[mr.x]

The Future of Woodward's

The Woodward's building, located in the 100 block of West Hastings in Vancouver, has long played a pivotal role in our city. It once provided food, household goods and employment to many people in the local community and beyond. Today, it is the focus of a neighbourhood's hopes and dreams.

The City of Vancouver purchased the Woodward's building from the Province of BC in March 2003. The City began a unique process to involve the community and other Vancouver residents in designing and planning the redevelopment of the building in a way that is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.

Since Woodward's closed in 1993, the building has sat vacant and several previous attempts to redevelop it failed. It has also been the focus of much debate about what should happen with the site.

Meanwhile, in the immediate neighbourhood, there has been an exodus of legitimate business and a lack of new investment. High unemployment among residents and poverty have resulted in a number of social issues that have unquestionably affected the health and well-being of the community.

Several government and community initiatives over the last few years have started to result in some improvements in the neighbourhood.

However, the redevelopment of the Woodward's building is, both practically and symbolically, key to the revitalization of the Downtown Eastside.


History

The building was built in 1903 by Charles Woodward, as the second location for the Woodward's department store. Woodward's pioneered the concept of one-stop shopping; the store included a food floor, household items, men's and women's fashion, and provided cheque cashing, travel booking and other services. The store was well-known for carrying a large variety of goods that were not available anywhere else. The store soon became a feature attraction in Vancouver, and it expanded over 12 separate phases to a final size of 12 storeys. It occupied approximately 2/3 of the city block. The popularity of Woodward's attracted many other businesses to the area. In 1944, the landmark "W" was installed on the top of the building on a 25 metre replica of the Eiffel Tower, replacing a pre-war searchlight-beacon which had until then been the building's hallmark. The beacon, which was visible at night from as far away as Abbotsford and Mission, was shut down at the beginning of World War II because of its potential use as a landmark for aerial attacks.

Woodward's fortunes declined as customers gravitated to more suburban malls, but the Vancouver location was also greatly impacted by the transfer of the Eaton's department store from its location at West Hastings and Richards (a few blocks away), to the uptown location of Pacific Centre kitty-corner from The Bay, which signalled the demise of West Hastings Street as the central retail district in the city. In the 1980s, Woodward's sold the food floor - long known for its quality and its line of unusual specialities - to Safeway. During the same time, the area around the Woodward's building started to decline socially and economically. In 1993, Woodward's went bankrupt and closed its doors. Many of the store's suburban locations were sold to the Hudson's Bay Company for conversion to Zellers and Bay stores, but there was little interest in the historic downtown building. The closing of the Woodward's store precipitated an even more rapid decline in the area.


Structure

The building grew over a many years in incremental phases, so the structure varies in each area of the building. The majority of the building was concrete slabs and columns with only the original 1903-08 building using massive heavy timber construction from the old growth forests that were available near Vancouver at the turn of the 20th century. Much of the square footage of the building was not retail space; mazes of stockrooms comprised the much of the building's space, outside the view of customers.

On the morning of September 30, 2006 all but the oldest original portion of the Woodward's structure was demolished with a "roll-over" implosion by Pacific Blasting which signaled the beginning of the construction of the new complex of buildings.


Redevelopment

In 1995, the building was acquired by Fama Holdings. The firm developed a plan to build private housing in the building. However, many of those in the neighbourhood strongly objected as it was felt to be important that the project incorporate social housing. The provincial government of British Columbia decided to fund some social housing as part of the project. However, Fama and the province could not come to an agreement, and the project died. The building stood largely vacant, except for the occasional film shoot.

In 2001, the province bought the building from Fama for $22 million. A variety of options were pursued to develop the building. In 2002, the building was occupied by an organized squat that demanded that the building be developed into social housing. Eventually, the city forced the squatters to leave.

