CF Pacific Centre Developments - Page 99

vancouver604 · #**1961** Posted **Mar 7, 2015, 8:34 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hourglass

I wonder if wouldn't have been better to simply remove the curved addition, and update the cladding while keeping the form as is (or as it was).

To be fair, the architect may not have been given too much latitude by the client in the design of the project.

Nordstroms Management Team has been hired and through the months of April/May they will be hiring additional staff, training in Seattle and in the Vancouver store by later in the Summer. Nordstrom's logo should finally be showing up in a few weeks!

connect2source · #**1962** Posted **Mar 27, 2015, 11:23 PM**

Was in Pacific Centre today, the doors to the additional mall extension were wide open, the ceiling and flooring are completely finished, it was fully lit as well. I wonder if they'll open it early, even without any retail, so they can funnel some traffic from Robson and Granville?

Must say it looks quite narrow and the finishes are already somewhat dated IMO, I'm aware they wanted to match the finishes in the existing mall, but even those are now 8 years old and looking tired. Those glass-curtain style ceilings lamps were all the rage in 2005.

officedweller · #**1963** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 8:25 PM**

Pics by me today - all the fencing is gone form Granville, the plaza is paved to the new office entrance (and they even have a path from Georgia, so it must be occupiable soon).

Overall, it looks pretty good.

They deleted the doors directly from Granville at the Rotunda.
And I doubt they would have a vestibule (that's for more wintery climates).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Built Form

Here are some pix of the model and floor plans.

All pix by Built Form

Staggered panels inside the office entrance look a bit mismatched.
The handrails would have looked better in stainless steel.

Klazu · #**1964** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 8:40 PM**

All four sides of this building are going to be so dead since there is no street-facing store fronts. I think the problem will be worst along Granville Street, which is a long empty stretch.

s211 · #**1965** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 10:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klazu

All four sides of this building are going to be so dead since there is no street-facing store fronts. I think the problem will be worst along Granville Street, which is a long empty stretch.

Granville is actually better because it at least has some windows into the interior of the store, whereas Howe has almost none.

officedweller · #**1966** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 10:30 PM**

Agreed. On Howe, they deleted two entrances to the store and there are no windows.
They will, however, re-opened the breezeway entrance as an entrance to the office above.

connect2source · #**1967** Posted **Mar 31, 2015, 1:53 AM**

I don't know how the hell they got blank wall on Howe approved, it was 1000% better before with the mid-block entry and the display window in the Sears/EATON'S days. It's horrible now and highly visible from the VAG plaza. Huge oversight!!

vancouver604 · #**1968** Posted **Apr 1, 2015, 8:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by connect2source

I don't know how the hell they got blank wall on Howe approved, it was 1000% better before with the mid-block entry and the display window in the Sears/EATON'S days. It's horrible now and highly visible from the VAG plaza. Huge oversight!!

There's a new tenant announced for the granville street side. It's a Cannabis Cafe.

trofirhen · #**1969** Posted **Apr 1, 2015, 2:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by vancouver604

there's a new tenant announced for the granville street side. It's a cannabis cafe.

are you serious ?!?!

Klazu · #**1970** Posted **Apr 1, 2015, 2:41 PM**

April fools

vancouver604 · #**1971** Posted **Apr 1, 2015, 7:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klazu

April fools

Pinion · #**1972** Posted **Apr 1, 2015, 7:45 PM**

Yeah no point in opening a cafe when you can get all the weed you want on the art gallery steps.

trofirhen · #**1973** Posted **Apr 1, 2015, 10:29 PM**

Digressing a little, does that mirrored part of the Howe St side of PC help things along any?
Does it give the feeling of more space; a reflection of the immediate buildings, the sky, and so forth?
Or is the building, and the view from The VAG and RSq just as meh as ever?

mcminsen · #**1974** Posted **Apr 2, 2015, 4:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Digressing a little, does that mirrored part of the Howe St side of PC help things along any?
Does it give the feeling of more space; a reflection of the immediate buildings, the sky, and so forth?
Or is the building, and the view from The VAG and RSq just as meh as ever?

Here's a look at the ground level along the Howe Street side. LOTS of reflecting sun, very bright. It's looking clean and tidy but a bit sterile.

April 1 '15, all my pics

officedweller · #**1975** Posted **Apr 2, 2015, 8:04 AM**

Absolutely brutal at grade on Howe St.

Hourglass · #**1976** Posted **Apr 2, 2015, 1:15 PM**

Interesting solution in London's Oxford Street for a building of similar mass (but maybe smaller). Instead of trying to break-up the massing, they put in place an aluminum 'veil' that shimmers in the breeze. I walked by this when I was last there, and the effect was very cool. Don't have a picture but a video link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp9OHq3LdCk

connect2source · #**1977** Posted **Apr 2, 2015, 1:35 PM**

Fantastic pic mcminsen!!! Agree with OD, absolutely cannot believe the at-grade Howe St. side, bizarre and inexcusable, looks almost 'boarded up'. I've seen better at-grade treatments in alleyways!

WarrenC12 · #**1978** Posted **Apr 2, 2015, 2:12 PM**

Funny, now this building now reminds me of the soon-to-be-demolished downtown Canada Post office.

Tetsuo · #**1979** Posted **Apr 2, 2015, 2:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Funny, now this building now reminds me of the soon-to-be-demolished downtown Canada Post office.

Transfer the facade of the CP building and place it here alongside Howe

Graham_Yvr · #**1980** Posted **Apr 2, 2015, 3:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Digressing a little, does that mirrored part of the Howe St side of PC help things along any?
Does it give the feeling of more space; a reflection of the immediate buildings, the sky, and so forth?
Or is the building, and the view from The VAG and RSq just as meh as ever?

I tend to take a differing view from the detractors of the Howe Street Side. From the Art Gallery, Robson/Hornby, and Robson Square the new facade is fantastic. It reflects back the city, opens up the space and is bright and clean.

The alcove is substantially better than before, with the light toned stone replacing the dark tunnel like brown that was there before.

From some of the comments, I think people are basing their comments solely on images and not the real life in-person building, which I walk past daily.

The transformation - while perhaps not everyone's wish come true - is a triumph over the dreck that was there before. Of course that's just my opinion.