[G-Man]

I found another set not listed in that article, I think in the 1000 block of Mason Street. I will have to check...

[Mike K.]

Those prisms are stunning when lit up at night. Can't wait to see them around the Hudson and other developments around town.

[Jarrod]

I actually thought that they were recent additions to the sidewalks as some of them look brand new. I had never realized what they were there for, but always wanted them to be fully lighted at night which I thought they were meant to do as a decoration to the sidewalks. Now that I know, it just opens my eyes to what they were used for.

On another note, how far has the Juliet come since the last time that I was in Victoria?

[G-Man]

Last time I walked by they had finished half of the first layer of parking garage.

[Baro]

I always wondered why these under-sidewalk basements fell out of favour. They seem like a great use of space, let some natural light in, and the ones with the little elevators or ramps provided great easy access for freight loading into shops and such.

[zoomer]

On another note, how far has the Juliet come since the last time that I was in Victoria?

From June 2:

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/3747/juliet1ne4.jpg

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/8931/img3096cg8.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/5504/img3098jpggf7.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/1938/img31001lh8.jpg

[trueviking]

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=6520000384943095121&hl=en-CA

television ad for aquattro....interesting marketing technique.

[Jarrod]

Hey, thanks Zoomer!

It is def going to be weird seeing Victoria once all these that are being built in the city complete.

[The Great Scaper]

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=6520000384943095121&hl=en-CA

television ad for aquattro....interesting marketing technique.


Hahahhaa.... That's such an aweful ad. Unreal. :haha:

[zoomer]

A bit cheesy, but still fun! You know aquattro will appeal to those who don't want to spend $400,000 for a 750 square foot condo downtown. I love the idea of large condos, unfortunately downtown that's called the penthouse at a million plus.

How are the sales going on this TV? Any more info or updates on other Victoria projects?

[Jarrod]

Okay, perhaps it's all the cigerettes that I smoke and all the booze I drink, but what the fuck is that ad about?

And what the hells is Aquitro or whatever it is?

[Mike K.]

Aquattro is the big development going up in Colwood. More at www.aquattroliving.com (http://www.aquattroliving.com) . I think that particular ad is about genitalia.

[Jarrod]

Thanks Mike!

Yeah, I think that ad... well... shouldn't have been an ad to sell property...

[The Great Scaper]

That ad is halarious but Agreed Jarrod, not a good selling ad. :haha:

Zoomer, Sorry I haven't posted those photos yet I have been so busy, I am still wrapping up my Mom's project. It's been exhausting to say the least....anyways, tomorrow I will make that post and thanks again for the kind gesture. So did you sneak back down to Timmy's the next day and get those jelly beans? ahahahahahahahaaa

Anyways, The only news I have heard of late is that Crystal View (Court Motel Site) is being delayed a month before an official application is submitted. Also I as told that Councilor's were upset with the Art Gallery coming before them with funding requests etc for the project before Westbank. They somehow jumped the gun and some councilors where a little dissappointed that they had no information regarding the proposal in any shape from Westbank yet the Art Gallery had everything in place with and for the project to request city funding.

However this could be a rumor too.

Also it seems that Sonya Chandler will be maternaty leave during the Crystal View's City development process and will most likely not be able to vote on the project at public hearing. Which given the History voting .....is a good thing :D

Anyone going to those city community meeting sessions? I know Lover Fighter and a few others are, I haven't made up my mind yet...hmmmmm still thinking on this one!!! :)


Anyways, gotta go it's after two in the morning and gotta get up really really early tomorrow :(

Cheers

[aastra]

I thought that ad was funny.

[The Great Scaper]

Yeah well you're funny lookin'!!! :cool:

Just joking....still have to post those photos, I haven't even finished uploading them yet...half way there...hehehe....one of tonights projects!!! :D

[SFUVancouver]

I found strech of streetfront in Chinatown that has new glass prisms, though they aren't purple.

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/7651/chinatownnewglassprisimhd4.jpg

Also, an interesting newspaper story about the glass prisms was in the window so I snapped a shot of that too.

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/3931/glassprismgastownstorycq9.jpg

[gumgum]

Interesting, SFU.
Original glass prism were originally clear like the ones above, but turned purple over time due to some sort of long term reaction with the light.

[G-Man]

Wow that is a sad story! Still it is cool that they put those new ones in. I wonder why more projects don't offer those.

[The Great Scaper]

I know this is going to offend some people but I really don't like those prisms. Sorry I haven't posted my photos yet, I decided I wanted to take a few more photos before I put together my thread.

Cheers all,
Hope you're all enjoying the good weather!!! :)

[aastra]

I haven't felt this offended since the night twenty years ago when some guy picked a fight with me in a movie theatre.

I kicked his tail.

[Holden West]

What?!

Things that are impossible to not like:

http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Humor/Cats/Kitten-Ducks.jpg
http://www.rabbit.org/graphics/fun/netbunnies/Bunny-Davis1.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/208/465758253_2d8f4404a8.jpg

Hey, didja hear the news?

