[vanman]

I think we need a general thread for Suburban updates.

The main arch of the pedestrian bridge linking Centerpoint to Metrotown is up. I was surprised to see that it's made of wood.

[jlousa]

Riverview is getting a $4.5Million dollar update. Apparently there are more updates in the works. Should be interesting to watch especially with redevelopment plans also in the works.

Bby
Byrnepark and Southpoint
4 storeys, 26,550M2, 7 acres, parking for 491 cars, 325 townhouses, normally I don't mention projects of this height, but this one seems like a rather large project that some people would like to hear about.

[SpongeG]

there look to be some nice projects coming for abbotsford

[hollywoodnorth]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/09/26/bc-fire.html

A massive fire broke out in a condominium complex near the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, B.C., late Wednesday afternoon.

The complex, which is on Sherbrooke Street behind the hospital, was under construction. Known as the Copperstone, it's made up of three buildings containing 230 units.

A massive fire broke out near a hospital on Sherbrooke Street in New Westminster, B.C., late Wednesday afternoon.
(CBC) Firefighters from both New Westminster and Burnaby are on the scene. A plume of smoke and flames can be seen from some distance.

Fire officials said there are no reports of any injuries at this point and the three-alarm blaze doesn't pose a danger to nearby structures.

Hospital officials said patients are in no immediate danger but the air intakes have been shut down to avoid smoke getting into the hospital. The hospital helipad is not being used for now.

The cause of the fire is not known at this point.

[SFUVancouver]

(My photo, taken September 26th, 2007)
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6784/p1040346ck0.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/)

I snapped this a few minutes past 6 this evening while waiting for the train home.

Also, here is the progress of the Lake City Business Centre. They are forming the sixth and final floor, plus mechanical cap, and they took delivery of large steel beams today. It is likely that the first floor of this 100k sq ft class A office building will begin being framed tomorrow.

(My photo, taken September 26th, 2007)
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/7449/p1040345wj8.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/)

[vanman]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/09/26/bc-fire.html

A massive fire broke out in a condominium complex near the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, B.C., late Wednesday afternoon.

The complex, which is on Sherbrooke Street behind the hospital, was under construction. Known as the Copperstone, it's made up of three buildings containing 230 units.

A massive fire broke out near a hospital on Sherbrooke Street in New Westminster, B.C., late Wednesday afternoon.
(CBC) Firefighters from both New Westminster and Burnaby are on the scene. A plume of smoke and flames can be seen from some distance.

Fire officials said there are no reports of any injuries at this point and the three-alarm blaze doesn't pose a danger to nearby structures.

Hospital officials said patients are in no immediate danger but the air intakes have been shut down to avoid smoke getting into the hospital. The hospital helipad is not being used for now.

The cause of the fire is not known at this point.

That's a shame. Those buildings were really nice, they looked straight out of Whistler.

[SFUVancouver]

I took the long way home today and stopped by the fire-damaged building to snapped this photo.

(My photo, taken September 27th, 2007)
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/3852/p1040368vy2.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/)


Thank goodness for that cement block party wall. You can see exactly where the fire was stopped. The wreckage was still smoldering and the fire fighters were dousing it wish two hoses.

[danby]

Looks almost as bad as the past fires in Edmonton the past couple months.. Something needs to be done about the building code NOW:hell:

[SpongeG]

they said the fire doors were not installed so some damage was done to the other side of the firewall

[mr.x]

Huge soccer complex proposed at Tynehead Regional Park
Council to pursue idea with Metro Vancouver

Glenda Luymes, The Province
Published: Friday, September 28, 2007

Surrey wants to build a soccer sports complex in Tynehead Regional Park.

The idea, raised at last week's council meeting, may be a long shot for the green space, which has been the subject of many grand proposals over the years, but "you don't know unless you try," said Coun. Tom Gill.

Citing the high demand for soccer fields across the region, Gill broached the idea of a large sports complex, complete with six to eight soccer fields, located on the eastern edge of the 120-hectare park.

Council passed a motion to pursue the idea with the Metro Vancouver parks committee next month.

"I don't know of any other concept like this in the Lower Mainland," said Gill. "This would be significant for the whole region.

"I know Kamloops is called the tournament capital of B.C., but I say let's take that title."

Metro Vancouver, the former Greater Vancouver Regional District, has considered developing Tynehead Regional Park as an activity area for residents in the past.

The large park, near 96th Avenue and 168th Street, has been the subject of proposals for golf courses, a zoo and at one time, the relocation of the Pacific National Exhibition.

But Coun. Bob Bose said he's not sure Metro Vancouver will allow the land to be used for a sports complex.

"I don't think I've ever seen the regional district assume responsibility for this type of facility in the past," he said.

B.C. Soccer Association competition chairman Don Dancey said it's difficult to find fields to host soccer competitions because "there aren't enough soccer fields to go around."

gluymes@png.canwest.com


© The Vancouver Province 2007

[SpongeG]

a sign went up today along the lougheed for Luxe

liveatluxe.com

two towers and townhomes kitty corner to the east from brentwood gate

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/spongeg/luxe.jpg

[vanman]

^Wow, nice. Looks different than the usual towers going up in Brentwood.

[SpongeG]

there is a permit sign at a strip mall across from infinity that just went up - never got a chance to read what it says but its just gone up in the last couple of weeks

maybe they will doze it? and replace with towers atop retail?