In 2003, the City of Vancouver purchased the building for $5 million, and began a unique public consultation process, asking the community what they wanted from the redevelopment. After a two stage competition between three developers, in September 2004 the city selected Westbank Projects/Peterson Investment Group to develop and Gregory Henriquez of Henriquez Partners Architects to lead the design of the new buildings. The 300 million dollar project, includes 536 market housing units,125 singles non-market housing units to be operated by PHS Community Services,75 family non-market housing units to be operated by Affordable Housing Society,anchor food store and drugstore, shops, community and public green space,federal and civic offices, a daycare, and a new addition to the SFU downtown campus: the 130,000 sf School for Contemporary Arts. The oldest part of the complex (built 1903–1908) will be restored, and will serve as non-profit community space which will include space for Aids Vancouver among many others. Construction began in winter of 2006, with a completion scheduled for the fall of 2009.

The "W" neon sign, which topped the building on the Eiffel Tower replica, was removed before the demolition and will be refurbished and installed when the new development is complete.


Facts

- Approved in principle by City of Vancouver Council on September 13, 2005.
- Integrated into the complex will be the 150,000 square foot School for the Contemporary Arts, Simon Fraser University.
- The $280 million project was unanimously approved by the city's Urban Design Panel December 7, 2005.
- Total of 736 residential units: 536 market, 75 non-market family, 125 non-market singles.
- February 27, 2006: Development Permit Board and Advisory Panel review meeting.
- April 22, 2006: In just under 12 hours the entire complex of condominiums was completely sold-out, in what was more than $200 million worth of property.
- On June 23, 2006, between 11 a.m. and 12 noon, the landmark "W" sign was taken down, closing the block of Abbott between Hastings and Cordova. The "W" will be refurbished and reinstalled in a different location within the new project during 2009.
- All 536 units in the project sold in one day.
- Although much of the multi-phase building was prepared for destruction in September 2006, save West Hastings Building slated for heritage status, actual demolition took place at 8:00 a.m., on Saturday, September 30, 2006.
- Total buildable area is 1,160,862 square feet providing about 976,000 square feet of net space.
- The development will house a 33,000 sqft 2 level London Drugs, a 17,000 sqft Nesters' Market, a new TD Bank branch, and rumoured Starbucks and McDonalds.


Project Size
905,000 sf consisting of:
· 125 Single Non-Market Housing
· 75 Family Non-Market Units
· SFU - Centre for Contemporary Arts
· 536 Market Housing Units
· Potenital Federal/City Department Office Space
· Indoor Atrium and Garden Area
· Outdoor Public Open Space, Urban Park and Plaza
· Roof Gardens

Architect
Henriquez Partners Architects

Completion
Spring 2009

Developer
Westbank Projects Corp. & Peterson Investment Group Inc.

Cost
$280 million

Construction Commencement
February 2006

http://www.woodwardsdistrict.com/
http://vancouver.ca/corpsvcs/realestate/woodwards/index.htm


http://www.emporis.com/images/6/2007/02/518399.gif

http://www.emporis.com/images/6/2007/05/534801.jpg

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/2206/woodwards1zf4.png

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http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/1008/woodwards10vl9.png

http://www.westbankcorp.com/images/Woodwards-full2.jpghttp://www.westbankcorp.com/images/Woodwards-full3.jpg

http://www.westbankcorp.com/images/Woodwards-full4.jpghttp://www.westbankcorp.com/images/Woodwards-full5.jpg

http://www.westbankcorp.com/images/Woodwards-full6.jpghttp://www.westbankcorp.com/images/Woodwards-full7.jpg

http://www.westbankcorp.com/images/Woodwards-full8.jpghttp://www.westbankcorp.com/images/Woodwards-full9.jpg

http://www.westbankcorp.com/images/Woodwards-full10.jpghttp://www.westbankcorp.com/images/Woodwards-full11.jpg

http://www.westbankcorp.com/images/Woodwards-full12.jpg

[mr.x]

Before demolition in 2006
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f3/Vancouver_Woodward%27s_2005.jpg

http://pricetags.files.wordpress.com/2006/09/copy-of-woodwards-1.jpg

http://pricetags.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/copy-of-woodwards-ephrem-cheng.jpg



Demolition work in 2006
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/26/Vancouver_Woodward%27s_2006.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/115/255829077_b5889fc168.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/78/209889608_32fd69fd35.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/89/219549902_0ae78607a2.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/69/168700768_075f594e7c.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/93/219546179_dd20b169c7.jpg?v=0



IMPLOSION in 2006

On September 30, 2006, much of the Woodwards complex was demolished. Only the original 1903 building was kept, and will be restored. Below are videos of the rolling implosion of the buildings:

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[gumgum]

Wow!
I love the detail of information on every project!
It's amazing!