Mayor wants new library, walk of fame

Lowe sets himself 18-month goal to redevelop Centennial Square


Carolyn Heiman, Times Colonist

Published: Friday, June 15, 2007
A new City Hall and downtown library, along with a spiffed up Centennial Square and a walk of fame on Douglas Street, topped a "to do" list rhymed off by Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe Thursday night in an address marking the halfway point of his term.
"The city is lacking a functional civic square for people to gather," Lowe said of Centennial Square, adding he'd like to move the fountain at the square's centre, or change its design, to allow the area to be used as a festival site.
He said he'd also like to move the downtown library into the area around the square, noting that the province is interested in taking over its existing Broughton Street building.

(javascript:void window.open('/components/email.aspx?id=0aef9e22-6338-4a88-8740-04a04ced8750&referrer=http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=0aef9e22-6338-4a88-8740-04a04ced8750&k=19722', '', 'width=450,height=410,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,scrollbars=yes,resizable=no'))
If that happens, Lowe would like to tear down the parkade adjacent to Centennial Square and replace it with a new building to house the library, as well as offices for City Hall staff, and underground parking.
The present City Hall, a national heritage building, is cramped and not suitable for an organization aiming to be one of the top 100 places to work, Lowe said. It could be used as an archives or a museum facility.
Lowe set himself an 18-month goal - the remainder of his third term - to create plans to redevelop Centennial Square done.

:tup:

[The Great Scaper]

Aastra....

That's halarious.....I think it's time for a rematch!!! Golden Gloves at the Golden Globes all out cage match. Time to pay back my respects from the last fight we had at the Theatre...you know...the one that I wasn't at!!! :haha:

p.s. I talked to Zoomer tonight we are getting a few more photos before I make that post, it's going to be a pretty cool post/thread actually!!! :D


Holden.....

That is awesome! I hope he does a better job of it than the Arena!!! hahahahaa.... We don't need another underacheived facility. If we build a new Library it should last us twenty years. Not be too small in five.

I also wonder how the JBNEA will feel, the put up a huge fuss last time the Library was to be moved to the Bay building, as it was too far from Jamesbay. I don't think they can say much now since they have been saying that the Art Gallery shouldn't be in Jamesbay but rather in Rockbay! :rolleyes:

All in all though this is good news, I hate that parkade too!!! Good on you Alan!!! Just build it right!!! :tup: :tup: :tup:


Also to add on things you have to love.... ( I knew I would strike a cord on not liking the purple squares hahaha) sorry :)

I took these photos off Lagoon Rd in Colwood, man those birds are big...they thought I had food and walked right out of the water and came right up to me!!! Worried me for a minute...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1287/551270560_d95f49f649.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1369/551260558_233af5a9e4.jpg?v=0

[Lyle]

I know this is going to offend some people but I really don't like those prisms.

I know who's getting voted off the island! :rolleyes:

[SpongeG]

i have to admit i have no idea where this is

Selkirk Waterfront winning fans
People now pleased to live and work in area redeveloped after sawmill shut down

Neither Robin Hoesly nor Joan Tinney was thrilled about leaving her downtown office to work in another plunked in a former sawmill site, far away from the Bay Centre and other shopping magnets.

But tunes change. On a recent sunny lunch hour, the two sat on a bench talking about how they have happily replaced a noon shopping habit with walks along a waterfront boardwalk on nice days, and gym workouts when it rains.

They work in a Selkirk Waterfront enclave with a school, coffee shops, about 600 residents living in swish condos and townhouses alongside social housing, a gym, rowing club, a pub, and professional office spaces with light-industrial bookending. Soon, a seniors assisted-living complex will join the mix. There's space for retail shops, should the urge to spend return.

"I was a lunchtime shopper," says Hoesly, admitting she misses it a bit, but not the panhandlers.

About 2,000 people go to the Selkirk area daily, some working, some living there. They go to school, play in rowing sculls and kayaks, or walk, or cycle the Galloping Goose trail that passes in front of the development. And some are looky-loos, arriving via the Inner Harbour Ferry.

Gordon Price, a Vancouver-based commentator on urban development, stumbled upon Selkirk recently.

"It was a bit of surprise, said Price, drawn to the area in connection with a rowing competition.

"I thought it was very good. The relationship to the water and putting in the boat house there and the trestle is terrific. The quality of architecture is really good and the workmanship is very, very good.

"I've seen a lot of those industrial park developments to know that it is way beyond the norm," adds Price, who teaches at Simon Fraser University.

The development -- accessed off Gorge Road from Jutland, Garbally or Dunedin streets -- can still evoke a "Where's that?" response. Increasingly, it is coming into its own as a recognizable community that arose from an industrial brownfield.

Redeveloping industrial sites has huge benefits for communities, said Tammy Lomas-Jylha, executive director of the Canadian Brownfield Network. "They are an exciting way to reinvigorate and revitalize a community. If one developer steps up ... it potentially creates that domino effect in the area."

Hoesly was among the first wave of Ministry of Environment workers who moved in the early 1990s.

