Downtown Vancouver Updates

[flight_from_kamakura]

Originally Posted by subdude

The West End looks silly? Really? Please explain.

yep, in terms of design consistency. it works from an urbanism perspective (as yaletown, etc will) but there's far too little variation in design on buildings of significant height. and my point was that the false creek areas and yaletown will have to work hard to avoid this fate, and that, from this perspective, these little departures (colours) are welcome.

Originally Posted by jlousa

Okay just to clarify something, this is a condition for the Pacific Centre rezoning, in order to be rezoned they would need to provide ~367 bike stalls under current regulations so thats why they are focusing on this location. It will serve the citys interest as well as Cadillac Fairviews.
The original plan for a bike parkade was at Granville and Robson where Future Shop is now, it was to be an office tower back in 91 but never happened.
The same thing will happen when it's Oakridges' turn for rezoning, and I'm sure some of the other cities will start doing to same.

thanks for the clarification. personally, i'm still a little dismayed that the c-line stations didn't include massive bike storage space. we'll get some here and there, but man, that's a missed opportunity, and imo, it's nice to see the city taking measures to rectify the situation a bit.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Okay just to clarify something, this is a condition for the Pacific Centre rezoning, in order to be rezoned they would need to provide ~367 bike stalls under current regulations so thats why they are focusing on this location. It will serve the citys interest as well as Cadillac Fairviews.

Thanks - opportunistic rezoning at work.

[phesto]

Looks like work on 3 Harbour Green will start in the next month or so:

Vancouver
NEGOTIATED/WORKING DRAWINGS
Three Harbour Green, 277 Thurlow St & 1101, 1105 & 1109 W Cordova St, V6C 3T1
$34,000,000 est
Start: 2009 Complete: 2011

Note: In working drawings and application for bldg permit has been made. Site work is anticipated to start by Aug/Sept 2008. Further update at that time. How the Sub Trades are being handled is undetermined. Direct enquiries to the Construction Mgr.
Websites: www.harbourgreenplace.com & www.aspac.ca. Budget is unreleased.

Scope: 256,437 square feet; 32 storeys; 4 storeys below grade; 82 units; parking for 223 cars; 41,010 square feet

[leftside]

I noticed another building along West Hastings has gone up for sale. This time it is 33 West Hastings - "The Chelsea Rooms"

[officedweller]

Anyone notice that the City's "News Releases" and "City Advertisements" webspages are chronically out of date? So much for public notices...

This appears on the main webpage, but not on either of the other two webpages:

Granville Loops Open House

View and comment on the proposed plan for the Granville Loops area on Monday, July 14 from 4 – 7 pm at Best Western Downtown Vancouver, 718 Drake Street. The plan includes reconstructing the street system, building residential units and adding public benefits to the area. City staff will be present to answer questions and receive comments.
For more information contact Kyra Lubell 604.871.6863

[Hed Kandi]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Anyone notice that the City's "News Releases" and "City Advertisements" webspages are chronically out of date? So much for public notices...

This appears on the main webpage, but not on either of the other two webpages:

Granville Loops Open House

View and comment on the proposed plan for the Granville Loops area on Monday, July 14 from 4 – 7 pm at Best Western Downtown Vancouver, 718 Drake Street. The plan includes reconstructing the street system, building residential units and adding public benefits to the area. City staff will be present to answer questions and receive comments.
For more information contact Kyra Lubell 604.871.6863

Aren't they planning to remove those loops?

[jlousa]

Yes they will be removed, that's what this is about, the redesign.

[SFUVancouver]

33 West Pender

Taken by SFUVancouver, July 10th, 2008.

The Carrall Street Greenway

Taken by SFUVancouver, July 10th, 2008.

Mariner (or maybe Flagship)

Taken by SFUVancouver, July 10th, 2008.


Taken by SFUVancouver, July 10th, 2008.

Flagship (or maybe Mariner)

Taken by SFUVancouver, July 10th, 2008.

Mariner and Flagship

Taken by SFUVancouver, July 10th, 2008.

Espana

Taken by SFUVancouver, July 10th, 2008.

[Hed Kandi]

God those buildings are a disgrace! What's with the vomit orange accents?

[amac]

Originally Posted by Hed Kandi

God those buildings are a disgrace! What's with the vomit orange accents?

I believe the actual shade is called baby diarrhea, though vomit orange works too.

[Architype]

Originally Posted by Hed Kandi

God those buildings are a disgrace! What's with the vomit orange accents?

People wanted colour, and they got colour.
This shade of orange is not among my favourites either though.

[amac]

These quasi-retro designs... I don't know, they seem too fussy and trendy. All those unnecessary curves and weird angles - and those colours! I think they'll look damn silly in 10-20 years. Simpler designs age better.

[Hot Rod]

Originally Posted by Hed Kandi

God those buildings are a disgrace! What's with the vomit orange accents?

Originally Posted by amac

I believe the actual shade is called baby diarrhea, though vomit orange works too.

lol - really!!!!!

Only in Vancouver would this be fashionable - and an actual market tower! lol

[johnjimbc]

Can't believe I'm actually saying this but I don't think they are that bad. As far as aging, I see a lot of buildings around Vancouver that are about 10 - 15 years old that just look drab. At least the colors aren't flourescent and flashy.

If the material is such that the color and tone remains (and I know that is a big IF), they might look better than one might expect as they age.

And the curves and shapes are fine. It looks pleasant, and it is a functional way for residents to have more interesting views - not the typical one view but some variety, even for a unit on the side of the building.

[bils]

i agree johnjimbc, i think they don't look too bad either.

[dreambrother808]

their shapes are quite appealing to me. i'm iffy about the colours but i've decided to keep an open mind and wait to see the final product.

[raggedy13]

Thanks for the updates SFU. I thought this one in the foreground was called "Cooper's Point":



I actually kind of like the orange on it - it's kind of like a pumpkin orange which I personally don't find abrasive. I'm not so sure about the yellow on the short connecting component though. Oh, and now I've just noticed yellow on the top of the shorter tower - not too sure how I feel about that either. As with most colourful buildings, I'm not sure if this will age well, but for now I like the orange at least and I'll just have to wait and see how I feel about the completed product.

I like the maroon/burgundy sort of colour that is on a couple of the other towers though. I think something like that, which is a bit less abrasive than the red on the Spectrum towers for example, will age a bit better.

[osirisboy]

I'll add in my two cents on this. I like them and I dont mind the color. although I am not sure about the yellow. It reminds me of denshield, a type of exterior drywall.

However, what i really dislike about these buildings along with most of the concord development on false creek is the lack of retail/restaurant space. I never understood why they didnt incorporate restaurants/cafes with patios along the seawall or retail/office along pacific.

[SpongeG]

the colours aren't too bad

considering that its grey and overxcast 9 months of the year they help make those days more bearable

[David]

I love the colours! My only worry about them is that I am not too sure that they are appropriate colours for a waterfront property.