[raggedy13]

Thanks a ton for all your effort on the intros for all these projects mr.x2, you're doing an awesome job!

Here are some construction pics that I finally got around to taking yesterday...

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/Sept%2022%202007/100_9445.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/Sept%2022%202007/100_9449.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/Sept%2022%202007/100_9450.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/Sept%2022%202007/100_9451.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/Sept%2022%202007/100_9453.jpg

[giallo]

I had no idea it was that far along.
A+ for effort, Mr.x2!

[vanman]

^Holy Shite, niether did I. Thanks Raggedy

[jlousa]

Just a couple more tidbits to include, the development will house a 33,000sqft 2 level London Drugs, a 17,000sqft Nesters' Market, a new TD branch, and an unconfrimed at this stage Starbucks and McDonalds.
Not surprised by the Starbucks, but the McDonalds is surprising as they have one at Tinseltown.

[raggedy13]

^Perhaps another McDonalds couldn't hurt, it might be ideal for such a low-income neighbourhood. Not the healthiest choice but you can't argue with those prices! By the way, do you think the price of places like McDonalds will go down eventually with the higher dollar? It would seem that lower prices would certainly help out low-income families and individuals in general.

With respect to construction status, I was also really surprised when I saw it 3 or 4 weeks ago one day. I hadn't realized it was above grade - it hasn't been getting much coverage. I'm glad I finally got around to getting some pics.

[Canadian Mind]

in those pics the support columns look like they are out of line... I hope that's only an illusion.

[officedweller]

I like the metal edging on the floors - I guess that has to do with the "living wall"?

[giallo]

in those pics the support columns look like they are out of line... I hope that's only an illusion.



You're right. The column on the fifth floor in this picture looks pretty warped.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/Sept%2022%202007/100_9449.jpg

[mr.x]

Just a couple more tidbits to include, the development will house a 33,000sqft 2 level London Drugs, a 17,000sqft Nesters' Market, a new TD branch, and an unconfrimed at this stage Starbucks and McDonalds.
Not surprised by the Starbucks, but the McDonalds is surprising as they have one at Tinseltown.

Added. :)

[Canadian Mind]

You're right. The column on the fifth floor in this picture looks pretty warped.


Not just that one dude, look at the two floors below it. while these columns don't appear warped, they certainly don't line up. I hope the building is designed like that, or it's some fat illusion.

What got me worried is that it just wasn't the one picture, I've seen several now where the columns look off.

[leftside]

They've started adding glass windows to the lower floor.

[agrant]

Not just that one dude, look at the two floors below it. while these columns don't appear warped, they certainly don't line up. I hope the building is designed like that, or it's some fat illusion.

What got me worried is that it just wasn't the one picture, I've seen several now where the columns look off.It's probably the lighting or contrast in the pics.

[NewfBC]

It's probably the lighting or contrast in the pics.


Or the result of hiring a construction crew from the Downtown East Side. ;)

Ron.

[entheosfog]

A couple of pics of Woodwards I took today:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/entheos_fog/DSCF4889.jpg?t=1191632623

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/entheos_fog/DSCF4890.jpg?t=1191632653

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/entheos_fog/DSCF4891.jpg?t=1191632675

[osirisboy]

^^^ thanks.

i love how dark the glass is

[entheosfog]

:previous: I'm really looking forward to this project going up and up and up...I can't wait to see what happens to the area when it's done...

[giallo]

Yeah, the dark panels of glass are sweet!

[Hed Kandi]

This building has some of the most God-Awful architecture I have ever seen.

How the hell did Woodwards receive approval.