There's considerably more traffic in the area since then, and that stands out as the singular concern of people living and working in the area.

Hoesly works in the first of several building blocks that have turned an abandoned Fletcher Challenge operation into a jewel along the Inner Harbour and an example of award-winning urban planning.

The Selkirk Waterfront development is viewed now as a nearly self-contained community living up to its billing: And to think it was originally eyed for a big-box store development.

Heritage conservation champion Stuart Stark relocated his store, Charles Rupert, from Oak Bay Avenue almost a year ago.

"I have more profit and less stress. It's like being on a holiday working down here," said Stark, adding "on Oak Bay Avenue retailers get a lot of entertainment shoppers; the husband and wife coming in with their Starbucks and saying 'You have really nice things' but never buying." Now, customers of his interior-design showroom come with a purpose.


Stark even considers living in the community, although he and his wife have spent years restoring an Oak Bay heritage home.

Selkirk resident Anne Russo did make the jump, downsizing from a five-bedroom home to a low-rise condo. "I liked the idea of increased density.

"We looked at lots of nice places. But I trust the developer. He has a sense of community ... It isn't complete yet, but it recognizes that there is more to a community than a building dropped in."

Nearby resident Rod Fowler spoke at a Victoria council meeting of how the development has returned life and possibilities to the wider area.

Money Mart put its head office here. When the Gorge Rowing and Paddling Centre settled into a boat house, it signalled the waterfront was accessible to the public. One of the Selkirk's architects has bought into the place -- always a good sign.

"It's been interesting being there," said Frank D'Ambrosio, whose spacious, ground-floor office includes an artist's studio.

Recently, representatives of Jawl Holdings Ltd. were at Victoria council for approval for the last development permit on the 24-acre site, which was an industrial site for 80 years. Speaker after speaker enthused about the community that has risen from the sawdust.

The council meeting was a historical footnote because it was the conclusion -- for the city at least -- of a process that started in 1990. When the unanimous vote was taken, council gave the applicant -- represented by Mohan Jawl and D'Ambrosio -- unpredecented applause for bringing the last piece of the Selkirk puzzle to the table.

The project has taken longer than the 10 years originally imagined. Along the way, the Jawls sold four parcels, one as a defensive move because of unfounded fears a surplus of office space was looming. Two residential parcels were sold because of the company's building capacity at the time. The fourth, an assisted-seniors complex, has been turned over to a developer with that expertise.

Fully built out, the area will have 300,000 square feet of office, 350 housing units, 100,000 square feet of retail and four acres of light industrial.

If the community works better than some, it is "because it was under one ownership," said city planner Brian Sikstrom. Even parcels sold off came with design strings attached.

"It was a planned community with some pretty forward-looking policies and innovative design features," said Sikstrom.

While council celebrates, Jawl, whose connection with the property began when he was 15 and worked for Fletcher Challenge, is more circumspect, unwilling to pronounce the project a success until the last three buildings are complete.

"Only once those units are built and occupied will it be known that the mix of uses will work in the way we hoped. ... It will be two or three years. That's when it will be time to celebrate."


The development of the site after Fletcher Challenge closed its sawmill and plywood plant could have been vastly different. After the facility was dismantled in 1989, the first business to grab an option to buy was Price Club, which envisioned the area with a big-box store surrounded by asphalt parking.

"I told [Price Club] it was a bad idea. It was such a special site that the big box would be entirely inappropriate. They were from out of town and didn't understand Victoria that well," said retired city planner Len Vopnfjord.

The rejection didn't sit well in some circles. The B.C. construction industry lambasted the city for being difficult to do business with. In today's context, and considering the mixed community that evolved, it seems easy to dismiss the criticism. But at the time it was a powerful statement lobbed when the economy was barely at a simmer.

The area still carries vestiges of its industrial past. Next door to the Selkirk Development, Budget Steel still noisily crushes cars every weekday. On one lunch hour an office worker sat reading on a bench, in front of the industrial vista, seemingly oblivious to it all.

"I have mixed feelings about Budget," said Jawl. "They were there when we made our proposal, and we didn't proceed on the assumption they would leave."

Instead, the Jawls put light industrial adjacent to the operation, buffering the residential, office and recreational areas.

Jawl notes that when he watches customers at the Glo Europub and Restaurant, not all shun the car-crushing side of the street. "Some are attracted to the views of the water, but a significant number are attracted to what's going on at Budget Steel."

Forty years from now, Budget likely won't be there, predicted Sikstrom, a city planner.

Time, of course, will tell. There was also a time when no one would have predicted the site would have been anything but a sawmill.

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/133a26b3-7939-4ba4-b93e-0c570ecf1751/selkirk.jpg
Joan Tinney, left, and Robin Hoesly work at Selkirk Waterfront. They weren't thrilled about being moved from downtown, but have come to enjoy their new location on the former site of a sawmill.
Photograph by : Debra Brash, Times Colonist



http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=b714b89a-d477-45f2-964c-ac550fd5fa80&k=69065

[SpongeG]

i have to admit i have no idea where this is

Selkirk Waterfront winning fans
People now pleased to live and work in area redeveloped after sawmill shut down

Neither Robin Hoesly nor Joan Tinney was thrilled about leaving her downtown office to work in another plunked in a former sawmill site, far away from the Bay Centre and other shopping magnets.

