Chinatown Updates Discussion

[Tetsuo]

I'm looking to purchase eventually in this neighbourhood, would it be better to wait and see what happens to the viaducts and the former Hoogan's Alley lands ?

Apologies for doing my best AudiA3 impression here.

[Locked In]

Thanks OD. See the Jimi Hendrix shrine while you can I guess!

https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.27766...s2012-05?hl=en

[Alex Mackinnon]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

^ yes so good to see. That corner looked so run down and dumpy

The top part looks like it was tacked on. It would be nice if the red brick corner just went all the way up

Aww crap. There goes the Brickhouse and Jimi Hendrix Experience for another vegan restaurant. It doesn't look bad though.

[logan5]

Save the Brickhouse! We gotta retain a bit character for Main street.

[GMasterAres]

Unfortunately I haven't paid much attention to development around that area since I'm rarely near Chinatown in a given year, but really good to see all the dev and all the buildings going up.

Will help the neighborhood clean up for sure and bring a different vibe. I think a successful Chinatown will help the city immensely. I also like the fact they are sticking to shorter buildings. That neighborhood will definitely have a different vibe than what you get in Yaletown, the West End, etc. and transition nicely with Gastown.

[osirisboy]

What's the deal with the substation across the street? Will it be closed in the near future or renovated?

[officedweller]

I think that substation is essential to downtown power (even with the new one on West 6th near Yukon)

I like the way the brick (or painted concrete?) building parts maintain the cornice line.

[jlousa]

Some additional details about the 137 Keefer proposal, the deep parkade and the automated system imply the project will be high end.

The DE application was received to develop the site located in HA-1A area of Chinatown. The proposal is to construct a 9-storey residential building with retail on the ground floor, and underground parking and bicycle storage. The proposed total floor area is 30,196 sf and the maximum height is 26.75m. There are 14 residential units on 8 levels and one commercial unit on the ground floor. The automated parking system accommodates 19 parking stalls on 4 levels with access via the lane. 17 bicycle spaces are provided, 3 of which are lockers.
The proposal is generally compliant with HA-1A zoning district requirements and there are no zoning variances or relaxations requested. The applicant presented a study on a historic neighborhood context, prepared by Donald Luxton and Associates Inc., to ensure high level of contextual response. In addition, the proposal has given thorough consideration to the “Chinatown Character and Advice to Developers and Architects”, a short paper prepared by
the Vancouver Chinatown Revitalization Committee outlining some important aspects of Chinatown character.

[the_prof]

Originally Posted by Alex Mackinnon

Aww crap. There goes the Brickhouse and Jimi Hendrix Experience for another vegan restaurant. It doesn't look bad though.

One of the renders actually shows that the Jimi Hendrix shrine may be preserved in some form (see the bottom right corner)

[red-paladin]

I'm not sure that 728-796 Main is 'Chinatowny' enough.

[a very long weekend]

now schouw is bringing his refined taste to the task of trying to make chinatown look like actual mainland china. the guy would be criminally prosecuted if there were any justice in the world.

[officedweller]

Changing City updates has added info on the Main & Union site - it says it's one of the few in the area that can go to 150 ft.

http://changingcitybook.com/2014/09/08/main-and-union/

[Locked In]

Originally Posted by officedweller

From Changing City Updates - a James Schouw project at 137 Keefer St.
...

This project was not supported by the UDP last week - apparently the panel was very critical of its appearance and fit with, and proximity to, neighbouring buildings.

[jlousa]

I read that and thought it was a little odd as it did have the support of the Chinatown heritage committee, I'm sure it'll be approved with only minimal changes.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by Locked In

This project was not supported by the UDP last week - apparently the panel was very critical of its appearance and fit with, and proximity to, neighbouring buildings.

Does the city hate James Schouw? This reasoning makes no sense.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Locked In

This project was not supported by the UDP last week - apparently the panel was very critical of its appearance and fit with, and proximity to, neighbouring buildings.

Maybe they objected to the arch?
The balconies seem consistent with the Chinatown vernacular.
The asymmetry (narrow slit on the right side) is necessary at grade for the residential lobby, next to the commercial space.

[Locked In]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Maybe they objected to the arch?
The balconies seem consistent with the Chinatown vernacular.
The asymmetry (narrow slit on the right side) is necessary at grade for the residential lobby, next to the commercial space.

As reported in Novae Res Urbis, here are some of the comments:

But panel members said the project, midblock between Columbia and Main, featuring a large, marble archway over the retail unit and an arched window on the lane, did not reflect anything in Chinatown. “This building looks like it was designed by European architects,” Goran Ostojic said.
Matthew Soules, who suggested the project was “elitist” and looked like gentrification, said it was not in keeping with Chinatown. “This is a set of tastes imported from somewhere else,” he said.
Soules also urged the project team to do away with the parking altogether, although developer James Schouw insisted that some buyers would want their cars in the building. The panel, which did not support the project, also expressed concern that the building would be too close to its neighbours and would create privacy issues. “I find the project holds disrespect for its neighbourhood and its neighbour,” Bragg said.

[officedweller]

Thanks.
That makes sense, although having the buildings butt up to each other shouldn't create privacy issues.

[the_prof]

From my window it looks like the crane on the Keefer Block is gone so things are nearing completion on this one (at least from the outside)

[hollywoodnorth]

245 east georgia is now in the demo-excavation phase! exciting stuff for chinatown continues!

http://changingcitybook.com/2013/01/...eorgia-street/