[jlousa]

^^^ Have to disagree with you, This is my favourite project currently under construction. Not sure what's not to like, I think it's a beautiful design that tries it's best to be inclusive of it's surroundings. No one can accuse it of being another cookie-cutter condo project. Henriquez and partners have done a great job on this.

The wooden model pictured might make it hard to appreciate the details, there are some pictures of the marketing model around, study them and hopefully they will change your mind. If not, wait till it's completed and I'll give you a tour of the project hopefully that will do it for you.:tup:

[raggedy13]

I really like the architecture of this project as well. It's a much needed deviation from the typical Vancouver condo design. I've always like Henriquez stuff in the past as well. I admit the part I like the looks of most is the original restored heritage building but the towers themselves will look great as well and I can't wait to check out that interior courtyard.

[SFUVancouver]

I'm also a fan of the new Woodwards precinct. In particular I like the W43 tower. I think its flatiron elevation will look spectacular from Cordova at Waterfront. I'm thoroughly curious about how they will do the living green wall. `Looking forward to seeing this project to completion. I wonder what will happen to the Storeyum site next door?

[entheosfog]

I wonder what will happen to the Storeyum site next door?

That's such a huge building...maybe a large retailer will move in?? Such a waste for it to be sitting empty.

[leftside]

The McDonalds rumour may well be true. The current location at 88 West Pender has a development permit application for a pub.

[SpongeG]

some pics taken by me october 28

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/spongeg/DSC02640.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/spongeg/DSC02632.jpg

[Stingray2004]

There is a new tenant for the old Woodward's building.

Nov, 13 2007 - 11:40 AM

VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - There is a new tenant for the old Woodward’s building on Vancouver’s downtown eastside thanks largely to the deep pockets of the BC government.
Provincial funding of 49-million dollars will allow SFU's school for the contemporary arts to move into the old Woodward’s building by late 2009.

SFU has also launched a 30 million dollar fundraising campaign to complement the big investment by the government.

The 125-thousand square foot facility will include a sound stage and a 250 seat cinema.

[djh]

There is a new tenant for the old Woodward's building.

Nov, 13 2007 - 11:40 AM

VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - There is a new tenant for the old Woodward’s building on Vancouver’s downtown eastside thanks largely to the deep pockets of the BC government.
Provincial funding of 49-million dollars will allow SFU's school for the contemporary arts to move into the old Woodward’s building by late 2009.

SFU has also launched a 30 million dollar fundraising campaign to complement the big investment by the government.

The 125-thousand square foot facility will include a sound stage and a 250 seat cinema.

^ Which bit of this is news? Practically since the announcement of the Woodwards project, SFU has been signed-up as a tenant.

[jlousa]

Nesters and London Drugs are both in the prebid stage for their tenant build outs. Nothing we didn't already know though, Nesters 1 floor and 17,000sqft, LD 2 floors and 33,xxxsqft. Both build outs to begin in 09 and ready to open Oct/09.

First of the sky units (2 floor, 19ft ceiling) at the w-43 is being built right now, clearly visible on the webcam. I think there are about 4 of them, one every 10 floors on opposite sides??

[SFUVancouver]

^ Which bit of this is news? Practically since the announcement of the Woodwards project, SFU has been signed-up as a tenant.

I think the news is that the funding has come through for SFU to expand. The school is likely financially overextended after its aggresive ramp-up of SFU Surrey. I have a hunch that there were some unpleasant conversations about the possibility of SFU backing out or delaying its entry into Woodwards If that had happened it could have frightened off some of the already-committed anchor tenants and cast the whole project in a poor light. I don't have any inside information or anything but that is my gut feeling.

[officedweller]

i.e. like what happened to Central City when TechBC was closed down and folded into SFU, pulled out of Central City and then re-emerged as SFU's Surrey campus in the same space planned for TechBC.

[mr.x]

There is a new tenant for the old Woodward's building.

Nov, 13 2007 - 11:40 AM

VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - There is a new tenant for the old Woodward’s building on Vancouver’s downtown eastside thanks largely to the deep pockets of the BC government.
Provincial funding of 49-million dollars will allow SFU's school for the contemporary arts to move into the old Woodward’s building by late 2009.

