[sacrifice333]

We'll have to keep our fingers crossed.

RC still needs a builder, yes?

Seeing this thing above grade with some glazing would be nice.

[Mike K.]

:hyper:

[SpongeG]

This is incredible news -- RC is back, baby!!!! Crack open the bubbly... if there's one project that needs to live in British Columbia, this is THE one...

someone tell CTV

what do we mean its back?

[LeftCoaster]

We'll have to keep our fingers crossed.

RC still needs a builder, yes?

Seeing this thing above grade with some glazing would be nice.

Not necessarily, Westbank is building Fairmont Pacific Rim without a construction manager. It can certainly be done, you just need to have the right staff on hand... which i doubt Holborn does.

I will reserve all celebration and 'bubbly' until i see this thing at least several floors above grade. This project is still miles from being on stable ground.

[thefly]

Rumour has it that there is an application with cityhall to increase the amount of hotel rooms. If this is true then it bolds well. I have no insight on it though.

It's long been known that the Ritz wanted more rooms, and as the Residences didn't sell out it would be easy enough to remove some condo units and increase the hotel by a few floors. Of course this would reduce the amount of profit by the developer by a sizeable amount. Either way there is quite a lot of activity brewing behind the scenes on this project at the moment so I imagine we will learn something shortly and be able to end all this suspense.

I've looked into this and while it may eventually come true this sounds like it is just a rumour at this point. One big issue is that it would mean the filing of an amended disclosure statement which of course brings rescission rights with it.

[sacrifice333]

I've looked into this and while it may eventually come true this sounds like it is just a rumour at this point. One big issue is that it would mean the filing of an amended disclosure statement which of course brings rescission rights with it.

Could the developer "upgrade" people on the lowest residential floors for now, and then after construction is complete, apply, and make the appropriate changes to provide the hotel with the additional space it wanted to thereby avoiding the need to file an amended disclosure statement?

[thefly]

Could the developer "upgrade" people on the lowest residential floors for now, and then after construction is complete, apply, and make the appropriate changes to provide the hotel with the additional space it wanted to thereby avoiding the need to file an amended disclosure statement?

No, if any of the floors allocations are changed this would require the filing of an amended DS. The simple fact is that everyone's space is different then what they bought at the time and this would also change their unit entitlement so their monthly fees would change.

[TwoFace]

No, if any of the floors allocations are changed this would require the filing of an amended DS. The simple fact is that everyone's space is different then what they bought at the time and this would also change their unit entitlement so their monthly fees would change.

Good point, "re-selling" the project in current market conditions could be an Olympic feat in itself.

[towrguy3]

The foundation is going deeper

[Canadian Mind]

The foundation is going deeper

You are back?

Thanks for the update.

[mr.x]

You are back?

Thanks for the update.

What appears to be only for a little while.:cool: :cheers:

[LeftCoaster]

What appears to be only for a little while.:cool: :cheers:

Yoda? Is that you?

[mr.x]

Yoda? Is that you?

Lost a planet Master Obi-Wan has. How embarrassing…

[MapleLeaf]

I really like the vitality of the building on the renderings. I can´t wait to see this being built. :tup:

[subdude]

Cool, they're still working on it. Activity from yesterday, photo by me:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/3088141267_1f81a0eeae_o.jpg

[flight_from_kamakura]

don't tease us you bastards! have some pity!

[mr.x]

^ news just in: Terasen Gas building next door topples in on the Ritz Carlton site.

[squeezied]

?

[mr.x]

Taken by yellow fever over at ssc:

http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr71/yellowfever_2008/2054244464_451ffe2f8a_m-1.jpg

http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr71/yellowfever_2008/2053465433_2d8c152005.jpg

[giallo]

That's a beautiful model.
Keep digging, guys. Don't stop!

[mr.x]

Keep diggin till we hit Hong Kong! Maybe the 2 IFC will invert itself into Vancouver!

[Hong Kongese]

Oops! Sorry guys, I didn't take those pics, I got them from flickr and the credit goes to Ahmad Kavousian. :)

[Waterloo_Guy]

I thought this got canceled? Is this thing still a go? I'd love to see it in the Vancouver skyline.

[Yume-sama]

I thought this got canceled? Is this thing still a go? I'd love to see it in the Vancouver skyline.

Nobody knows :sly: I wish we knew.

I think it will get built eventually. I hope so, anyways.

[Hot Rod]

I thought this got canceled? Nope :shrug:

Is this thing still a go?Yep :tup:

I'd love to see it in the Vancouver skyline. Mee too! :yes:

[mr.x]

I thought this got canceled? Is this thing still a go?

Blasphemy!

