[187 Feet Tall]

The developer never adjusted prices up or down. Came out of the gate at around $1350/sq ft and to my understanding is still at that level.
Checked it out for a buyer the other day.
They start at around 1.35M for a 1433 sq ft 2 bed or 1100 sq ft 1 bed, so about 1000-1300/ft.
I think the avg of all remaining homes is likely someone around the mark you've mentioned.

[entheosfog]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/5953832370_35a6ec8da6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/entheos_fog/5953832370/)
199/365 - Hotel Georgia at Night (http://www.flickr.com/photos/entheos_fog/5953832370/) by entheos_fog (http://www.flickr.com/people/entheos_fog/), on Flickr

[Bankview]

Magnificent

[Built Form]

Some more pix of the hotel. There is over a million dollars worth of mostly Canadian art.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030466.jpg

Love the old phone 'look'
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030468.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030469.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030470.jpg

There actually is only 2 original features left, one the clock above the entrance and the terrazzo floor. Everything else is new including the mahogany panelling.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030473.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030471.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030475.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030476.jpg

Outside the ballroom.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030477.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030478.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030481.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030480.jpg

Pool above the porte cochere. The glass panels in the pool are not clear but you can see the water shimmer from below.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030489.jpg

A typical room not a suite which has a living room.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030490.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030497.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030494.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030501.jpg

Lobby bar.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030505.jpg
All pix by Built Form

[Built Form]

Forgot about these pix of Relections the hotels outdoor light meal bar area on the 4th floor. Probably the best urban view in the city will be open soon.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030498.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030499.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030500.jpg
All pix by Built Form

[TwoFace]

Also, the 1930's bar which is located downstairs in the Hotel will open sometimes in late October. Should seat just over 100 and may have live music.

[Prometheus]

A beautiful renovation! Looks top-notch and first-rate. Real class.

A Vancouver historical gem brought back to life.

[officedweller]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/5953832370_35a6ec8da6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/entheos_fog/5953832370/)
199/365 - Hotel Georgia at Night (http://www.flickr.com/photos/entheos_fog/5953832370/) by entheos_fog (http://www.flickr.com/people/entheos_fog/), on Flickr

The lights at the top of the hotel were on last night as well.

[entheosfog]

The lights at the top of the hotel were on last night as well.

Yup, I got a full-on shot of it but I just haven't gone through all the photos I took yet. It looks quite nice! Too bad more heritage buildings in the city weren't lit up at night (Dominion Building, I'm looking at YOU!)

[officedweller]

I've just seen it from above - no clue what it looks like from the street. I need to turn my head when I leave the building at night!

[entheosfog]

Here's a few more from last night:

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/3504/img3427q.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6949/img3417sa.jpg

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/3931/img3409u.jpg

I wonder how old those direction signs are, too bad only one of them is lit up at night...
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/5199/img3421oj.jpg

[Stingray2004]

The last two pages are great pics guys! And what a phenomenal restoration of the Georgia!

I wonder how old those direction signs are, too bad only one of them is lit up at night...
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/5199/img3421oj.jpg

I recall reading somewhere that this particular signage was placed there circa 1976/77 and was intended as a pilot project for future similar signage (directional pointing to places/landmarks) to be placed throughout the downtown core. Alas, the plan never came to fruition.

[officedweller]

Here's a few more from last night:

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/3504/img3427q.jpg


Awesome, thanks.
The lights at the top seem to create their own architecture (i.e. columns)
since the actual architecture up there is really just the windows and some cornice elements.

[whatnext]

Great photos! I see Travelocity has opening rates next week for around $192 a night.

PS Why does the Best Western Sands have the most expensive rates at $400+ a night?!

[SpongeG]

looks great - great pics

[entheosfog]

I recall reading somewhere that this particular signage was placed there circa 1976/77 and was intended as a pilot project for future similar signage (directional pointing to places/landmarks) to be placed throughout the downtown core. Alas, the plan never came to fruition.