SFU has also launched a 30 million dollar fundraising campaign to complement the big investment by the government.

The 125-thousand square foot facility will include a sound stage and a 250 seat cinema.

for all its worth, i'm quite sure it's actually a 400-seat theatre.

[Delirium]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2227/1986354504_a84bdbdb01_b.jpg
from www.flickr.com

[excel]

Nice progess, should start seeing it rise quickly now.

[raggedy13]

Progress as of earlier today...

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/Dec%206%202007/101_0005.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/Dec%206%202007/101_0006.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/Dec%206%202007/101_0007.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/Dec%206%202007/101_0008.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/Dec%206%202007/101_0009.jpg

[mr.x]

wow, that was fast. didn't seem that too long ago that it was a dump being imploded. the facade is coming along nicely. thanks for the pics.

[Canadian Mind]

Well there wasnt much of a foundation was there?

[excel]

huge pit as i remember the whole complex.

[jlousa]

The pit was 2 floors deep but was the whole area (minus the heritage section only 1 floor), they did have to fill in 2 tunnels though, one of which they knew of, the other was a surprise, they also had to fill in under the sidewalks as they were previously excavated under. They have it planned to finish both the 32 and 43 towers at the same time, W-43 is now on the 13th floor (numbered 15) and the Abbott Tower is starting on the 3rd floor. The underground loading dock is amazing, haven't seen any underground loading docks in this city before this one.

[LeftCoaster]

There are certainly a few, the main pacific center loading bay comes to mind, as does the loading bay for 777 Dunsmuir and Oceanic Plaza. The loading bays for The Waterfront centre are also underground to an extent, although they are only under West Cordova which is a raised street so I dont know if that really counts.

[officedweller]

Both Pacific Centre and the Law Courts Complex have loading docks off the underground tunnel under Howe Street.

Or do you mean underground where the trucks drive into an elevator and are lowered down - like First Canadain Place in TO?

[Canadian Mind]

The pit was 2 floors deep but was the whole area (minus the heritage section only 1 floor), they did have to fill in 2 tunnels though, one of which they knew of, the other was a surprise, they also had to fill in under the sidewalks as they were previously excavated under. They have it planned to finish both the 32 and 43 towers at the same time, W-43 is now on the 13th floor (numbered 15) and the Abbott Tower is starting on the 3rd floor. The underground loading dock is amazing, haven't seen any underground loading docks in this city before this one.

tunnels? tunnels for what exactly?

Also, thinking about underground loading docks, why couldn't the whole downtown eventually be converted to a system where all the streets are pedestrian only. Underneath this giant sidewalk would be the tunnels for standard personal automotive traffic, and underneath that would be for commercial vehicles and buses. This would lead to a very friendly pedestrian atmosphere, aswell as reduce alot of noise and auto-pollution from the city-scape, would it not?

[SpongeG]

tunnels? tunnels for what exactly?

Also, thinking about underground loading docks, why couldn't the whole downtown eventually be converted to a system where all the streets are pedestrian only. Underneath this giant sidewalk would be the tunnels for standard personal automotive traffic, and underneath that would be for commercial vehicles and buses. This would lead to a very friendly pedestrian atmosphere, aswell as reduce alot of noise and auto-pollution from the city-scape, would it not?

everytime i spebnd 45 minutes trying to find a spot to park in the west end we say that - why can't they build underground streets with loads of parking :hell: :yes:

[nathan6969]

tunnels? tunnels for what exactly?

Also, thinking about underground loading docks, why couldn't the whole downtown eventually be converted to a system where all the streets are pedestrian only. Underneath this giant sidewalk would be the tunnels for standard personal automotive traffic, and underneath that would be for commercial vehicles and buses. This would lead to a very friendly pedestrian atmosphere, aswell as reduce alot of noise and auto-pollution from the city-scape, would it not?

Sounds like a plan for california, as for a place that rains 300 days a year, it'd make for some pretty empty streets.