[Volksboi]

there is a permit sign at a strip mall across from infinity that just went up - never got a chance to read what it says but its just gone up in the last couple of weeks

maybe they will doze it? and replace with towers atop retail?

Hey From what I saw when I drove by the other day they are applying for higher density zoning.

[hollywoodnorth]

a sign went up today along the lougheed for Luxe

liveatluxe.com

two towers and townhomes kitty corner to the east from brentwood gate

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/spongeg/luxe.jpg


wow nice one :)

[fever]

a sign went up today along the lougheed for Luxe

liveatluxe.com

two towers and townhomes kitty corner to the east from brentwood gate

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/spongeg/luxe.jpg

The lighting's the most original thing about this one. It's a bit fat although the hat is a little interesting

[David]

i bet it won't look anything like the rendering when it is actually built.. :p

[SpongeG]

Open house to offer info on PoCo project

Oct. 10 meeting will showcase road changes and other aspects of plans for the Coast Meridian overpass


More “fine-tuned” drawings of what a Port Coquitlam road will look like once the Coast Meridian overpass is built can be seen at an open house next month.

At the Oct. 10 event, the city will present concepts of acoustic walls to reduce noise for homes along Coast Meridian Road; designs for a new park on the road’s west side; and landscaping plans for the medians, boulevards and private properties.

The open house will be held at Terry Fox secondary (1260 Riverwood Gate) from 6 to 8 p.m.; city staff and consultants will be on hand to respond to questions.

Dave Currie, PoCo’s transportation manager, said the aim is to present more refined drawings based on feedback from last open house May 31 at the school.

The open house will come about a week before the tender to build the four-lane, $98.73 million viaduct closes for the three shortlisted bidders: Bilfinger Berger, Peter Kiewet Sons Co. and SNC Lavalin. City council is expect to make its decision in mid-November, with construction due to start early next year.

TransLink is paying $60 million towards the cost of the overpass while PoCo is paying $38.73 million through development cost charges and from its major transportation capital reserve and land sale revenue.

Other PoCo news:

TOWNHOMES PROPOSED


A chunk of industrial land straddling the Coquitlam/Port Coquitlam may be lost for more townhouses.

Mosaic Avenue Developments wants to build 134 units in both cities off Kingsway Avenue, near the CP Rail tracks and Maple Creek and north of the Riverbend sub-division.

City staff have asked Mosaic to host a consultation meeting to gauge the public’s reaction to the bid; a meeting will likely be held in mid-October.

According to a report that went before PoCo’s community and economic development committee (CEDC) this week, Mosaic has applied to construct 90 three-storey townhomes on 3.9 acres at 835 Westwood St., in Coquitlam, and 44 units at 2643-2669 Bedford St., in PoCo.

The land is currently zoned industrial; however, PoCo’s official community plan calls for apartments on one side. Mosaic’s application involves changing the OCP to townhouse.

Earlier this month, Coquitlam city council voted 8-1 to allow the public consultation to proceed (Coun. Richard Stewart opposed), though Coun. Brent Asmundson voiced concern about the potential loss of industrial land.

Meanwhile, Mosaic Homes got a development permit from CEDC this week to build 137 townhomes near the Pickton farm on Dominion Avenue.

The company still has to obtain a building permit.

http://www.tricitynews.com/

[SpongeG]

Burnaby nixes big North Road plans

Brooke Larsen
Burnaby Now


Wednesday, October 03, 2007


Burnaby councillors want to halt a Coquitlam plan to add condos and shops to North Road.

On Monday, Burnaby council asked Coquitlam to nix official community plan changes to 225 North Rd., a 10.8-hectare (27-acre) site.

Once used by Crane Plumbing, the site is now home to warehouses and other light industry.

Because it calls for high-density housing, the change would allow roughly 2,000 units -- an estimated 4,500 to 5,000 people -- to be added to the site, a Burnaby city staff report says. It would also allow retail, office and light industrial uses.

"I'm a little dazed and confused that Coquitlam is seriously considering this," Coun. Nick Volkow said at the meeting.

In August, the City of Coquitlam asked for Burnaby's feedback on the plans, which have not yet received approval from Coquitlam council.

The Burnaby report notes the site is not included in regional or town centre plans for residential growth, stating it is "disconnected from the current urban centre being (developed) by Burnaby and Coquitlam" north of the Trans-Canada Highway.

"The site is strongly associated with the park and open-space system established by Burnaby and New Westminster in the area," the report adds.

Volkow said he was surprised that Coquitlam was considering redeveloping the site.

"I hope that the council in Coquitlam seriously entertains this report," he added.

Coquitlam Mayor Maxine Wilson did not immediately return phone calls Tuesday.

The site is bounded to the northeast by a CN Rail line, the SkyTrain Millennium Line and Highway 1. To the south, it is bounded by the Brunette River near New Westminster, and to the west by the Brunette River Conservation Area in Burnaby.

Burnaby council recently supported Coquitlam in an application to increase building height and density at 319 North Rd.

But Burnaby staff also raised concerns about the impact of the change on traffic and called for a traffic study on North Road.

http://www.canada.com/coquitlamnow/news/story.html?id=a38eb797-c7bc-49ea-85bf-98f2dbb249be&k=68783

[SpongeG]

New project turns into sellout

Surrey Now


Tuesday, October 02, 2007


Talk about a hot real estate market.