Thanks for the info, they seem like they're from that era

[s211]

Can't post a pic, but I see a really nice balcony treatment being installed on the SE balconies of the building. Instead of the typical boxy end caps on balcony floors, they're installing some really nice white knife-edge bevels. A design treatment that would typically end up high on the list of the things that get deleted due to cost-cutting measures.

[officedweller]

The bevels have been going in for a while now.
They don't show up well on my pics because I'd need to zoom in a lot.

I'm wondering whether they'l also have them on the other balconies too.

[vanman]

Thanks for all the pics guys, the last few pages have been really awesome.

I drove past the newly restored Hotel Georgia tonight and I gotta say it looks like pure big city class. I was with my brother who does not normally give a flying f*$k about architecture and he agreed. It reminds me of what you'd see in Old Montreal where every historic building is well lit at night.

[mr.x]

Thanks for all the pics guys, the last few pages have been really awesome.

I drove past the newly restored Hotel Georgia tonight and I gotta say it looks like pure big city class. I was with my brother who does not normally give a flying f*$k about architecture and he agreed. It reminds of what you'd see in Old Montreal where every historic building is well lit at night.

Perhaps something we can hope for, for the DTES in 15-years?

[vanman]

^ I hope I live to see the day!

[Locked In]

My photo (https://picasaweb.google.com/dev.pics.1/Summer2011#5632305243910225442) (today). I'll get a better photo of the glazing at the top when it's not so gloomy out (whenever that happens...).

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hr7yHOtFPf8/Tin3xzHWviI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/JlmgBAvegCo/s1000/IMG-20110722-9.jpg
Full Size (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hr7yHOtFPf8/Tin3xzHWviI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/JlmgBAvegCo/IMG-20110722-9.jpg)

[ckkelley]

^
Beauty.

[Canadian Mind]

Nice. I actually think it's going to be my favourite once it's done.

[Locked In]

My BB photos (https://picasaweb.google.com/dev.pics.1/Summer2011#), from yesterday and today:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ur5dTyxmMiM/TjBk7dgeYqI/AAAAAAAAEaI/SUlB9SQtiBA/s1000/IMG-20110726-00011.jpg
Full Size (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ur5dTyxmMiM/TjBk7dgeYqI/AAAAAAAAEaI/SUlB9SQtiBA/IMG-20110726-00011.jpg)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-89B3L8T-Er0/TjBlUp_sRmI/AAAAAAAAEaM/4hh1jcB9Ih8/s1000/IMG-20110727-00013.jpg
Full Size (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-89B3L8T-Er0/TjBlUp_sRmI/AAAAAAAAEaM/4hh1jcB9Ih8/s512/IMG-20110727-00013.jpg)

[EdinVan]

Now imagine the look when people start hanging up their ugly draperies/blinds...

[trofirhen]

Now imagine the look when people start hanging up their ugly draperies/blinds...
:previous:
Yuk, never thought of that! It might just make for a royal messy-looking building façade.

[Spoolmak]

Oh it definitely will. I don't understand why Vancouver is the only city that uses clear glass to that extent. I understand that it's for the view or whatever, but it's really unfortunate how a sleek building always gets turned into a post hurricane disaster.

[trofirhen]

Oh it definitely will. I don't understand why Vancouver is the only city that uses clear glass to that extent. I understand that it's for the view or whatever, but it's really unfortunate how a sleek building always gets turned into a post hurricane disaster.
:previous:
Seriousy, maybe someone could request they install something else other than floppy curtains. (Venetian blinds ..... no ... I give up)

[Canadian Mind]

People said the same thing about Shangri-La. It isn't pretty, but it didn't destroy the building. Same thing will happen with The Georgia.

[BCPhil]

It will be nice when they start putting smart glass, electrochromic glass, or micro blinds in the windows in Condo towers. It could create an interesting effect with a random mix of clear and opaque windows on the side of a building instead of the messy looking blinds problem. (and save heating/cooling costs)

[Delirium]

some additional photos of the interior. they did a great job.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/5965813973_4cbb11580e_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/5966369076_27753c41b0_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5966368676_4f660438b2_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/5965812169_edefdd97cb_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5965811849_07368eb260_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/5965807031_c0f21b62e6_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/5966358474_ccf9e7c548_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/5965798607_8dccf3b3ff_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

[ckkelley]

Wow, thanks for the photos Delirium. I'm blown away at the finished product. They just did a terrific job.