[Canadian Mind]

Then why does Vancouver even give a shit about street life in the first place if people are afraid of rain?

[vanman]

Small update taken today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01424.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01360.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01358.jpg

[officedweller]

It's getting higher - I can see it from TD Tower emerging from behind the Dominion Building.

[raggedy13]

I'm interested to see just how much of an impact Woodwards will have on the skyline once topped off. Any guesses for when that will be?

[excel]

^it will forsure make a large impact compared to the buildings near and around it. I see they have risen the crane recently.

[worldwide]

an underground road network is possibly one of the worst ideas ive ever heard...

for the same reason pedestrian overpasses are a bad idea

at least from a urban planning perspective. mabey if i actually owned a car i would see things differently, but no

[jlousa]

The W-43 Tower will be topped out in late fall along with the Abbott tower.

On a somewhat related matter, the COV has met with an interested party regarding Storyeum, hopefully something comes to fruitation and we'll hear about it shortly.

[SFUVancouver]

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/2134/p1040903yv0.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) My photo, taken january 15th, 2008

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/9247/p1040898jb5.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) My photo, taken january 15th, 2008

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/1188/p1040928wj5.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) My photo, taken january 15th, 2008

[raggedy13]

The W-43 Tower will be topped out in late fall along with the Abbott tower.

On a somewhat related matter, the COV has met with an interested party regarding Storyeum, hopefully something comes to fruitation and we'll hear about it shortly.

Great news on both counts, thanks jlousa. :)

[Dylan Leblanc]

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/vancouver/2007/vch2007_693.jpg
http://www.globalairphotos.com/gallery/BC/Vancouver/Downtown

[officedweller]

BTW - driving north on Cambie Street (@Dunsmuir) you line up directly with W43 - and that tower's WIDE! It's going to have huge presence down that corridor.

[excel]

^Yea i noticed that angle as well. Its popin up in a bunch of places now.

[AKA-007]

I'm going to have to watch for that next time i'm at lonsdale quay. judging by where it's located along the train yards, it is placed quite a distance from harbour center (pretty much the end of the skyscraper skyline for the lonsdale view). gonna make another addition to the growing skyline.

[SFUVancouver]

Looking east from the pedestrian bridge at Granville and Cordova.
http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/3884/p1050354lm8.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) (My photo, taken February 4th, 2008)

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/6184/p1050356aj9.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) (My photo, taken February 4th, 2008)

I'm not digging the glass. Maybe I'll come around when they start adding the brick detailing but it just isn't happening for me right now.

[giallo]

Sweet update.

[vanman]

This thing already has such huge presence, can't wait til it tops out.

[SFUVancouver]

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/9123/woodwardsfebruary132008wk4.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) My photo, February 13th, 2008

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/6773/woodwardszoomfebruary13bk5.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) My photo, February 13th, 2008

[canucks23]

Is it just me, or is this tower going up REALLY fast!
BTW when was it that it first started rising from ground level?

[mr.x]

amazing pics, thx for posting. it appears that the main tower is already half done (according to the pictures); that's 20 of the 40 floors.

it'll be interesting to see how they'll incorporate all the greenery:
http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/7018/woodwards6uq4.png

[Jacques]

I think they started early spring, but in the last few weeks it seemed to go really up fast, they are at half point and on the third level of phase two of the second tower, and on the second level for the rest of the complex.
It going to be an awesome complex when finished

[giallo]

I love that view.

[jlousa]

There are now on floor 23 (level 21/40), so a little over halfway in height, they are climbing at exactly 1floor/week, The Abbott tower after the current floor will also start climbing at the same rate. Just a note the second tower isn't phase 2 as the whole project is techincally one phase.

[raggedy13]

Pics from yesterday...

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/2008%20February%2028/P2280231.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/2008%20February%2028/P2280230.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/2008%20February%2028/P2280262.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/2008%20February%2028/P2280280.jpg

[jlousa]

It's starting to make it's impact on the skyline.

[LeftCoaster]

Wow, looks thicker than I expected from that angle.