Fuse, a 33-flat and 52-townhouse complex in Surrey Central's new Upper University District, sold out in a matter of hours.

Buyers snapped up the units at prices ranging from $129,000 for studio flats to $398,000 for the larger four-bedroom town homes.

"We are thrilled by the response to Fuse but not surprised," says developer Rav Hayer, president of Hayer Homes.

"Surrey Central is a real up-and-coming neighbourhood. When we started searching the Lower Mainland for a new development site, nothing compared to this in terms of cultural and civic amenities, nearby shopping and restaurants and easy access to public transit. The future of Greater Vancouver is right here."

Fuse, located near the corner of Old Yale Road and 133rd Street, is just steps from Central City SkyTrain station and a half-hour ride from Vancouver, allowing residents to ditch their cars.

Mark Belling, president of Fifth Avenue Real Estate, the project marketers, says his company limited purchases to two homes per customer to avoid bulk buying by real estate speculators.

http://www.canada.com/surreynow/news/story.html?id=5860b944-db55-4683-80fc-d49bf096f467&k=37922

[fever]

Surrey Central's new Upper University District

i guess at least they didn't name it UnDi

[SpongeG]

^^^ lol

i just stumbled across this rendering for The Regency in Cqoutilam - the coq centre area

http://pacificmetropolis.typepad.com/./photos/uncategorized/2007/03/13/coquitlam_the_regency.jpg

[SFUVancouver]

^ Oh man is that ever ugly. Bottom. Of. The. Barrel.

[hollywoodnorth]

i guess at least they didn't name it UnDi

LOL well "Surrey Central's new Upper University District" sounds even more retarded ;)

jesus who is naming parts of the city these days.....christ. :hell: sad state of affairs

[vanman]

^ It will always be Whalley in my mind.

[hollywoodnorth]

^ I prefer the term Cracktown.....but ya Whalley it is ;)

[vanman]

^It's really not that bad anymore. It's no worse than say downtown New West or parts of East Van (excluding DE). Apparantly alot of the cracktowness has moved along to the Newton area. I agree though that it's hard to shake first impressions. I was first exposed to it 4 or 5 years ago and back then it was full fledged cracktown for sure.

[officedweller]

I'm not sure what Burnaby is concerned about (other than traffic) - the Crane Canada site backs onto the area where there will be huge transit-oriented development - at Braid Skytrain Station. In this Global Air Photo, the crane site is just above the big warehouse at Braid Skytrain Station. The area could be easily linked by a road, driveway or walking paths. As for high density next to parks, Burnaby's own Edmonds area is an example of that.

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/new_westminster/2005/nwh2005_026.jpg

Just found these pics at the Civitas Design wesbite for the Crane Canada site.
They know that the site is close to Braid Skytrain Station -
the first pic shows the catchment areas for Lougheed Station and Braid Station - the TCH divides the two catchment areas.

http://www.civitasdesign.com/projects/craneoverall.jpg

http://www.civitasdesign.com/projects/craneplan.jpg

[vanman]

^ Wow, nice find. I agree 100% that Burnaby is making a big deal out of nothing.

_________


I took a crapload of construction pics today. I'll post the builidngs that have already topped out and therefore don't deserve their own threads here, as well as misc. stuff.

New Westminster:

Quantum
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01234.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01235.jpg

The Point
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01236.jpg

I got a pic of what is going up at the former London Drugs site, it's not very exciting and a waste of space imo.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01226.jpg

Burnaby

Central Park office tower
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01222.jpg

A quick drive by of Highgate Village .
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01245.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01249.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01248.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01247.jpg
West topped out.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01250.jpg

Park360
I really don't like the combination of spandrels and painted concrete, pick one or the other.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01252.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01251.jpg

[vanman]

Also, does anybody know what is going on with Metrotown's facade?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01214.jpg

[East Van]

is whats shown along North road on the north/south side of Lougheed in the works ?

[squeezied]

Park360
I really don't like the combination of spandrels and painted concrete, pick one or the other.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01252.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01251.jpg

i actually think it looks nice, esp the last pic, dunno if it's the combination

[fever]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01235.jpg

Best of the bunch, by far. I like the light brick

[giallo]

^^^ lol

i just stumbled across this rendering for The Regency in Cqoutilam - the coq centre area

http://pacificmetropolis.typepad.com/./photos/uncategorized/2007/03/13/coquitlam_the_regency.jpg

This one is so Shanghai. Especially with the centered circle.

Thanks for all the pictures, Vanman.

[SFUVancouver]

Lake City Centre - 100k sqft office building at the Production Way-SFU SkyTrain station

(My photo, taken October 4th, 2007)
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/12/lakecitywayconstructionnq7.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/)

I snapped this picture today of the building's progress. The steel is coming along. Nothing spectacular but it's a cool 100,000 square feet of Class A office space practically on top of a SkyTrain station.

[SFUVancouver]

(My photo, taken October 4th, 2007)
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/2846/assc2greenwallinstallatsi0.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/)

An interesting panelized green wall system is being used for one of the walls of the new ASSC (Arts and Social Science Complex) 2 building. I wonder if this system will be used for the W43 Woodwards building? ASSC 1 & 2 were designed by architect Peter Busby of Busby, Perkins and Will. It was built to LEED GOLD status and I believe the school is pursing actual LEED accreditation. If you want to see more of the building check out my SFU new building photo thread (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=3067944#post3067944).

