Downtown Vancouver Updates

[subdude]

Strange, the architect has no mention of the Safeway project on their site anymore http://www.kasian.com/?#Work/Projects and all the images are gone that people have linked to for this project.

Found a description on another forum:

Kasian demolished a previous Safeway store and turned the space into a mixed retail space with store-front firms on the street level and Safeway on the second floor.

This new development replaced an existing Safeway store and liquor store with a mixed-use retail complex at a strategic intersection in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Located on Robson, one of the most popular pedestrian streets in Vancouver, this new development had to meet Robson Street's rigorous design guidelines including the regulation that all street-level stores have to be small retail stores with windows and a new door every 16 feet. This meant that Safeway would have to be located on a second floor of this retail complex and its leased space was a long and narrow piece of real estate - not your typical Safeway store layout.

Solution

Kasian offered a design solution that would place Safeway on the second level of a mixed retail development. Kasian worked closely with Safeway to modify their typical store layout to accommodate the dimensions of this space. To help Safeway executives fully visualize this unusual interior layout, Kasian created 3-D models and videos that offered fly-around and fly-through visuals of the complete space.

Client Impact

Safeway was satisfied that it was able to meet the stringent design guidelines of Robson Street and as a result was able to establish a successful and bustling store in one of Vancouver's busiest neighbourhoods. Kasian helped Safeway modifying the chain's typical design while maintaining its branded look and ability to offer extensive product display space.

[raggedy13]

^I haven't paid enough attention to the Safeway development. I had no idea the Safeway was going to be on the second floor. I think that's great. It'll make for some nice retail density.

[SFUVancouver]

Originally Posted by subdude

Client Impact

Safeway was satisfied that it was able to meet the stringent design guidelines of Robson Street and as a result was able to establish a successful and bustling store in one of Vancouver's busiest neighbourhoods.

Successful and bustling with construction workers for the time being.

[Built Form]

The first level of the Robson Safeway will also have the new VanCity branch which is temporarily located down the block, the new liquor store as mentioned and of coarse Starbucks on the corner.

[Built Form]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Carlos n' Buds! Good place for a cheap burger and beer.. sad to see it go.

Carlos and Buds has been gone for 2 years now.
Onni has been working very hard to get the increased density for this tower which was originally to be around 20 floors. But now the 33 story tower will also sit on a 6 story podium, like Elan and have live/work zoning in the townhomes fronting Seymour street.
The floor plates are large as the tower is a rectangle shape and is set back from Pacific street. And unlike the 501 which was marketed as entry level this tower will be much more expensive with higher end finishes.

[TwoFace]

Can't wait for the Safeway to be finished, the Urban Fair is fleecing me.
What's with that small commercial strip on the North/East side across the street?, they have been trying to finish that for years now.

[ahill]

The Safeway redevelopment should be pretty nice. It would have been great if somehow they could have included some space for the West End library to relocate though. That poor library seriously needs some help.

[dreambrother808]

and safeway isn't going to rip you off as well? maybe not as badly as urban fare but overpriced nonetheless.

[nathan6969]

Originally Posted by TwoFace

Can't wait for the Safeway to be finished, the Urban Fair is fleecing me.
What's with that small commercial strip on the North/East side across the street?, they have been trying to finish that for years now.

They actually do work on that building, but its like an hour a week. I see it's still for lease so I wonder if they're just waiting to get tenants before they go ahead and complete it. The units seem really small, I don't know how attractive it is to most tenants, and it doesn't look like the best quality.

[TwoFace]

Originally Posted by nathan6969

They actually do work on that building, but its like an hour a week.

That sounds about right.
I'm sure the City has some sort of "penalty" system in place as they have been impeding pedestrian flow for too long now with this never-ending process.

[jlousa]

For those that didn't attend any of the open house on the metro core jobs study , here are the panels.

http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/corejobs/pdf/research/step4openhousepanels.pdf

Not too bad overall, agree with most of it, but felt it could require even more commercial space. Unfortunately the people there didn't know very much and were actually given out misinformation. I overheard one of the guys telling a member of the public that council is talking about allowing an office tower higher then Shangri-la. Would be nice if they don't know what they're talking about to just say I'll can get back to you instead of stating BS.

[Delirium]

here;s a rendering of phase 2 of Paris block, called 'the annex'



'The Annex will complement its neighbour in design and purpose,' a Salient news release says. 'These two buildings will share corridors, stairs and an elevator, and the juxtaposition of old and new speaks for The Salient Group's commitment to sensitive development in Vancouver's original neighbourhood.'

http://www.lestwarog.com/newsArticle-4639.html

[dreambrother808]

^^^

that's rather boring, non?

[fever]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

^^^

that's rather boring, non?

it references the two adjacent buildings in its massing. It appears that the interior wall on the left is the exterior wall of the adjacent building as well. The spandrels could very easily look cheap.

[SFUVancouver]

Taken by SFUVancouver, June 15th, 2008.

Kindred Place social housing under construction on the right side, on Richards between Drake and Pacific.

[Hed Kandi]

Originally Posted by Delirium

here;s a rendering of phase 2 of Paris block, called 'the annex'



'The Annex will complement its neighbour in design and purpose,' a Salient news release says. 'These two buildings will share corridors, stairs and an elevator, and the juxtaposition of old and new speaks for The Salient Group's commitment to sensitive development in Vancouver's original neighbourhood.'

http://www.lestwarog.com/newsArticle-4639.html

Is this social housing?

[eduardo88]

Originally Posted by Hed Kandi

Is this social housing?

No, on their website it says "starting under $400,000", so i'm going to go ahead and guess it's not social housing.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Built Form

Carlos and Buds has been gone for 2 years now.
Onni has been working very hard to get the increased density for this tower which was originally to be around 20 floors. But now the 33 story tower will also sit on a 6 story podium, like Elan and have live/work zoning in the townhomes fronting Seymour street.
The floor plates are large as the tower is a rectangle shape and is set back from Pacific street. And unlike the 501 which was marketed as entry level this tower will be much more expensive with higher end finishes.

Funny you mention the 501. I bought there in pre-sale and still own (but don't live there). I thought it was "average" but it still seems to sell at above average prices. I monitor the area pretty closely, 501 sells in the $650/sf+ range, whereas the average is closer to $550-600. The 501 has some great finishes (or at least you had the option to put them in). It stands as one of the few buildings with a gas fireplace and stove.

Anyway, its not perfect. Most units are pretty small.

As for the commercial space, I wish them luck, it took a long time to fill the commercial space at the bottom of the 501, and I'm not sure the businesses there are doing well.

[djh]

The 501 is one of the few unique-looking buildings in that area, and for that alone I think it deserves a slight premium (all other things being equal, like quality of finishings etc.). I think the commercial spaces took so long to fill because there was no population in that area when the 501 went in. It predates all of the Concord condos along the waterfront in that area, so the only foot traffic would have been from the north end of Yaletown, and one or tow mid-rises and a condo or two. Only now are there enough residents in that area to serve the businesses there, with more buildings going in, so I think it should do alright in the future.

[jlousa]

Great write-up on the Orpheum, well worth the read.

http://regardingplace.com/?p=1370