[jlousa]

It's not cancelled yet. ;)

[raggedy13]

^That "yet" is a bit unsettling. :P

[city-dweller]

I heard on the weekend from an engineer (who I doubt would throw me spin) that the whole issue was: RC was to have 8 levels of underground parking and they hit bedrock at 3 (whatever the level they stopped at) The neighbors got wind of some more explosive solutions to this problem and looked for to stall the project until they were comfortable with the construction again.


Any thoughts? (I didn't think 8 levels of parking sounded realistic anyway)

[wrenegade]

8 levels underground sounds about right. Shangri-La is 7, and the first level there is double height (18') for tour buses.

[WarrenC12]

8 sounds like a stretch, but 3 is too few levels anyway, so they need to get into that bedrock to a certain extent.

[jlousa]

The issue with RC is not the parking, that was a mere snag. The problem is much more complex and impossible to explain completely, not that I even know everything anyways. But it is very worrisome that the people close to this project don't have complete faith it's still going to happen.

[phesto]

^Yeah, some apparent 'restructuring' at Holborn recently is not exactly an encouraging sign.

In any event, the excavators were roaring away at 7:30 this morning.

[LeftCoaster]

To be honest if the restructuring is occuring at the top it might actually be an encouraging sign.

This project is an elephant on thin ice. The cracks have been forming for quite some time now, lets just hope it can scamper to shore before being swallowed up.

[city-dweller]

I forgot that SL was 7 levels. As for bedrock, isn't the downtown area siting mostly on sandstone? I thought those back-hoe jackhammers were the standard approach to clearing it.:shrug:

[Pinion]

HSBC building has more than three levels of parking too, possibly five. Can't find the exact number but one site says 435 stalls.

[jlousa]

Office Towers require more parking then residential, picture how many workers there are per office floor as opposed to a high end condo tower like the ritz that probably has 4-8 people living per floor.

[agrant]

I forgot that SL was 7 levels. As for bedrock, isn't the downtown area siting mostly on sandstone? I thought those back-hoe jackhammers were the standard approach to clearing it.:shrug:Doesn't make sense to me that you'd have bedrock across the street from Shangri-la, which didn't seem to experience this problem.

[phesto]

Doesn't make sense to me that you'd have bedrock across the street from Shangri-la, which didn't seem to experience this problem.

As I recall, the same excavation company (Bel Pacific) encountered a vein of rock during the Shangri-la dig that they had not anticipated - which led to some delays.

[officedweller]

There was blasting for excavation at the Shangri-La site.

[agrant]

^^ Well there you go.

[city-dweller]

:cheers: As long as the work keeps moving along I am happy :banana:

[Mike K.]

Any updates for us non-locals?

[mr.x]

Any updates for us non-locals?

All the snow, melting, and rain plus the inactivity at the site may have created Downtown's new duck pond?:shrug:

[Mike K.]

Still nothing new to report?

[LeftCoaster]

No, which with this project I would say is a good thing.

I think the verbal lashing Lim got from his father in law may have straightened him out some.

[AlexYVR]

JLousa reported in the 'Downtown Updates' thread that they had hooked up hydro to the site - seems like good news?

[jlousa]

I think it was the Hotel Georgia thread, but yes Hydro has been run to the site line. Excavation looks to be wraping up any day now as well, they have also updated the completion date to 2012 so at least there is some movement.

[Rusty Gull]

I think the verbal lashing Lim got from his father in law may have straightened him out some.

Details? :hyper:

[thefly]

Details? :hyper:

This is just one of many rumors flying around.

[LeftCoaster]

Its not much of a Rumour. It is well known that Lim married into the money that is being used to fund Holburn... Which is also the reason he holds the position he does. It certainly isnt for any professional merrit. Apparently a few months ago Lim's father in law flew in from Asia during the time that the Ritz Carlton was all over the news and tore a strip off his back for seemingly bungling the entire project. Of course this was behind closed doors, but I have heard about it from several different sources within the industry.

[phesto]

It's probably not a coincidence that excavation was halted the day after Lim's father-in-law flew into town...nor is it a coincidence that work has continued since his departure...

Walked by the site the other day and excavation definitely seems to have reached bottom, at least on most of the site. They've got some of that horizontal rebar/grating stuff sitting around that goes at the bottom of foundations.

[Mike K.]

^cool.

[phesto]

Update from yesterday morning (Jan 17)

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/6458/img2240dr1.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6218/img2241zk5.jpg

[officedweller]

Is that pic from the alley?
i.e. does the ledge on the right represent the level where the tie-back rods for the shotcrete wall could no longer trespass on the neighbouring property - so the excavation's wall had to be moved inwards (allowing depth for the tie-back rods to wholly remain on Holborn's property)? -> the "redesign" of the parkade?

