Masonic Centre Tower | 1495 W.8th Ave. | 18 Floors | Completed

[simons]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

housing it may be but affordable it is not. check out the prices listed on their site. lunacy.

While they do seem high, an early-to-mid twenties downtown employee could afford a studio suite, and a couple in the same age group and working location could more-or-less easily afford the one bedroom. Given its proximity to downtown, retail, etc. I can see it being popular.

The only thing I'm not too sure about is the lack of laundry-dryer combos in the studio suites. Doesn't look like there are common laundry facilities too, which would be an odd omission.

[officedweller]

That would be a stupid oversight.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by officedweller

From Shape Architecture twitter today:


The VMC + Housing project had a successful Occupancy Review w/ the @CityofVancouver
last week, meaning 150 units are coming to #Vancouver!
We are excited for project completion and are proud to contribute to providing #affordablehousing to the city.
https://twitter.com/shapearch_

To be honest, I find it less cohesive and attractive than the 20 year old condo tower in the shot.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by whatnext

To be honest, I find it less cohesive and attractive than the 20 year old condo tower in the shot.

They'll stick a nice mural on the elevator core

[goodcitywhenfinished]

Nah, this is honestly one of the better designed towers on this side of town. It's not trying to pull off some kitschy "west coast" style.

Rather, it's massing and overall design feels very refreshing in a city of seafoam green.

[officedweller]

Offset strips/stripes is the current trend (no more protruding boxes!) - it's on the Dogwood Pearson lands towers, as well as others proposed around (one near Edmonds, maybe others in Surrey?)

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Offset strips/stripes is the current trend (no more protruding boxes!) - it's on the Dogwood Pearson lands towers, as well as others proposed around (one near Edmonds, maybe others in Surrey?)

Fraser commons on marine drive and Fraser

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Offset strips/stripes is the current trend (no more protruding boxes!) - it's on the Dogwood Pearson lands towers, as well as others proposed around (one near Edmonds, maybe others in Surrey?)

Yeah it’s sad how architects just jump on the bandwagon of the day.

[GMasterAres]

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

I would assume that's to cover the costs of the high percentage of non-market housing that was included.



pg 13
https://council.vancouver.ca/20161213/documents/p7.pdf

Likely:

a. 30 per cent (45 units) shall be rented at rates that are affordable to households with an income of no more than the BC Housing Income Limits.

b. 20 per cent (30 units) shall be rented at rates that are affordable to households with an income of no more than the median income for families without children using data provided by Statistics Canada.

The remaining 50 per cent (74 units) will rent at market rates. Not only does this help to establish this building as a socially and economically diverse community, but the broad range of units will ensure financial viability of the project without the need for ongoing government subsidy

I don't see anywhere in the document where they say what units equal the minimum social housing. They just use percentages, so they could very well be only allocating studios and 1 bedrooms for social housing unless someone sees it posted elsewhere I missed. If this is the case then it leaves the more expensive units (remaining 1 bedrooms, 2, and 3 bedroom) to be market value which will more than make up for the social housing units given the ridiculous rental rates downtown. Hopefully the 75 total units are balanced a bit across all the size types.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by jhausner

Likely:



I don't see anywhere in the document where they say what units equal the minimum social housing. They just use percentages, so they could very well be only allocating studios and 1 bedrooms for social housing unless someone sees it posted elsewhere I missed. If this is the case then it leaves the more expensive units (remaining 1 bedrooms, 2, and 3 bedroom) to be market value which will more than make up for the social housing units given the ridiculous rental rates downtown. Hopefully the 75 total units are balanced a bit across all the size types.

There were some parking restrictions based on the number of social housing and the room sizes.

A minimum one parking space is provided for every six dwelling
units of non-market affordable rental units that have fewer than
2 bedrooms.
(ii) A minimum one parking space is provided for every two dwelling
units of non-market affordable rental units that have 2 or more
bedrooms.

There's around 23 units until level 5 with mostly studios and one rooms.

The upper levels have around 10 units a floor. So you assume they would stick them all in the lower floors and market above that?