But tunes change. On a recent sunny lunch hour, the two sat on a bench talking about how they have happily replaced a noon shopping habit with walks along a waterfront boardwalk on nice days, and gym workouts when it rains.

They work in a Selkirk Waterfront enclave with a school, coffee shops, about 600 residents living in swish condos and townhouses alongside social housing, a gym, rowing club, a pub, and professional office spaces with light-industrial bookending. Soon, a seniors assisted-living complex will join the mix. There's space for retail shops, should the urge to spend return.

"I was a lunchtime shopper," says Hoesly, admitting she misses it a bit, but not the panhandlers.

About 2,000 people go to the Selkirk area daily, some working, some living there. They go to school, play in rowing sculls and kayaks, or walk, or cycle the Galloping Goose trail that passes in front of the development. And some are looky-loos, arriving via the Inner Harbour Ferry.

Gordon Price, a Vancouver-based commentator on urban development, stumbled upon Selkirk recently.

"It was a bit of surprise, said Price, drawn to the area in connection with a rowing competition.

"I thought it was very good. The relationship to the water and putting in the boat house there and the trestle is terrific. The quality of architecture is really good and the workmanship is very, very good.

"I've seen a lot of those industrial park developments to know that it is way beyond the norm," adds Price, who teaches at Simon Fraser University.

The development -- accessed off Gorge Road from Jutland, Garbally or Dunedin streets -- can still evoke a "Where's that?" response. Increasingly, it is coming into its own as a recognizable community that arose from an industrial brownfield.

Redeveloping industrial sites has huge benefits for communities, said Tammy Lomas-Jylha, executive director of the Canadian Brownfield Network. "They are an exciting way to reinvigorate and revitalize a community. If one developer steps up ... it potentially creates that domino effect in the area."

Hoesly was among the first wave of Ministry of Environment workers who moved in the early 1990s.

There's considerably more traffic in the area since then, and that stands out as the singular concern of people living and working in the area.

Hoesly works in the first of several building blocks that have turned an abandoned Fletcher Challenge operation into a jewel along the Inner Harbour and an example of award-winning urban planning.

The Selkirk Waterfront development is viewed now as a nearly self-contained community living up to its billing: And to think it was originally eyed for a big-box store development.

Heritage conservation champion Stuart Stark relocated his store, Charles Rupert, from Oak Bay Avenue almost a year ago.

"I have more profit and less stress. It's like being on a holiday working down here," said Stark, adding "on Oak Bay Avenue retailers get a lot of entertainment shoppers; the husband and wife coming in with their Starbucks and saying 'You have really nice things' but never buying." Now, customers of his interior-design showroom come with a purpose.


Stark even considers living in the community, although he and his wife have spent years restoring an Oak Bay heritage home.

Selkirk resident Anne Russo did make the jump, downsizing from a five-bedroom home to a low-rise condo. "I liked the idea of increased density.

"We looked at lots of nice places. But I trust the developer. He has a sense of community ... It isn't complete yet, but it recognizes that there is more to a community than a building dropped in."

Nearby resident Rod Fowler spoke at a Victoria council meeting of how the development has returned life and possibilities to the wider area.

Money Mart put its head office here. When the Gorge Rowing and Paddling Centre settled into a boat house, it signalled the waterfront was accessible to the public. One of the Selkirk's architects has bought into the place -- always a good sign.

"It's been interesting being there," said Frank D'Ambrosio, whose spacious, ground-floor office includes an artist's studio.

Recently, representatives of Jawl Holdings Ltd. were at Victoria council for approval for the last development permit on the 24-acre site, which was an industrial site for 80 years. Speaker after speaker enthused about the community that has risen from the sawdust.

The council meeting was a historical footnote because it was the conclusion -- for the city at least -- of a process that started in 1990. When the unanimous vote was taken, council gave the applicant -- represented by Mohan Jawl and D'Ambrosio -- unpredecented applause for bringing the last piece of the Selkirk puzzle to the table.

The project has taken longer than the 10 years originally imagined. Along the way, the Jawls sold four parcels, one as a defensive move because of unfounded fears a surplus of office space was looming. Two residential parcels were sold because of the company's building capacity at the time. The fourth, an assisted-seniors complex, has been turned over to a developer with that expertise.

Fully built out, the area will have 300,000 square feet of office, 350 housing units, 100,000 square feet of retail and four acres of light industrial.

If the community works better than some, it is "because it was under one ownership," said city planner Brian Sikstrom. Even parcels sold off came with design strings attached.

"It was a planned community with some pretty forward-looking policies and innovative design features," said Sikstrom.

While council celebrates, Jawl, whose connection with the property began when he was 15 and worked for Fletcher Challenge, is more circumspect, unwilling to pronounce the project a success until the last three buildings are complete.