[sacrifice333]

That could be the 'redesign'. Hmmm.

Sure would be nice to have this project above grade by Feb 2010, instead of the vacant eyesore that it's been for the last 20 years.

[MolsonExport]

Update from yesterday morning (Jan 17)

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/6458/img2240dr1.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6218/img2241zk5.jpg

Christ, are they digging a hole to China?

[Spork]

Christ, are they digging a hole to China?

The Indian Ocean (http://map.talleye.com/bighole.php), actually.

[excel]

thanks for the updates.

[LeftCoaster]

^ haha cool site, I always thought it didn't make any sense that you would end up in China. Funny thing is it seems the only place to dig though the earth and end up in china is Southern South America, like Argentina or Chile.

Is that pic from the alley?
i.e. does the ledge on the right represent the level where the tie-back rods for the shotcrete wall could no longer trespass on the neighbouring property - so the excavation's wall had to be moved inwards (allowing depth for the tie-back rods to wholly remain on Holborn's property)? -> the "redesign" of the parkade?


I dont think so, from my understanding the infringment is at every level of the dig, I dont think Holborn has made any concessions at this point, although perhaps someone has a better idea of what has transgressed legally here.

[phesto]

Is that pic from the alley?
i.e. does the ledge on the right represent the level where the tie-back rods for the shotcrete wall could no longer trespass on the neighbouring property - so the excavation's wall had to be moved inwards (allowing depth for the tie-back rods to wholly remain on Holborn's property)? -> the "redesign" of the parkade?

These photos are from the alley.

btw, they were still blasting today, so there could still be a ways to go down on the eastern portion of the site.

[sacrifice333]

I dont think so, from my understanding the infringment is at every level of the dig, I dont think Holborn has made any concessions at this point, although perhaps someone has a better idea of what has transgressed legally here.

True... the infringement from commencement of excavation through to the stop work order would have been at every level, but in order to re-commence the digging Holburn would likely have had to back off a little on that side of the land which could indeed explain the "parking lot redesign" and the ledge shown in the picture.

Of course there still may be ongoing legal action regarding the original infringement up to the stop-work order.

[officedweller]

Agreed. I was looking at it from a "damage is done" perspective - i.e. no additional trespassing while they sort out the penalties/damages for the past trespass (rather than extracting the tieback rods and restructuring the wall above the ledge).

[Vancity]

So the Ritz Carlton is still a go? I heard that the expected date of completion will be now 2012. I'm hoping that this project is still going ahead, it would be a shame for the project to fall through :(

[LotusLand]

So the Ritz Carlton is still a go? I heard that the expected date of completion will be now 2012. I'm hoping that this project is still going ahead, it would be a shame for the project to fall through :(

It's still a go! What I'm more curious about is the redesign I keep hearing, all I hope is the tower maintains its twist. Maybe they'll add more floors lol jk.

[officedweller]

We think that the redesign is that ledge discussed above in the parkade - it would constrain the location of columns as well as parking circulation and stall location. That's it.

[Rusty Gull]

If that's the case, keep on drinking the bubbly, ladies and gentlemen!

With the Georgia, the Ritz, and dare I say it, Olympic Village, still rising, we will have lots to talk about on this forum over the next year or two!

[sacrifice333]

With the Georgia, the Ritz, and dare I say it, Olympic Village, still rising, we will have lots to talk about on this forum over the next year or two!

We certainly won't be able to complain too much if 3 of Vancouver's most ambitious projects are indeed completed during some of the most tumultuous times, economically, in the last 100 years.

We'll just have to continue to keep our fingers crossed though. :yes:

[agrant]

That could be the 'redesign'. Hmmm.

Sure would be nice to have this project above grade by Feb 2010, instead of the vacant eyesore that it's been for the last 20 years.I think the hole is an improvement from where it was a year ago. :)

[Yume-sama]

:P I talked to a realtor who works for Rennie today, asked him if the Ritz was still going ahead as planned. His answer...

"It'd have a better chance if you bought one!" :haha:

But yes, he apparently thinks it will. :notacrook:

[sacrifice333]

I'm hoping "saving face" will get this thing built.

[Vancity]

It's still a go! What I'm more curious about is the redesign I keep hearing, all I hope is the tower maintains its twist. Maybe they'll add more floors lol jk.

haha..wouldn't that be nice ;)

[Vancity]

:P I talked to a realtor who works for Rennie today, asked him if the Ritz was still going ahead as planned. His answer...

"It'd have a better chance if you bought one!" :haha:

But yes, he apparently thinks it will. :notacrook:

haha..sorry, I really wish I could buy one :yes: but yeah...mmm...can't afford one.