[achu]

Also, does anybody know what is going on with Metrotown's facade?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/DSC01214.jpg

they're replacing the stucco.

[SFUVancouver]

^ Leaky Mall Syndrome?

A pox on CMHC!

One of the most satisfying moments for me in recent memory was when I asked someone from CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) about their new "Super E / R2000 Home" spec during a presentation at the World Urban Forum in Vancouver in 2006. In a room full of housing policy experts and contractors I asked the CMHC presenter: how long were these new building specs tested for in the wet West Coast climate -bearing in mind the abhorrent CMHC failure to ensure that its previous national building code would function correctly in our climate, an oversight that caused the leaky condo scandal and cost homeowners billions of dollars to repair water and mold damage damage to their built-to-code homes and apartments.

The guy sort of mumbled that CMHC had learned a lot from their experience and it was unfortunate. To answer my question, the individual components of the new Super E homes have been testing a variety of climates and been have found to be a marked improvement over past iterations of the R2000 home spec.

For the uninitiated, in the mid 1970s CMHC (Canada's national housing policy agency) needed to respond to the global energy crisis initiated by the OPEC cartel and set about developing a new national building code for residential construction that would significantly increase mandatory insulation levels and lower home heating costs. They went about this by making homes virtually airtight and doubling or tripling the minimum insulation factor ("R" value) of a dwelling's exterior walls. Such a home was ideal for the climate in Central and Eastern Canada and the Prairies, all places that experience very cold snowy winters and require heating in winter. CMHC did not consider the temperate West Coast climate with its wet winters, general lack of snow, and very moist air. This was a grievous oversight.

In the lower mainland the combination of a temperate climate's mild, wet winters and a national residential building code that emphasized an air-tight building envelope led to endemic moisture problems in dwellings built to the new code. Moisture became trapped in walls and window frames, resulting in mold. Many wood frame buildings structurally deteriorated over time as chronic water damage weakened walls, floors, and balconies. The indoor growth of mold, especially types of poisonous black mold, made people sick when they inhaled airborne mold spores. Prolonged exposure led to inexplicable illness and powerful, debilitating seasonal allergic reactions among otherwise healthy individuals, and a general deterioration of the health of some seniors or otherwise infirm people.

It took quite some time to identify the existence and severity of the mold problem because in most cases it was within the walls and not readily visible. In many cases structural damage or major mold outbreaks was remedied by rebuilding the affected area to the original condition when it was built while not addressing the underlying design problems that created the problem. In some cases major repairs happened again and again, each time resulting in repairs that would doom the building to further problems. It was a vicious cycle and CMHC squarely denied any culpability, nor would it underwright any repair costs incurred to bring any affected leaky dwellings up to the revised national building codes. It finally took a multi-billion dollar class action lawsuit to compel CMHC to acknowledge that its building code was at fault and that the water damage and mold experienced by tens and tens of thousands of dwellings, many repaired again and again to the proper building code, could not solely be the result of faulty workmanship or poor architectural design. Some definitely was, but the code was just plain wrong for our climate.

The approximate span of years that the faulty building code was employed is 1977 - 1997. For thirty years CMHC was ignorant or willfully ignorant of its error and it financially ruined thousands and has made more than a quarter century of building stock highly suspect, not to mention how many people got sick or even died from being exposed to poisonous black mold.

In my Mother's housing co-op the repairs cost about $1.6 million and our townhouse alone had about $150,000 of repairs, including a full building envelope replacement, new roofs, and new windows. Fortunately the Co-Op had a healthy replacement reserve and an excellent credit rating and was able to get a good mortgage to fund the repair costs which could then be amortized over a reasonably short repayment period. This meant that individual co-op members weren't hit with an immediate upfront assessment for $50,000, $100,000, or more like in most condos. We were smart too and initiated repairs as soon as the first signs of mold were found. By opting for the most expensive option of a building envelope replacement, essentially taking the building down to its wood frame structure and building a new, climate-correct wall and building envelope system, the co-op exited the cycle of only doing the minimum necessary repairs and later having the same problem reoccur. We essentially rebuilt the co-op while we still lived there to better-than-code levels to fix the problem once and for all. If it was done on an ad hoc basis or only to the level that the co-op members could afford in the short run, we could have found ourselves back at square one in a decade's time.

So, with all of that in mind, a new CHMC update of the deeply flawed R2000 residential building code, rebranded as the "Super E Home" standard naturally makes me suspicious. They upped the insulation levels again, which is perfectly fine, and aimed to make the building completely airtight this time. To avoid the "unpleasantness" of the west coast expirences the homes are now designed around a computer-controlled humidifier/dehumidifier ventilation unit that will bring in fresh air from the outdoors, filter it, adjust the humidity levels, and then distribute it throughout the house through air ducts and pull exhaust air out to discharge it outdoors. It promises to further reduce home heating costs, deliver fresh filtered air evenly throughout the house, and lower the home's energy needs by specifying larger windows to supply natural light. All of which is great, but if it hasn't been extensively tested as a complete design, and not just component parts, in the wet west coast climate then I will be extremely wary of the Super E Home building spec.

[Bert]

This one is so Shanghai. Especially with the centered circle.I had the same first thoughts, what with being in Shanghai at the moment. And, among all the sites I use, it's SSP that loads torturously slow for me here. It took me a good 20 minutes to send this message!