"Only once those units are built and occupied will it be known that the mix of uses will work in the way we hoped. ... It will be two or three years. That's when it will be time to celebrate."


The development of the site after Fletcher Challenge closed its sawmill and plywood plant could have been vastly different. After the facility was dismantled in 1989, the first business to grab an option to buy was Price Club, which envisioned the area with a big-box store surrounded by asphalt parking.

"I told [Price Club] it was a bad idea. It was such a special site that the big box would be entirely inappropriate. They were from out of town and didn't understand Victoria that well," said retired city planner Len Vopnfjord.

The rejection didn't sit well in some circles. The B.C. construction industry lambasted the city for being difficult to do business with. In today's context, and considering the mixed community that evolved, it seems easy to dismiss the criticism. But at the time it was a powerful statement lobbed when the economy was barely at a simmer.

The area still carries vestiges of its industrial past. Next door to the Selkirk Development, Budget Steel still noisily crushes cars every weekday. On one lunch hour an office worker sat reading on a bench, in front of the industrial vista, seemingly oblivious to it all.

"I have mixed feelings about Budget," said Jawl. "They were there when we made our proposal, and we didn't proceed on the assumption they would leave."

Instead, the Jawls put light industrial adjacent to the operation, buffering the residential, office and recreational areas.

Jawl notes that when he watches customers at the Glo Europub and Restaurant, not all shun the car-crushing side of the street. "Some are attracted to the views of the water, but a significant number are attracted to what's going on at Budget Steel."

Forty years from now, Budget likely won't be there, predicted Sikstrom, a city planner.

Time, of course, will tell. There was also a time when no one would have predicted the site would have been anything but a sawmill.

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/133a26b3-7939-4ba4-b93e-0c570ecf1751/selkirk.jpg
Joan Tinney, left, and Robin Hoesly work at Selkirk Waterfront. They weren't thrilled about being moved from downtown, but have come to enjoy their new location on the former site of a sawmill.
Photograph by : Debra Brash, Times Colonist



http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=b714b89a-d477-45f2-964c-ac550fd5fa80&k=69065

[m0nkyman]

Here (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=songhees,+victoria,+bc&sll=48.440334,-123.377345&sspn=0.010947,0.028517&ie=UTF8&ll=48.440668,-123.377184&spn=0.005473,0.014259&t=h&z=17&om=1).

[The Great Scaper]

That was easy!!!......ahahahaa

If anyone want to see the job I am wrapping up with landscaping at my mom's now that I have done all of her drainage and sewer, you can see some of the photos on here!!!

She had over 60,000 dollars worth of damage to here house via two floods in the winter....we had to rip out her concrete patio all around her house to about six feet etc. I was working on her house for two months straight last month without a day off...slowly coming back together!!! Been a lot of work...anyways the photos are of the last two days!!!

http://flickr.com/photos/55063726@N00/

[aastra]

It's just north of the Bay Street Bridge (on the Gorge, opposite the old railyards site):

http://members.shaw.ca/vibrantvictoria4/city_photos/city_photos_selkirkwaterfront_fr_vicwest_01_2005.jpg

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/5181/selkirkyp9.jpg

[Mike K.]

I've been meaning to take a photo of that same view but at night. Selkirk takes on another life when the sun goes down with its contrasts in lighting between commercial and residential spaces.

[The Great Scaper]

I have a cool photo of the new crane their too. Thanks for the photo Aastra I haven't really looked at it from that angle. Kinda cool actually.

[Holden West]

I've been meaning to take a photo of that same view but at night. Selkirk takes on another life when the sun goes down with its contrasts in lighting between commercial and residential spaces.

A recent issue of Boulevard had a good Selkirk evening shot. Also, yesterday's T/C print edition ran an old shot of Selkirk when it was industrial.

I'd love to zip ahead 50 years in a time machine to see how it ages.

[Mike K.]

Selkirk by night is just amazing, ain't it?

That old school photo you're referring to just happens to have captured much of my neighbourhood including our lot and all of our immediate neighbours. Most of the houses in our area are character homes so its a trip seeing them then and living among them now.

[Holden West]

^And I'm sure if there are any old-timers left they don't miss the days when the wind blew south.

[Jarrod]

It's going to be weird to see some stuff in Victoria when I get down there tomorrow afternoon... Very interesting indeed...

[Mike K.]

Things are changing, but don't get your hopes up TOO, too much.

Vic West is definitely being reshaped along the shoreline, though.

[Jarrod]

Well, yeah... I've only been gone for like 7 months...

[The Great Scaper]

Hey if anyone wants to come out Wednesday evening... there is at least three or four of us going out tomorrow night for some photo taking...got access to some roof tops!!! :D Tentitively...possibly thursday night but most likely tomorrow.

Have a great day everyone!

p.s. I'll post a meeting place and time when we decide where we are going to meet.

[The Great Scaper]

Hey Guys:

We had a great time. Got on top of some roofs and the coolest part was getting access to the fire department's tower for taking some photos.