[trofirhen]

Again, great photos. Thanks.
What I like about ths hotel is that they've modernized the rooms to the hilt, and added a super modern pool area, while the main plazas, open spaces, stair rails, and front desk area all retain their original period charm. It's authentic -and elegant. I don't think anybody anywhere could not call this a truly world-class hotel.

[Mininari]

Wow. I checked the old Hotel Georgia out as a possible venue for our wedding back in 2006... didn't think much of the place then, but this is just... wow.

[Phil McAvity]

some additional photos of the interior. they did a great job.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/5965813973_4cbb11580e_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/5966369076_27753c41b0_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5966368676_4f660438b2_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/5965812169_edefdd97cb_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5965811849_07368eb260_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/5965807031_c0f21b62e6_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/5966358474_ccf9e7c548_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/5965798607_8dccf3b3ff_b.jpg
photo by kineticfoto on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/siongphotography/

Geeze what a shithole! ;)

[cc85]

wow! impressive design.

[officedweller]

Pics by me today:

Curtain wall starting to go up on the east side peak.

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/2935/imgp0890x.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/560/imgp0890x.jpg/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

The plants on the roof are greening up.
You can make out the bevels at the edge of the corner balconies at the right side of the pic.

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/4952/imgp0891xf.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/688/imgp0891xf.jpg/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[metroXpress]

^ very nice shots officedweller!



Picture by me a few days ago

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6027237868_40b97a754f_b.jpg
Inside of Pacific Centre, what a cloudy day


http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/6027239748_e245fc5f10_b.jpg

[Locked In]

My photo (https://picasaweb.google.com/104250476900282174023/Summer2011#5639080384876402450), today - curtain wall almost finished on the crown:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tn7FI0vUQXc/TkIJu6BuVxI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/RAg-W3bVHd8/s1000/IMG-20110809-00020.jpg
Full Size (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tn7FI0vUQXc/TkIJu6BuVxI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/RAg-W3bVHd8/IMG-20110809-00020.jpg)

[vancityrox]

gorgeous building. really nice addition to the skyline and such a perfect spot for it to be seen. love it.

[officedweller]

My photo (https://picasaweb.google.com/104250476900282174023/Summer2011#5639080384876402450), today - curtain wall almost finished on the crown:


Yeah, the east side peak went up fast.
The south side is still misisng the bits at the top.

[Metro-One]

Loved this building from the start, and it really has made a great impact on the skyline coming from the East along Hastings and other such streets.

From the east Vancouver has really lost its table top look IMO.

[officedweller]

Posted by Hollywoodnorth in the historical photos thread.
The new sign has "Hotel" at the top.

[
[B][summer 1965]. Courthouse lawn, Georgia St. looking toward Granville St. (CBC/Alvin Armstrong)

http://www.cbc.ca/photos/galleries/114/114_1277_web_enlarged.jpg

pic c/o >> http://www.cbc.ca/photos/galleries/114/114_1277_web_enlarged.jpg

[bardak]

Video my friend made for the grand opening of the Hotel Georgia

http://geoffheith.com/index.php/2011/08/vancouver-videographer-rosewood-hotel-georgia-grand-opening/

[phesto]

Photo from Friday morning:
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/553/img7076b.jpg

by me
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33905699@N05/

Getting close now...

[Prometheus]

Photo from Friday morning:
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/553/img7076b.jpg

by me
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33905699@N05/


So, is that white square supposed to be an intentional part of the design? Because it has been like that for weeks now. To me it just looks like they forgot to install a panel of glass.

And what is the deal with that defective panel of glass five floors from the top (i.e., the one that looks foggy or like it had a bunch of white paint spilled on it)? There is also a similar defective panel of glass on the south face too. They both have been like that for many months now.

Here is a better vantage point of the defective panels of glass:

Pics by me today:

Curtain wall starting to go up on the east side peak.