[vanman]

they're replacing the stucco.

Ridiculous, that part of the mall is max ten years old. I noticed a while back that the exterior of the mall was looking kind of algaefied and sure enough. On the positive side I'm sure Ivanhoe Cambridge has more than enough money to deal with the situation.

[SpongeG]

the whole outside needs a renovation anyway

the older metrotown centre just looks old and aged and out of sync with its newer part

[vanman]

^True. I'm sure it will be awhile before anything happens to the south side facing the skytrain station, the owners wil probably wait for the redevelopment of Metrototown station and once the bus depot moves across the street I 'm sure they'll jump at the chance to expand the mall outwards toward the street.

[murman]

^ I prefer the term Cracktown.....but ya Whalley it is ;)

What, has "New Edmonton" already been taken?

[giallo]

I had the same first thoughts, what with being in Shanghai at the moment. And, among all the sites I use, it's SSP that loads torturously slow for me here. It took me a good 20 minutes to send this message!

Yeah, loading SSP has been a major pain for me in the last few months.

What are you doing in Shanghai?

[SpongeG]

full page ads in the freebie papers tuesday show the relocation of the new west station bus loop - it says they will be that way for the next 2-3 years due to construction...

looks like the demo of the old salvation army and that block is set to go ahead soon?

[Bert]

Yeah, loading SSP has been a major pain for me in the last few months.

What are you doing in Shanghai?
Just some family stuff & tourism. Interesting how quickly things change since I was last here here only a couple years ago. Not just construction- & infrastructure-wise either, but I see lots of people having pets (small dogs) nowadays, there are noticeably more cars, and some pretty crazy price inflation on a lot of items (many now approaching/equalling Canadian prices).

[Rusty Gull]

Top architect designs library
Munisha Tumato, North Shore News
Published: Friday, October 12, 2007

The new City of North Vancouver library has been designed by a world-renowned Canadian architect whose portfolio includes Jerusalem's city hall and the Center for Performing Art in Washington, D.C. "He's a visionary. We're delighted to have Jack Diamond on board," said Coun. Barbara Perrault. The famed architect's signature design elements include functional but elegant lines and floating staircases, which will be incorporated in the library's design, as will Diamond's technique of "bringing the outside in," says Perrault.

The library to be sited on what is now the north side of the 100-block of West 14th Street will be made largely of glass, not unlike the recently completed, Diamond-designed Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto.
"It really is like a lantern," said Diamond of his vision for the building. "In the long evenings when it's dark, this building will be glowing."

The design will also feature "symbolic aspects that are part of the region," said Diamond. Indigenous wood will be incorporated -- in this case, pieces of Douglas fir will be used for the library's ceiling -- for a distinctly West Coast feel.
The new library will be three times larger than the existing space, says Perrault and will have three levels. A balcony on the southwest corner of the third floor will look out over Burrard Inlet towards the Lions Gate Bridge. The ground level will feature a secret garden for children. The other component, says Perrault, will be an enormous amount of technology including wireless computers throughout, and a multimedia room.

Funding for the new library came from the sale of land to developers on the east and west ends of the block to the south. The new library is slated to open in the fall of 2008. Despite its celebrated design, Diamond hopes that North Vancouverites will see the library as a community gathering spot. "The library has got to be seen as a community centre and so it's got to feel very accessible and friendly. It should be a beacon in the civic centre complex."

[hollywoodnorth]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/10/16/bcsquamishtowers.html

Squamish towers would hide famous climbing area, critics complain
Proposed highrises would block view of Stawamus Chief rock face from downtown, some say


The District of Squamish will vote Tuesday night on a developer's proposal to build three highrise towers that critics say will block the view of the Stawamus Chief rock face — one of North America's most famous rock climbing areas.

Pridham Developments is seeking conditional approval to build a housing development for 3,500 people on the old Interfor mill site, about 50 kilometres north of Vancouver between downtown Squamish and the Stawamus Chief Mountain.

The proposal for the 21-hectare site includes a marina and three condominium towers, the highest spanning 20 storeys. The towers would be the three tallest buildings in town.

Peter Harker, a spokesman for the Squamish Downtown Neighbourhood Association, said Monday that the largest tower would obstruct the view of the Stawamus Chief's towering granite rock face, a local landmark.

"The Chief is the second biggest granitic feature in the world and people come from all over the world to climb it," Harker said on Monday.

"The development isn't the problem. It's the towers. It's that 20-storey tower where clearly there hasn't been any community process. The community's never been asked about it," said Hawker.

Mayor says public meetings held; 28 groups consulted
The mayor of Squamish, Ian Sutherland, said the accusation was not true. He said the developer has held more public meetings than the law requires, adding that the meetings have been well attended. He also pointed out that there is a final public hearing Tuesday evening before council votes on the proposal.

Sutherland said the proposal has supporters in the community.

"There are people who want to sell homes, and downsize to a place like this," said Sutherland.

Pridham Development also e-mailed CBC News, writing the company has consulted about the proposal with 28 different groups ranging from B.C.'s Ministry of Transportation to the local watershed society.