It's really late but I promised the guys that I would post some photos, as I have been rather tardy with the other ones so here's a sneak of some of the photos I took last night. We were out to after midnight so I'm getting pretty tired and have lots of work to do...so here it goes!!!

Looking from top of Cook St. ( Downtown)
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas010.jpg

same looking toward Vic West
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas012.jpg

Y lot
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas014.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas017.jpg

From fire hall's tower
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas023.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas024.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas037.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas041.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas043.jpg

From Moss Rocks
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas063.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas049.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas065.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas070.jpg

Dockside Green's office downtown...going for late night food!
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas072.jpg

Old town photos of cool buildings....
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas075.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas077.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas079.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas081.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas091.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas092.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas094.jpg

So that's it for now, sorry for the short discriptions, Zoomer wanted me to post some as soon as possible so I picked and choose between about a hundred photos I took...hehehe.

Night everyone!!!

[Lyle]

Thanks Scaper -- those shots sure make an ex-Victorian feel homesick. Nice job.

[TwoFace]

What's the story on this landmark, I heard a while ago that it may be converted into condos?, any truth to that, and if so what is the status?.

[Dylan Leblanc]

Hey Scaper good to see the pics! Jeez you posted those at 2:20 am!!

[aastra]

What's the story on this landmark, I heard a while ago that it may be converted into condos?, any truth to that, and if so what is the status?.

They're converting the building into lofts right now (converson includes cutting a big hole in the roof) and the future phases involve demolishing the parkade and replacing it with residential towers.

Here's the website:
http://www.hudsonliving.ca/

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j142/Theoldvictorian/Hudson_Bay.jpg

[aastra]

This is a great angle:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/Photosofdowntownfromnewvistas014.jpg

Bring a stepladder with you next time.

[aastra]

This angle will also look great when the Juliet and company are finished:

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/5061/victoriagx8.jpg

[The Great Scaper]

^ that will look really cool!!! It's funny when you put those bars in there how it gives you a really picture of how it will look.

We had a lot of fun last night. We set off an alarm at the post office some how not even sure how we did it. :)

And it was really cool how the Captain of the fire department let us up the hose tower. It was his last night on shift as he is retiring. Really nice of those guys to let us up. :tup:


Dylan, I was up late last night...I knew if I didn't post them right away I wouldn't probably get to them till the weekend. :D Good photo of you too.

[The Great Scaper]

Dylan....

Also can you email me that spread too? beaumont_robert@hotmail.com

[m0nkyman]

Never mind....

[The Great Scaper]

I played with this a couple of weeks ago. It maybe a little off but it should be pretty close.

http://img485.imageshack.us/img485/3088/victoriaskylineshotzp5.jpg

[aastra]

From that perspective the Falls should be on the right of the Chateau Victoria.

So why do you have three proposed buildings on the Pandora lot? Are you holding back on us?

[Lyle]

Hey Scaper - can you do the same thing with all the proposed high-rises in Colwood and Langford? Would that suburban skyline be visible from Victoria?

[The Great Scaper]

Lyle,

I am going to post a thread on the Canada section in the next few days on all the regional and downtown developments. It's just taking some time putting it all together!!!

But It will be a really cool post, it may even be about a week.

Cheers

Aastra,

From my understanding there is to be three towers of rather equal height unfortunately all around the height limit. I will be having lunch with Lindsay Chase on Saturday as well, so I will see if there is any new ideas being thrown around for this site.

Cheers

[Holden West]

For the big parking lot behind RBC between Pandora and Cormorant? That's only two towers. The plans are already public.

[The Great Scaper]

I have seen those plans, however I was told that there may also be a third tower as well...and I knew that originally there was three towers too...but really two or three... I made this pan shot about four weeks ago.

Glad you appreciated it :D

:haha:

Cheers!

[Holden West]

Any three tower plan is old speculation.

[The Great Scaper]

Gotchya.... I was still hoping for something a little more aggressive on this lot, since they went with something so extreme with the Hudson. Maybe they felt with no reason such as saving a heritage building or giving an Art Gallery they couldn't achieve much more being beside city hall. I would have still like to have seen a little more height mind you.

Here is that pan shot of Victoria I took about a year ago, thanks for Dylan for saving it as it got deleted from my computer some how.

Thanks to Holden for cleaning it up a bit!!! :D

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/2807/bobspanorama2zn9.jpg

This was the unzoomed shot...

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3835/bearmountianviews010et9.jpg

[aastra]

http://www.therealvictoria.ca/images/victoria_pano1.jpg

http://www.therealvictoria.ca/images/victoria_pano2.jpg

[aastra]

Scaper, did you see this one by lightgazer over at Flickr.com?

Many more great pics:
http://www.flickr.mud.yahoo.com/photos/darrenstone/page26/

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/362687179_98eb17290d.jpg

[The Great Scaper]

Aastra, I have seen a lot of his stuff before how ever I haven't seen that one nor some of the others I just browsed through of his. I wonder how he does that? It's really cool actually!!!

Thanks for sharing! :D

Also nice touch up on the spread too!!! :D

[The Great Scaper]

For any of you that haven't seen my buddy.... This is Jasper!!!