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/2935/imgp0890x.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/560/imgp0890x.jpg/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[phesto]

^Probably just an issue with those pieces of glass; maybe during installation or delivery. If they had to go back to the supplier/manufacturer it could take some time.

[entheosfog]

Taken from the Dunsmuir viaduct on Sunday:

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1748/img4163p.jpg

[skymaster]

^^^The only thing ruining that shot is that stupid crane on the Shangri-la

[Jebby]

^^^The only thing ruining that shot is that stupid crane on the Shangri-la

so when is the crane going to be lowered?

[Spoolmak]

Never...:O

[Spoolmak]

So does that mean the georgia will also have a hideous window washing crane?

[jsbertram]

So does that mean the georgia will also have a hideous window washing crane?

Most tall buildings built recently will have their own window washing crane, especially if there are odd shapes & slopes to the outside. Some are highly automated to reduce the man-hours ( and $bucks$ ) needed to clean the exterior.

Fortunately most architects design the tops of their buildings to hide these cranes when they aren't needed.

A good example is the CIRA Centre in Philadelphia:
Now you see it at work:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/3487386109_06563f9576_z.jpg
(from flickr.com)

going into its nest:
http://pearsonaerialphotography.smugmug.com/Aerial-Photos/Aerial-Photos-of-Philadelphia/IMG4491/781581961_koiJ4-L-11.jpg
(from: pearsonaerialphotography.smugmug.com)

hidden:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Cira_Centre%2C_Philadelphia-north.JPG/450px-Cira_Centre%2C_Philadelphia-north.JPG
(from wikimedia.org)

[Spoolmak]

Very nice except that's not the case in Vancouver.

[phesto]

Not to derail this topic, but I am still a bit mystified by the window washing crane on Shangri-la in light of the fact that the developers own to of the 3 penthouse units (I believe one actually resides there), so it is odd that they elected to have a crane that stays out 24/7/365.

For Hotel Georgia, I hope the angled fins on the SE corner have precluded such a crane design, otherwise it would have to sit up pretty high and would be even more prominent that on Shangri-la...

[jlousa]

If the starta/hotel doesn't want to pay to put the crane away and put it back out then it doesn't get done regardless of what the penthouse owners might want.

[Prometheus]

Party on the new Hotel Georgia rooftop patio:

mds0YmFgICA

[skymaster]

Shouldn't this tower be labeled as T/O now?

[jlousa]

There is no topped out designation it'll remain u/c until it's substantially completed (occupancy granted).

[Chadillaccc]

Any updated pics?

[vanman]

An old but interesting article I don't think has been posted here yet:

Height of Luxury




By Cheryl Mah

With its exceptional blend of location and contemporary design, The Private Residences at Hotel Georgia is set to take luxury condo living to new heights.

Designed by IBI/HB Architects, the Private Residences is being built in the heart of downtown Vancouver at Georgia and Howe. The 48 storey tower will offer 156 condos and 60,000 square feet of office space. When completed, the 500 foot tower will reshape the skyline as one of the city’s tallest buildings.

“The Private Residences at Hotel Georgia will place the city’s favourite heritage hotel next door to a daring, contemporary highrise design,” says Bruce Langereis, president of Hotel Georgia Development Ltd.

The $480 million project, being developed in association with Delta Land Development Ltd., includes construction of a reinforced concrete commercial and residential tower along with the restoration of the historic Hotel Georgia. The iconic landmark will be transformed into a luxury boutique hotel with 154 guest rooms by Endall Elliot Associates.


Built in 1927, the hotel is one of the few remaining Georgian Revival structures on the West Coast. Protecting the hotel’s heritage elements was a critical part of the project, notes Langereis, and one of the first things to be done when Scott Construction broke ground in 2007.

The hotel’s exterior and interior will see a number of heritage feature elements reconstructed and restored to its original appearance. The 14 storey building has also undergone a multi-million dollar seismic upgrade which included the installation of heavy reinforcing rods 80 feet down.

“The seismic work was a lot more than what we anticipated,” says Langereis. “It’s been a complicated structural exercise.”