[hollywoodnorth]

and here is some more on the 3 tower proposal.....which looks to get passed >>

http://www.district.squamish.bc.ca/_pvwadc582/ocp/waterfront_landing.aspx

very cool rendering here on page 12 >> http://squamish.ca/files/PDF/waterfront_landing/Tower_Analysis.pdf

of all 3 towers and the whole project......someone wanna grab that and upload it? Mr. X?

[bils]

sounds like it's time for some squamish view cones! :haha:

[cc85]

rich coleman is aggressively pursuing land in Surrey for social housing.

[Rusty Gull]

400-foot waterfront tower proposed
Lower Lonsdale plan includes art gallery, floating swimming pool

Heidi Castle, North Shore News
Published: Wednesday, October 17, 2007

A 36-storey residential tower inspired by the Princess Louise, a 1921 luxury passenger liner built in North Vancouver's Wallace Shipyard's, is the signature piece in a new development proposal for the foot of Lower Lonsdale.

If approved, the city will enjoy an A-list of public amenities in exchange for a density transfer from public to private land. Besides a LEED silver-certified residential and commercial tower hooked up to the Lonsdale Energy Corporation's geothermal heating grid, those amenities include a new, prominent, waterfront home for Presentation House Gallery, a public floating swimming pool built on a new public wharf extending into the harbour south of Lonsdale Avenue, a unified city seawall walk and public art opportunities. Long-range plans call for a new home for the Whistler Rocky Mountaineer, a repositioned SeaBus terminus and bus loop, and an east-west route for the city's historic streetcar 153.

The area under consideration includes land held by Millennium Developments and the City of North Vancouver. Combined, the property is referred to as Site 8 and sits north of Carrie Cates Court, south of Esplanade Avenue and east of Rogers Avenue.

Site 8 will be further combined with other city-owned property at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue for a total area of 11,076.2 square metres (2.75 acres).

The proposal is to transfer the density off both city-owned parcels and concentrate it on the Millennium property and then use the city land for amenity development.

That density shift would see a potential 7.1 FSR (floor-space ratio -- a ratio that determines the building footprint relative to the lot it sits on) in the one corner of the combined parcels up from the current 2.6 FSR of each individual site.

The city's official community plan designates the land as "town centre mixed use" with a building height of 40 feet. The Lower Lonsdale planning study suggested upping the height limit to 75 feet but retained the 2.6 FSR.

"This is an important site in the history of North Vancouver," Gregory Henriquez of Henriquez Partners Architects told city council Monday. "The goal of our design is to try and bring back a resolution to this historic water's edge and find a way in the 21st century to make North Vancouver as significant and important a city as it can be."

This proposal is about community and will enliven the city's waterfront, he said. "The poetry for our architecture always comes from the nature of the site."

Initial view studies show less than 10 per cent blockage which is less than the 15 per cent acceptable in the City of Vancouver, said Henriquez.

The proposal builds on a concept that originated with a five-year-old city-driven study, known as "Where the mountains meet the community and the sea," he said.

Highlights of the four-phase proposal begin with building the residential tower, relocating the Railway Museum to Waterfront Park, while developing some of the city land for public space, a new home for Presentation House Gallery, and the proposed new wharf and pool.

The subsequent phases and longer term vision anticipate the Whistler Mountaineer Station move to Waterfront Park, building the route for the city's historic street car, the relocation of the SeaBus terminal to the foot of Lonsdale and a renovated and repositioned bus circle.

Joining Site 8 with the foot of Lonsdale is something council has endorsed, said Coun. Craig Keating. It's something the city has encouraged for a long time, he said.

"It's a very intriguing proposal," said Keating. However, there are many hurdles and a lot of hard work ahead for the developer, he said. "The community has to put this in some kind of context. If this were a proposal pure and simply for a 40-storey building and nothing else that would be a different thing."

The amenity list needs to be considered he said. Keating said he likes a pool in Lower Lonsdale, a stop for the Rocky Mountaineer, a hook up to LEC and a new home for the Presentation House Gallery.

"That gallery has done more in a sense to advertise the City of North Vancouver internationally than anything else," he said. "It's a world class photo arts gallery that has received many awards and to have a new waterfront home for that would be terrific."

"I don't know that your current plan makes the best use of that whole area," said Coun. Bob Heywood. "I think there's a lot of work to be done in reshaping the presentation of this very important area for the city."

Heywood said he's not convinced the city needs another public plaza when one is part of the Maritime Museum proposal just east of the foot of Lonsdale.

Additionally, the half-block of business to the east of Site 8 is excluded from the plans, he said. "It would seem to me that if we're going to create some space down there we need to involve that half of the block."

"The scope of amenity that's going to lend any support to this kind of project is going to be pretty significant," he said.

"We are in the genesis of this design stage," said Henriquez.

On the issue of the small scale buildings to the east, Henriquez said his design responds to their scale and that they are integral to the heritage of the neighbourhood and should be left or possibly restored in similar scale.

"I gasped a little," admitted Coun. Barbara Perrault at the 400-foot proposed tower. But, she said she likes the amenity list. "This (Presentation House Gallery) is a very sophisticated and very, very substantial gallery that we have in this community and we have not sung it's praises loud enough," said Perrault. "It needs a decent home."

She also supported the concept of the pool, but would like to see a 50-metre version if possible.

Coun. Pam Bookham said unless the public strongly supports the proposal she could not support that level of height on the city's waterfront.

"The doubling of the height of this building, even for the very worthwhile amenities that have been proposed I think is going to be a very difficult public sell," she said.