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/795/jasper0072ml1.jpg

[Dylan Leblanc]

That's such an incredible photo. I can even see the balcony window of my apartment.

[The Great Scaper]

Dylan that photo was actually taken from the foundation of that guys house!!! I will have to find another place to take that photo...

I'll have to up there again on a clear day...loose the fog and smog!!! :D

It is an amazing vista....

[zoomer]

/\/\ Nice dog, and he has your eyes!

speaking of balconies and views:

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/2104/img32411pz4.jpg

[The Great Scaper]

He's my best friend!! Totally Loyal and full of love!!! :)

Hey finally!!! What a great view from that balcony! What a lucky guy.

Hey how did your photos turn out from the top of the fire hall tower?

Also nice photo...what a huge difference the Radius, Gateway Green and the Hudson will make on this...even the Juliet will be seen! ( Aastra???) :D

[The Great Scaper]

I've actually been enjoying my camera a bit more lately, as I have been finding some time to take some photos. I think I will go photo hunting this Sunday!!!

Anyways have a great weekend everyone!!! Zoomer have fun with your Cousin...try and stay somewhat sober!! :D

[The Great Scaper]

Took some photos today....

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1043/607635518_e80fbef3e0.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1226/607644818_2e5d505197.jpg?v=0

Shelbourne and Cedar Hill X rd.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1320/607960982_aa3a3ba010.jpg?v=0

Tuscany Village and the new Home Depot in Saanich
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1133/607961008_ac538af89b.jpg?v=0

[The Great Scaper]

Here is another pan shot I took from Mt. Tolmie at a zoom. I slightly screwed up the last frame but it's pretty close....

Aastra..... can you clean this one up???

:D

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/2583/gridphotos029ys9.jpg

[Dylan Leblanc]

Hey Bob those are some good ones! And again I can see my apartment in the one from Mount Tolmie. :)

[The Great Scaper]

I know...I was taking your photo!!! :eek:

[zoomer]

wow, those are incredible! now for a lame picture that pales in comparison.. from atop the firehall on Yates. If you want a larger version let me know.

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/9817/pancg6.jpg

[The Great Scaper]

That's pretty cool!!! It's too bad we couldn't get up there in the morning have have the sun behind us. You also need to get a camera with a good zoom, Zoomer! :D Most of my photos from up there were too dark I wish I had a bit more time up there.

I had a lot of fun that night, it had been a while since I had done some roof top stuff. Always a good time. :) Anyways, I'll call you later in the week!!! Have a good weekend buddy!

[The Great Scaper]

Wow I got some good photos today!!! I'll post them in a few minutes!!! Really excited about them actually. I got up some fire escapes (with permission), the top floor of the Grand Pacific, and much more!!! I had a fun day today!!! :) And I hardly did any work today!!!

[The Great Scaper]

Here are a few of my photos, the rest of them you can see on my flickr account at http://flickr.com/photos/55063726@N00/


Like I say this is just a snippit of what I took today there is probably about 25 more on my flickr account....cheers all

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/43/downtowncoolphotos0185po1.jpg

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/9929/downtowncoolphotos0255ml6.jpg

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/453/downtowncoolphotos0685sz6.jpg

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9250/downtowncoolphotos070kc2.jpg

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/1561/downtowncoolphotos041jx3.jpg

[m0nkyman]

Loving this one!
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9250/downtowncoolphotos070kc2.jpg

[renthefinn]

I see they have the staples logo on top of Rohanni, that doesn't look very good, I liked the Scotia logo better.

[The Great Scaper]

I know I laugh every time I see that logo. I like seeing banks logos on tall office buildings, or if Victoria had more of them I guess seeing staples wouldn't be so bad but it's kinda crazy.....

Hey one last one, I was out late tonight...gotta get up early tomorrow, At least I rested most of the day today!!!!

The full harbor shot for you guys.... Again Aastra maybe you could clean it up a hair hey!

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/9121/downtowncoolphotos000dp8.jpg

[aastra]

http://www.therealvictoria.ca/images/victoriaharbourovercast.jpg

[Holden West]

Nice. Except that yacht is breaking the height limit.

[m0nkyman]

The sailboat you mean... ;)

[The Great Scaper]

Now that's funny...I was looking at how high that was when I downloaded the photos!

Aastra thanks for blending that together!!! I appreciate it. I am trying to keep a really good record of my favorite skyline shots, and your work on the last two have been very helpful and appreciated. I am really more and more enjoying taking photos. I don't have a lot of time for it but I find it a bit of a stress relief and just plane fun!!! I'm like a kid with a new toy lately even though I've had my camera for a while now.

Cheers.

I'll see if I can take a few more this Sunday maybe....Zoome. You wanna come out? or anyone else? :)

[gumgum]

Scaper, why aren't you on Vibrant Victoria anymore these days?

[Holden West]

The sailboat you mean... ;)

Ah, yes, sailboat I mean. But yacht is a good word. Say it to yourself. Yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht.