The parking structure immediately north of the hotel was demolished to make room for the new tower. The architects were challenged to fit multiple programs on the constrained site.



“The main difficulty on that project was the extremely small footprint and figuring out how to get an underground parkade and a 500 foot tower to fit on the tight site,” says Hilde Heyvaerts, an associate with IBI/HB Architects. “That was the first hurdle to overcome. It was tough but we made it work right down to the last inch.”

The project was a two year design process for IBI/HB Architects, who came on board in 2005. Redevelopment of the site has been in the works since 1997 with a previous design that was not built.

The small footprint also required an unconventional approach to the tower’s form and mass.

“If we had gone straight up it would have given us a small tower plate which is not very efficient,” explains Heyvaerts.

Instead, the tower flares out as it ascends, creating a distinctive sculptural form with canted facades. At night the high performance curtainwall will be lit up with LED light displays. The top of the building will be lit up with changing colour LEDs while the northwest corner will have a vertical column of LED lights to create a “soft trickling raindrop effect,” describes Heyvaerts.

The base of the tower is mainly terra cotta panels — a modern brick panelling system that visually ties in with the current brick of the hotel.

Taking advantage of the deep excavation for the eight level underground parkade (the deepest in Vancouver at 100 feet), a geothermal system was installed using a hybrid drilling rig to avoid any construction delays. Another green feature is the use of photovoltaic technology on the south west elevation to minimize solar heat gain. Commonly used in commercial applications, the solar cells will be a first for a Canadian residential building. Motorized blinds on that elevation will be powered by the solar power.

One of the key design features will be the vaulted porte-cochere accessed off Howe St. The 32 foot high structure, with lots of natural lighting, will act as a third and prominent entry into the hotel and tower, says Heyvaerts. To visually minimize the presence of the loading dock at the end of the porte-cochere, a series of water jets will act as a water fountain feature when the dock is not in use.

Linked to the hotel at level four, tower residents will have access to all of the services and amenities offered by the hotel. Amenities include a nightclub, a courtyard garden, the Hawksworth Restaurant and 24 hour concierge service. Within the tower, other amenities include a spa, fitness centre and an indoor swimming pool.

“We believe the five-star quality of the hotel will have a direct impact on the residential,” says Langereis.

The Private Residences, starting on the 14th floor, occupies the top 35 floors. The elegant and timeless interiors by Mitchell Freedland feature exceptional attention to detail. From hardwood flooring and custom shop finished millwork to the latest technology, nothing has been overlooked.

“The client was looking for something contemporary but transitional that would appeal to a wide range of buyers,” says Gerald Day, senior designer at Mitchell Freedland.

The residences offer 17 floor plans with suites ranging in size from 630 square feet to the 7,100 square foot penthouse. Oriented towards the views with floor-to-ceiling windows, the high end well appointed suites are designed to maximize the use of space. Suites will come with a large balcony or deck and are available in one, two and three bedroom sizes.

“There was a large variety of suite types requested and different floor plates which was challenging but once we got through that space planning process, material selection went smoothly,” recalls Day.

Oversized mahogany doors, limestone thresholds and millwork oak paneled entry ways lead into open plan entertainment sized living rooms and kitchens that transition to intimate bedrooms and spa style bathrooms.

The gourmet kitchens with custom cabinetry and stone countertops are fitted with premium appliances from Miele and Subzero. Bathrooms feature luxurious soaker tubs and separate glass showers with beautiful white marble cladding.

Two colour palettes are available for the suites — a dark smoky oak and a traditional light oak.

“Every piece and every corner in the suites have been well thought out,” says Day. “We’ve used some classic materials in terms of marble and stone and updated it with additional millwork features. It’s elegant and has a very open feeling.”

The tower is slated to complete in spring 2012 while the hotel is scheduled to complete for an opening for 2011. To be managed by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the fully restored hotel will be known as Rosewood Hotel Georgia.

“We’ve been stalwarts in terms of keeping the project on track and on budget,” says Langereis. “Trying to work through the financial storm was probably the biggest challenge — a test of commitment more than anything.”

