maybe presales fail and the Landmark lives on!?

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by bb1510

one bedrooms ~5/600 sq ft are starting at 1.45-1.55m......crazy..

considering how there are so many other projects popping up by starchitects, this would be my last choice if I were in the market for something like this

Global capital looking places to stash money is their market.

[Spoolmak]

I thought the whole point of building more condos was to help with the housing crisis, and bring in more competion so prices go down. We will believe anything we hear won’t we, Vancouver

[Vin]

Originally Posted by bb1510

one bedrooms ~5/600 sq ft are starting at 1.45-1.55m......crazy..

considering how there are so many other projects popping up by starchitects, this would be my last choice if I were in the market for something like this

Hey, they gotta factor in the big fat demolition bill too, don't they? I hope they don't sell a single unit.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by Spoolmak

I thought the whole point of building more condos was to help with the housing crisis, and bring in more competion so prices go down. We will believe anything we hear won’t we, Vancouver

that a lie people buy. "more supply will help" that's a crock

[rofina]

Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture

that a lie people buy. "more supply will help" that's a crock

As with anything in life - its not black and white.

More supply will help, but in the way and to the degree people would like to think.

15 years from now these units will be relatively more affordable to new units going up.

Currently, they are absurdly priced for the level of product.

However, on the flip side of the coin, I can also assure you a freeze on building will not result in lower prices.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture

that a lie people buy. "more supply will help" that's a crock

More supply on existing low density sites, like SFH neighbourhoods, like Strathcona, Kingsway, Kitsilano, Shaunessey, Renfrew etc. Not one or two ultra-expensive lots downtown that are recently allowed to go a little taller and denser, with lots of work to be done on the former structures, and the City asking for "contributions".

[casper]

Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture

that a lie people buy. "more supply will help" that's a crock

What is the alternative for this site....

1. Leave the existing hotel as is. New coast of paint. Rent room out at $100 to $200 a night an econo hotel.

2. Replace it with a new high end hotel. Rent rooms at $300 to $1,000 per night.

3. Build high end condos.

I just don't see any other alternative for this location. Do you?

[Tetsuo]

Create rental suites ala PaPa (Pacific Palisades)

And to add a "VIN special", convert existing hotel amenities/parking/ballroom podium into a retail mini mall, alongside redevelopment of the Eastern portion of the site.