[excel]

Nice.

[SFUVancouver]

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4466/woodwardsatnightmarch12mc8.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) My photo, taken March 1st, 2008.

[mr.x]

^ great shot!!! thx!!!!


and here's the construction update i made for it.....hard to believe it's more than half its final height (if only it was 600 feet like one of the other proposals):
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/7134/39979902io9.jpg

[vansky]

this project will just sink into the skyline instead of making any change to it, though it is sticking up on the eastside. but i dont c how even shangri-la and ritz can change the skyline too much, as the overall shape and surrounding is just too dense and wide.

[dreambrother808]

this project will just sink into the skyline instead of making any change to it, though it is sticking up on the eastside. but i dont c how even shangri-la and ritz can change the skyline too much, as the overall shape and surrounding is just too dense and wide.

mmmm.... have you looked at the skyline lately or seen any photos? because it's quite obvious that the skyline has already changed dramatically b/c of shangri-la

[excel]

^clearly.

[jlousa]

That numbering scheme is off, they poured level 25 yesterday, there is no 4th floor and it looks like you miscounted.

[mr.x]

^ i screwed up the 10th floor. so, there are no 4th, 13th, 24th, and 34th floors?

[dreambrother808]

^ i screwed up the 10th floor. so, there are no 4th, 13th, 24th, and 34th floors?

this whole superstition about numbers thing is ridiculous and embarrassing, not just locally since i know it is a widespread practice but for the human race in general.
as adults in a secular, science-based world we can't build a floor and label it a number that naturally follows the one before? when are people going to get over those silly notions?
seriously, it's 2008, not 400 b.c.

[Yume-sama]

Well... when you're presumably looking to get foreign investors (particularly of the rich Asian variety), you have to play up to their superstitions. They're still quite big over there :)

[jlousa]

Just no 4 and 13 everything else will be there. Superstitions exist because there are people that beleive in them.

There's a quote from some famous scientest (can't remember who) when asked if he beleived in UFOs he said no, but he did beleive there are people that beleive in them.

[cc85]

this whole superstition about numbers thing is ridiculous and embarrassing, not just locally since i know it is a widespread practice but for the human race in general.
as adults in a secular, science-based world we can't build a floor and label it a number that naturally follows the one before? when are people going to get over those silly notions?
seriously, it's 2008, not 400 b.c.

some people are weak, they will die out.:banana:

[Coldrsx]

4 literally translates into "death" in chinese kids...and 13 is generally not used.


developers eat this up because all of a sudden you have higher floors to sell.

kinda like what trump did in NYC with his reduced height per floor deal

[zivan56]

LOL...it's actually hilarious that grown people are superstitious.
Anyways, superstition = cheaper stuff for me. I remember getting a dirt cheap ticket to London on 6/6/06.
Furthermore, it's not physically possible not to have those floors in a building which is higher than the number believed to be "bad," so how does this satisfy them?

[mr.x]

Superstition is very much part of the Chinese traditional culture, and I would imagine it's the same for Japanese and Korean cultures.

One old Chinese tradition is to burn money, food, property, etc. so that your deceased loved ones receive it. And if you hate somebody who had just died, you take a picture of them and start whacking it with a shoe.

[vansky]

mmmm.... have you looked at the skyline lately or seen any photos? because it's quite obvious that the skyline has already changed dramatically b/c of shangri-la

ya, it changed to a flat skyline with a stick. we can't call that change, we need real change that is masculine and revolutionary. and gordon cambell's giving it to us with all the skytrain projects, that's a real man right there. we need 10 woodwards and 5 shangri-la with 3 ritz in 10 years. we need to dump the whole eastside into the ocean all at once, and welcmoe the big capitalists, who are the real consumers that can pay a lot for drugs and women, to live in the new community, so to boost up our local economy. so, the new downtown eastside. so, change.

[agrant]

"...we need real change that is masculine..." Why masculine? What Whisky are you drinking? :cheers:

[zivan56]

Ok...so why not let the market take care of that then? Is is a superstitious person only building? If you don't want to live on a certain numbered floor, just don't buy an apartment on the floor. If we used all superstitions believed by everyone, we would be living in mud huts painted with exotic colours.