Council carried a motion for an Official Community Plan amendment and rezoning application, with Bookham opposed, that will see the proposal move to the public discussion stage.

Coun. Sam Schechter was absent.

© North Shore News 2007

[jlousa]

Pretty dead in here so I'll add some news even though it's not skyscrapaer related, DeltaPorts Phase 2 of Terminal 2 is in prebid it's a $750 Million project, and don't forget Berth 3 is still to come which will be an even bigger project.

This project consists of 5 building over 90 hectares of new land for terminal infastructure, a new wharf for 3 ship berths, 8-10 new gantry cranes, container storage and intermodal facilities.

[giallo]

Wow!
I wonder how many jobs that will create.

[SpongeG]

Drove past Legacy in Burnaby tonight and there were some interesting lights in the plaza - like little circles of bright blue all over the ground - quite neat

[jlousa]

Can't remember if I've posted this one before or not, but cant see it so I'll go again.

Minoru Park Phase 1
6391 Minuro Rd
2*16 Story towers over 3 levels of u/g parking. 614 parking stall (seems large maybe there is a commercial aspect as well). 230,000sqft, Tower A 113 Market rentals+ 21 affordable rentals. Tower B 90 condo units, Start Apr/08 completion in 09.

[SFUVancouver]

Lake City Centre - 100k sqft office bldg at the Production Way-SFU SkyTrain station

(My photo, taken October 27th, 2007)
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/3621/p1040669eo4.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/)


It's coming along. I still only count five floors with elevator doors off of the core yet the company's signage say it will be a six-storey building. I'm also curious how they are going to make the building have a front door since the elevator core is in the middle of the Translink bus loop and beneath this are the underground parking levels. I can't see an office building owner expecting people to walk through an overcrowded bus loop to get to an elevator lobby, not that there is even any room for one.

[cc85]

:hell: kiss the view of SFU goodbye from the skytrain station.

[squeezied]

^i was just thinking that

[Delirium]

new condo coming to burnaby.
i think the tops looks really odd. i hate it.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/Image2mm.jpg

[hollywoodnorth]

Business in Vancouver October 30-November 5, 2007; issue 940

SFU eyed for mega-sports centre

Private company’s plan calls for a $250 million facility that would include a 5,000-seat field house, a 2,000-seat acquatic centre and a World Doping Agency laboratory

Andrew Petrozzi

North America’s second largest multi-use sport-medical facility could soon call Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby Mountain campus home.

The $250 million Burnaby Mountain Sport + Medical (BMSM) private sector development would include:

• a 5,000-seat field house and 2,000-seat aquatic centre with two new synthetic turf fields atop the two structures;

• a sport science medical and office complex;

• a fitness centre;

• a 1,500-stall parking garage;

• a commercial and retail component; and

• a proposed World Anti-Doping Agency laboratory.

The project, which is scheduled to break ground next year, would be built on lands at the west end of campus that the university had earmarked for the Olympic speed skating oval before it was moved to Richmond.

The overall project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010, although some parts of it would be open earlier.

SFU would provide approximately nine acres of land for a nominal $25 for a 99-year lease and would in turn get majority use of the field house and substantial use of the rest of the facilities.

The project’s developer would cover the operating and maintenance costs.

Skomorowski said BMSM is receiving no funds from VANOC. The project’s equity partners come from within the private development company’s ownership group. Major institutional investors will provide the long-term funding. Both SFU and Partnerships BC on behalf of the provincial government and the investors have conducted due diligence on the project.

“Once you had SFU’s vision and our vision down and lined them up, it grew in scope and size to accommodate everything that we all wanted to do. It really is a co-mingling of visions,” said SFU alumni Ryan Skomorowski, 29, president and CEO of Burnaby Mountain Sport + Medical. “This was originally just a project of passion.”

Skomorowski graduated from SFU in 2002 in history and economics and was a former member of the varsity swim team. After graduation, he remained heavily involved with the swim program as its team manager while working in wealth management at Union Securities Ltd.

What started as a side project to improve SFU’s athletic amenities, particularly its aquatic facilities, soon turned into a new career for Skomorowski.

“There are different elements of the project that are more supportive financially than others, and it creates a unique model throughout when they are combined,” said Skomorowski.

“We’re really self-generating demand. These buildings are of such a size and scope that it really creates a lot of demand and cross-revenue streams.”

BSMS has established a partnership with SFU and the United Soccer League’s Vancouver Whitecaps FC that involves a training centre, use of the rooftop fields and fitness and rehabilitation areas. It builds on the relationship between SFU and the Whitecaps. BSMS hopes to set up a similar arrangement with the Canadian Football League’s B.C. Lions.

Skomorowski has secured Goldcorp Inc. director and former Industry Training Association (ITABC) chairwoman Beverley Briscoe and Imperial Parking Canada Corp.’s non-executive chairman Paul Clough as members of the project’s executive committee.

Clough is managing director; Ryan’s father, Nick Skomorowski, an accomplished mega-project development and construction manager, is project manger. Stuart Ballantyne of Molson Indy Vancouver fame has been retained as the project’s event planning and management director.

The board of advisers includes Bob Ackles, president and CEO of the B.C. Lions, and BC Hydro director and former Orca Bay Sports CEO Stephen Bellringer.

Great Canadian Gaming Corp. vice-president Chuck Keeling is also on the board.