The 2010 Winter Olympic Games in February will have some anticipated minor impacts on construction, notably the loss of use of Howe Street.

“We had to move some of our staging and our construction activities off of Howe Street,” reports Langereis. “It’ll cause a bit of a slowdown - moving trucks in and out without having Howe available but we’ve already built that into our schedule.”

To support Canadian athletes, the hotel was wrapped last October on two sides with the world’s largest Canadian flag. The vinyl building wrap measures 105 ft high x 210 ft long (larger than an Olympic hockey rink) and was installed over two days.

Langereis says with a laugh that the corner of Georgia and Howe Streets has been renamed “Canada Corner.”

“We’re really excited about the Olympics. We’re proud Canadians and we’re demonstrating that with one of the most visual patriotic gestures,” he says.
http://www.designquarterly.ca/2HeightofLuxury.aspx

[Prometheus]

Has this project run out of funding or something? The top of this building has been left unfinished for months now.

Also:

The top of the building will be lit up with changing colour LEDs while the northwest corner will have a vertical column of LED lights to create a “soft trickling raindrop effect,” describes Heyvaerts.

The northwest corner? Does that sound right?

[officedweller]

Northwest? That's odd. Isn't that just a clean glass curtain wall?
Any who the heck will see it from the northwest?
I thought it would have been in the south facing "gutter" so as not to annoy residents.

I haven't taken any recent shots because (1) I was on vacation for a couple of weeks and (2) when i got back - it looked the same!!

I'll take a shot when they finally clad the plywood sections at the top.

BTW - the green roof is growing in very nicely.

[Built Form]

This lawsuit is interesting. Maybe this might explain the delay in the crown curtain wall.
Maybe other contractors aren't getting pain? Just a thought.

Contractor sues Hotel Georgia developer
Thursday, 29 September 2011 09:06

An electrical contractor is suing Hotel Georgia Development Ltd. for $1,356,021 in unpaid electrical work on the Private Residences at Hotel Georgia.

Nightingale Electrical Ltd. filed suit against the development company September 23 in B.C. Supreme Court.

According to the statement of claim, Nightingale was contracted to supply and install the electrical scope of the improvement being constructed on the lands.

The claim states that Nightingale carried out the work, but that "in breach of its contract with the plaintiff, the defendant has refused or neglected to make payment, despite demand."

The suit alleges the sum has been due and owing since July 18, 2011.
Nightingale is also seeking a declaration that it is entitled to a claim of lien for $1,356,021 against:
--the lands, the improvements and the owners' interest in the improvements;
-- the material delivered or placed on the lands;
-- any security posted or funds paid into court in substitution for the lands; and
-- the holdback retained by the defendant.

None of the allegations has been proven in court.

Jenny Wagler
jwagler@biv.com

http://www.bivinteractive.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4825:contractor-sues-hotel-georgia-developer-&catid=14:daily-news&Itemid=46

[jlousa]

Don't know if there are deeper issues or not, but lawsuits during/after construction by trades are not uncommon and do not necessarily mean their is a more serious problem.

[Built Form]

^ Very true. After 11 years there are still unresolved lawsuits at my previous address.

[entheosfog]

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8700/img4749l.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1987/img4810u.jpg

I guess it's fitting that a Bentley is parked in here:
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/8725/img4809v.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2771/img4808m.jpg

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/8468/img4814t.jpg

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/5876/img4816vf.jpg

[Prometheus]

The failure to install the last few panels of glass on the crown is driving me nuts. For the love of God, finish the damn top already.

[Chadillaccc]

^^^ Agreed... it's seriously ridiculous! Can't wait to see it done though :D

[officedweller]

Ditto.

On that last pic, I thought it was TD Tower juxtaposed with Georgia, but then realized it wasn't...

[Coldrsx]

oh... i like that spandrel color shift... mmm

[mhy]

Guys... those aren't spandrel panels on the right hand side... they're photovoltaic panels (look closely). This building is far from perfect, but it just got a lot smarter in my books. =D I've always hated spandrel, since it's dishonest to pretend that a solid wall is glass... unless there is a useful function such as in this case.