Yacht.

Who wants to meet me downtown tomorrow so we can try selling $20 tickets for the noon sailing of the Undersea Gardens?

[Mike K.]

Yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht, yacht.

Yacht.

Where's our yacht expert, Manly, when you need him?

[The Great Scaper]

Holden....

Holy...thanks for the good laugh!!! I needed it! hahahaha, I am so tired today :)

[TwoFace]

The difference between a "ship" and "yacht" is it's condition, size and opulence.
A "large" sailboat is also a Yacht. A large vessel in "disrepair" is a ship or boat.

Looking at the Inner Harbour photo, the two main yachts could be:

- "Georgia" 159ft sailing yacht built by Alloy in New Zealand
http://www.cnconnect.com/charter/yachtdetail.aspx?id=2877

- The Motor Yacht looks like an "oceanco" yacht, built in Holland and could possibly be named "Lazy Z" 165 footer.
http://www.charterworld.com/index.html?sub=yacht-charter&charter=luxury-yacht-lazy-z-841

cant tell for sure, through quality of shot and distance.

Both are probably doing charter work in the PNW and going up to Alaska.

[aastra]

I'll see if I can take a few more this Sunday maybe....Zoome. You wanna come out? or anyone else?

I might be up for that. What time? How about combining the photography junket with a pub crawl? Nothing serious, just a beer here and then go for a walk, and then another beer there and then go for a walk, etc.

[The Great Scaper]

Aastra...that would be awesome. Feel free to call me.... ######### (too bad erased now) or email me. It would be cool to see you again too. We'll free Zoomer from the confinds of his family for the night!!! :D Anyone else wanna join? again call or email. :D

Talking about sailboats and Yachts...I took this photo a couple of weeks ago from the Songhee's hilltop.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/thegreatscaper/GrowingVictoriaandnewdevelopments04.jpg

[The Great Scaper]

Also check this guys group out at flickr.com I joined and have sent him some photos....he was really happy I jumped in. Another group of comrades.

I think there is 15 that belong to his flickr group. Cool!

http://flickr.com/groups/vic_buildingboom/pool/

[aastra]

Okay, I've got your phone number. You can take it down from here whenever you like.

[The Great Scaper]

HAhahaha... I am so private hey!!! :haha:

[zoomer]

Also check this guys group out at flickr.com I joined and have sent him some photos....he was really happy I jumped in. Another group of comrades.

I think there is 15 that belong to his flickr group. Cool!

http://flickr.com/groups/vic_buildingboom/pool/

from that flickr group, lots of anti-Crystal View views (!) spouted on this page (http://flickr.com/groups/vic_buildingboom/discuss/72157600103009059/)...except for the final comment by a person I believe goes under a different name in these parts...

[The Great Scaper]

Hey man!!! You gotta convert the unbelievers!!! Save the lost souls!!! Oh man too funny. How ever there is a guy who has appreciated my photos and has had a good conversation with me. But still hilarious!!!! Hahaha... :D

By the way... Check out my response! :D

[The Great Scaper]

By the way I forgot to mention that the 200 Douglas St. Proposal in Jamesbay is now at 15 stories!

Also have some other interesting tidbits too but best not post them on here!!! hehehe!!!:D

ADDITION

By the way, I am going to City Hall tomorrow night to see what happens with plannings request to Council of raising height limits in the North end of Town by up to 35 percent. This is really exciting!

[Holden West]

^I see on Google Maps that's where Simcoe hits Beacon Hill Park. I know there are already highrises around there. If it was on a parking lot I might support it but this will eliminate some valuable affordable rental housing while many vacant lots remain undeveloped!

[The Great Scaper]

The building now sits on a large lot, and a fairly big parking lot. All the parking is to be underground. I hear that neighbors would support an 8 story building but he originally went with 12 but is now trying for 15. I guess for me it's better there than on Bear Mountain but I would much rather see the growth happen in Harris Green, Downtown, or even in new areas like Rock Bay. However Jamesbay does need to densify as well. In my opinion. :)

[aastra]

Not sure how I feel about this one. I still feel the best place for a new highrise in James Bay would have been on the parking lot across from Orchard House.

[The Great Scaper]

Exactly! That's why I am not over disappointed that Chard's five story dream there didn't come to reality. I hope that in 5 years or so a nice 20 -25 story condo tower will appear there. Maybe some one will propose a rental tower there!

[The Great Scaper]

So the building height relaxation for north town was approved. So how exciting is that. It gives way to buildings of 19 stories for Residential and 16 for Commercial. :tup: :tup: :tup:

It was also fun to watch the Big Bus gong show at City Hall. We had some good chuckles. :)

[The Great Scaper]

Supposedly the Density increase that planning put forward was voted down though at Committee of the Whole. So that to me is kinda confusing. :shrug:

Accept height increase but not the density increase????

[zoomer]

ok, that is just plain weird. Should be minimum density requirements.

19 is cool, my only worry, will 19 be the new 14? You know, eventually a lot of 19's will end up looking like 14s...kinda stubby?