[Hed Kandi]

Ultimately, if this building does come of fruition, it will be the cladding that "makes or breaks" this tower as an architectural landmark for the city.

[LotusLand]

We think that the redesign is that ledge discussed above in the parkade - it would constrain the location of columns as well as parking circulation and stall location. That's it.

Cool. Thanks :)

[vanman]

Ultimately, if this building does come of fruition, it will be the cladding that "makes or breaks" this tower as an architectural landmark for the city.

I agree. It better be reflective, mirrored would be insane.

[sacrifice333]

The Wall Centre tower would have been amazing had the dark glass continued up the entire structure.

[Metro-One]

:previous: Yes, that again shows the blunders of city council. forcing developers to use the same colored see through glass!

[jlousa]

Umm no it shows the blunder of the developer trying to pull a fast one on the city. The city learned from it's mistake and now keeps a sample of the materials that are approved for usage.

[LeftCoaster]

I thought one of the issues was that the right sample was used, just that it looked different in the dim light inside as opposed to direct sunlight outside?

[wrenegade]

A fair amount of work going on-site today.

Someone please let me know if these photos show up properly. I seem to be retarded when it comes to posting pics. Also, I am new with this camera, so bear with me.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/3213052589_c1781a897d_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/3213051975_54239a7c24_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3456/3213051229_b8aee3bfa9_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3213050271_1ea2369499_b.jpg

[jlousa]

I think that was the developers arguement, unfortunately their was no samples to see which side was telling the truth.

[Vancity]

:previous: it's looking good :tup:

[Canadian Mind]

That is a deep hole.

[raggedy13]

Thanks for the pics, awvan!

[vanman]

Much appreciated.

[metroXpress]

Thanks for the update...how many storeys below ground is that?

[Mike K.]

I was in Vancouver the other day and forgot to scope out the activity for myself. Oops.

Photos much appreciated, awvan.

[Phil McAvity]

Little wonder you missed it Mike since at this point it is the exact opposite of a skyscraper.

That's a good-looking hole (and thanks to the internet I see lots of them ;) ) but I don't think it rivals the depth of S-L. That thing went so deep I was expecting to see Chinese people to suddenly appear at the bottom.

[wrenegade]

Walked by the site yesterday, still digging, the hole is big. If the weather improves a bit, I might be able to grab some photos.

[Chikinlittle]

Are things still progressing here?

I just had a look at the Ritz Carlton being built in Toronto and realized that the design there is almost identical to the original (rejected) design for here in Vancouver. Don't know if that had been commented on previously.

[officedweller]

Not exactly the same - the Vancouver proposed tower had a triangular floorplate and was described as a "vase".

[AlexYVR]

I've always been curious about that design - does anyone have any renderings of the original rejected proposal? I've done some google/architects searches and haven't come up with anything. . .

[metroXpress]

:previous:

Mr X2 has some renderings of the previous designs on the first post of this thread! Quoted here for you...


PREVIOUS DESIGNS:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/provisore/1133WestGeorgia1.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/provisore/1133WestGeorgia2.jpg

http://www.dysarch.com/UserImages/WebImages/ProjectImages/1.%20RESIDENTIAL/Market%20High%20Rise/1133%20West%20Georgia/1133-West-Georgia-Drawing.jpg

[raggedy13]

^He's talking about the much earlier version. I found some pics in the "Highrise Construction" subforum (originally posted by excel, from his imageshack account):

Initial design:
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/8902/1133westgeorgiastreetscuq4.jpg
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/1672/4288picture010bif6.jpg
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/8742/4288picture003wr5.jpg
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=136532

[Chikinlittle]

Thanks Raggedy. That's the one. I had never seen the model before so didn't realize that it was a triangular footprint. Otherwise, from the other images, it does look strikingly familiar to the Ritz Carlton being built in YYZ.

[osirisboy]

YYZ? is that the airport code for toronto?? lol thats obscure. usually people refer to a city by its name

anyway I walked past ritz today and it was extremely busy with construction, which is always good to see.

[Chikinlittle]

Yes, YYZ is Toronto. Sorry, force of habit.

[mr.x]

Thanks Raggedy. That's the one. I had never seen the model before so didn't realize that it was a triangular footprint. Otherwise, from the other images, it does look strikingly familiar to the Ritz Carlton being built in YYZ.

Well yes, they stole/used the same original Vancouver design.


Really though, Vancouver could sure use both the old and new Ritz Carlton designs.

[Chikinlittle]

Agreed. But if I had to pick one of the two, I think we win :)

Well yes, they stole/used the same original Vancouver design.


Really though, Vancouver could sure use both the old and new Ritz Carlton designs.