[cornholio]

I think Coldrsx hit the nail on the head. A floor numbered 40 is much easier to sell then a floor numbered 36. This alone gives the developers even more incentive to follow the superstitions, which by the way some people still believe in somewhat when their spending half a million dollars.
Funny thing about superstition's is that there have been a number of times since 2001 that I flew on 9-11, always seems like its the day with the cheapest fares and most available tickets left. Also when I saw the London bombings in 2004 I bought tickets to London the next day from Prague, wasnt as good a deal as I hoped but there were cheaper accommodations available that suddenly got freed up anyways and I did save a couple bucks on my airfare. All in all it was worth it.

[dreambrother808]

And if you hate somebody who had just died, you take a picture of them and start whacking it with a shoe.

Now that's bitter, lol. I kind of like it. It seems that westerners tend to either have a change of heart at the death of an enemy or pretend to so as not to appear unfeeling and inhumane.

[dreambrother808]

Funny thing about superstition's is that there have been a number of times since 2001 that I flew on 9-11, always seems like its the day with the cheapest fares and most available tickets left. Also when I saw the London bombings in 2004 I bought tickets to London the next day from Prague, wasnt as good a deal as I hoped but there were cheaper accommodations available that suddenly got freed up anyways and I did save a couple bucks on my airfare. All in all it was worth it.

That's not quite superstition though, since the behaviour is connected to something that did happen and could happen again.
One's chances are extremely low and therefore people are being overly cautious. Still, there is a genuine "risk" of sorts, however small.

[mr.x]

Now that's bitter, lol. I kind of like it. It seems that westerners tend to either have a change of heart at the death of an enemy or pretend to so as not to appear unfeeling and inhumane.

They also shout profanities and curses while doing it.:D

[Yume-sama]

The money burning thing has since evolved in to "paper" which represents money ;) As the Chinese culture evolves, they realize the value of money more :D

[vanman]

Took these today. Vancouver's newest skyline.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction/DSC01602.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction/DSC01603.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction/DSC01604.jpg

[excel]

thanks.

[hollywoodnorth]

does anyone know the average size of a floor of the Main W Tower? From where I live it seems to be as large as Shangri-La. which is pretty massive for vancouver Residential Standards

from wiki I get this on Shangri-la
Floor count 62[1]
Floor area 64,692 square metres (696,339 sq ft)[2]

so roughly about 10,000 sq ft per floor.


I wonder what W 42 is? jlousa? ;)

[jlousa]

It's over a 10K floorplate, the tower is acutally called W-43 ;) It is a larger floorplate then Shangri-la, there are 10 units per floor obviously the average unit is smaller then Shangri-las though, I'll look up the figure for the exact size of the floorplate.

Okay the sellable floorspace is just under 9K per floor, the floorplate (ie sellable+balconies+hallway/stairs/elevators) is 11K.

For the Abbott tower (32) (9units/floor) the sellable floorspace ~6200sqft and the floorplate ~8K still larger then most condo towers.

[officedweller]

Yeah, it definitely looks wider than Shangri-La from certain angles.
I think I recall them hitting a view cone, so they had to put the FSR in two towers instead of one.

[hollywoodnorth]

It's over a 10K floorplate, the tower is acutally called W-43 ;) It is a larger floorplate then Shangri-la, there are 10 units per floor obviously the average unit is smaller then Shangri-las though, I'll look up the figure for the exact size of the floorplate.

Okay the sellable floorspace is just under 9K per floor, the floorplate (ie sellable+balconies+hallway/stairs/elevators) is 11K.

For the Abbott tower (32) (9units/floor) the sellable floorspace ~6200sqft and the floorplate ~8K still larger then most condo towers.

thanks for the info! Ya W 43 looks massive from certain angles....namely from my home office looking out my window ;)

[SFUVancouver]

New neighbours
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/7604/p1050734hq5.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) My photo, taken March 11th, 2008