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/5876/img4816vf.jpg

[hummingbird]

Hope the glass doesn't fall out like the condo tower in Toronto. They should check every single plate of glass on the suites and balconies. I can just picture someone standing on the top leaning on the glass and all of a sudden falling 40 stores to their demise below (hitting the bentley parked below). But hopefully this won't happen and they will all be inspected and good to go.

[LeftCoaster]

Well that would never happen because the glass isnt structural, if the glass blew out the railing would still be in tact.

Second the blowouts that are happening here are happening due to undetectable imperfections in the glass that actually occur in all glass. Inspecting them would do nothing, one of the only things to do, which many firms are doing here, is installing ugly plexyglass pieces in the glass panels to prevent blowout.

[Coldrsx]

^^obviously is not familiar with how they are produced/spec'd, designed, installed, and for what conditions/applications they are created for.

^^^ hey, well look at that. Very 'Solaire' battery park. Love it.

[officedweller]

Guys... those aren't spandrel panels on the right hand side... they're photovoltaic panels (look closely). This building is far from perfect, but it just got a lot smarter in my books. =D I've always hated spandrel, since it's dishonest to pretend that a solid wall is glass... unless there is a useful function such as in this case.

Very cool - I didn't know that. I guess that accounts for the variation in the shade of blue of those panels.

[vanlaw]

It looks like a couple of truckloads of glass are being hoisted to the top....and it looks like the hoisting is a slow go with the small crane.

[officedweller]

Looks like there's finally been some progress on the panels at the top.
There's also some new temporary mesh on the corner.

BlackBerry pic by me today.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2293/img2011102300264.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/171/img2011102300264.jpg/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[vanlaw]

It looks like Bel Cafe has opened within the past week or so. Looks nice.

[Built Form]

Hey OD you posted an older pic. The panels on the left have been up for a week or so.

[Built Form]

Just took this from my place.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/DSC_0002.jpg
pic by Built Form

[officedweller]

I'll take a pic tomorrow.
You just missed my office in that shot.

[204]

Just took this from my place.

Nice picture! Must be nice at sunset too.

[osirisboy]

ok why cant TD match the glass when they replace windows, come on thats bullshit

[vanlaw]

:previous:

TD doesn't own the building.

[osirisboy]

:previous:

TD doesn't own the building.

Youre right. I meant whoever does

[Built Form]

I'll take a pic tomorrow.
You just missed my office in that shot.

I wanted to give you some privacy OD. BTW you dress very well! ;)

[Built Form]

ok why cant TD match the glass when they replace windows, come on thats bullshit

That's the intended design by Cesar Pelli. I thought it was odd too at first.

[Phil McAvity]

ok why cant TD match the glass when they replace windows, come on thats bullshit

Good question.

It makes me wonder why anyone lives in Vancouver these days.

[officedweller]

I think he's talking about the one oddball panel on the left, rather than the colour blocking.
The windows are single pane glass and there' UV film applied to the inside of the glass - and that film is periodically replaced as it ages, dries and cracks. So it could be the film applied to the inside of the window.

Tried to take a shot with the BlackBerry today - not enogh light for a clear shot - will bring the camera in tomorrow.

[officedweller]

BlackBerry pic by me from today (forgot the camera):

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/5479/img2011111000269.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/849/img2011111000269.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[Denscity]

One more panel! Or is that deliberate? Pretty much done. This should be in the national section as well somewhere? :tup:

[officedweller]

Couple more panels on the edges of those fins plus a few windows on the east side.

[Yume-sama]

Looking good!

[giallo]

Yeah. That's a handsome tower.

[Spoolmak]

It would look great with a logo on top...

[Locked In]

My photo (https://picasaweb.google.com/104250476900282174023/Summer2011), today:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8my_tpmTvaw/Tr26hS9WzTI/AAAAAAAAEek/_eIuX2iKLLY/s800/IMG-20111111-00011.jpg

[Chadillaccc]

Is there an updated ETA on when the cladding will be completed?

[trofirhen]

:previous::previous::previous:

Beautiful photo, not only the building, but the angle and light as well.