SFU director of public affairs and media relations Don MacLachlan said the university is awaiting the project’s final proposal.

“And that’s what the developer is madly doing with pens in both hands,” MacLachlan said.

“It’s a very interesting project. It would give SFU access to athletic facilities that we now don’t have. [That] sounds great, but we do have to wait and see what the final proposal is.”

Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan was more emphatic in the city’s support for the development.

“We’re aware of the difficulties that they’ve [SFU] faced in their recreational facilities over the years,” he said, “so this opportunity to have a massive improvement in their recreational facilities is very welcome, not only for SFU, but for the community residents who are in UniverCity and the students who are living up there.”

He confirmed that the city’s planning department is working on the details with the developer and that SFU has assured Burnaby the project is financially viable.

“One of the wonderful things about the development,” Corrigan said, “is [that] though the primary purpose is to service university students, the facilities will be open to the general public and will be dependent on use by the general public.”

The private sector investment in BMSM is believed to be the largest injection of private capital in the history of Canadian universities.

“P3s are the future for public institutions to help achieve their goals, and you just need a way to bring in the business community to help support these institutions in a productive way,” said Skomorowski.

“That way everybody can win.” •

[hollywoodnorth]

Business in Vancouver October 30-November 5, 2007; issue 940

Rising urban land costs driving industry east

Manufacturers and other companies look to Alberta and elsewhere as suitable Metro Vancouver industrial land increasingly at a premium

Frank O’Brien/Western Investor

When B.C. forestry giant Tolko Industries Ltd. decided to build a new state-of-the-industry I-joist plant, the Vernon-based company spent months trying to find a suitable location in Metro Vancouver. Industrial acreage with rail links to the Vancouver ports was considered ideal, because the bulk of the company’s products would be shipped overseas.

Instead, frustrated by “prohibitive” industrial land costs in the Lower Mainland, Tolko has set up the $35 million, 30-acre plant – and its 300 employees – in Sturgeon County near Edmonton, from where it will transport its products back to the Vancouver docks.

“We are losing a ton of business here in the Lower Mainland,” said Colliers International Ltd. vice-president Randy Heed, who was close to the Tolko land search.

Heed said the only acreage suitable for Tolko was near the CN Rail line in Chilliwack, “but the land and development costs were simply prohibitive.”

That’s an understatement.

Serviced industrial land in Chilliwack is nudging $500,000 an acre – up 20% from two years ago – and prices are already at $1.6 million an acre in Fraser Valley pockets like Surrey’s Port Kells.

In Burnaby, one investor paid $2.8 million an acre for 14 acres on Boundary Road this year, and another anted up $3 million for an acre on East Kent Avenue in South Vancouver.

“Our industrial land prices are probably the highest in North America and certainly the highest in Canada,” Heed said.

The high prices reflect both soaring demand and the fact that Metro Vancouver has virtually run out of industrial land. The vacancy rate has plunged to 1.3%, while industrial land rezoning has virtually stalled.

“Companies, big employers, have options in Alberta,” Heed warned a National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) meeting in Vancouver last month.

He said that in Calgary, 3,000 acres of serviced industrial land will come to market this year and, by 2009, the city will have 5,000 acres of industrial land ready to develop.

“That’s where the business will be heading unless something is done,” he said. “In 10 years, we will be in serous trouble.”

However, others on the NAIOP industrial outlook panel noted that some international companies are willing to pay the freight.

It took Dallas, Texas-based Frito Lay well over a year to find acreage large enough to build a new distribution plant in Metro Vancouver. But Cushman & Wakefield LePage Inc. industrial specialist Stu Morrison said that “even with astronomical prices relative to land and construction costs elsewhere in North America,” the company went ahead with the deal and paid $8.25 million for an 11-acre site in North Surrey.

“Frito Lay sees Greater Vancouver as growing into a population of four million people,” Morrison said. “They want to be here.”

Morrison is skeptical that many companies will decamp to Calgary, rather than Vancouver, noting that land prices are close to the same in the Alberta city, and construction costs are even higher.

“The real danger,” he said, “is that companies will do nothing.”

Still, even a land shortage and out-of-control prices have failed to cool action in the Metro Vancouver industrial market.

In the last year, more than 5.1 million square feet of new industrial space has been added to the inventory – most of it in Surrey and Langley – and net absorption of space is running at close to 200,000 square feet a month, reports Shawna Rogowski, director of research for Colliers in Vancouver.

More than 3.5 million square feet of industrial space is under construction.

Speculators are also apparently still interested in the Metro industrial sector.

According to Colliers, all five of the major industrial sales during the second quarter of this year were to investors.

[officedweller]

Two more towers planned for NW waterfront
November 02, 2007

A developer who recently spent $32 million to purchase some New Westminster waterfront property, including the Inn at Westminster Quay, plans to build two 20-storey highrises over the next two years.

Narland Investments purchased the hotel, First Capital Place and nearly two acres of parking lot along Quayside Drive.

Narland owns Highbourne Tower in New Westminster, Haney Place in Maple Ridge, PoCo Place Mall in Port Coquitlam and 15 other properties in B.C. and Alberta, and plans to quickly develop the New Westminster waterfront properties. Narland has already begun a $1 million renovation of the Inn at the Westminster Quay, due to be completed in 2008.

The developer wants to build the two highrises at 1000 Quayside Drive—a 1.94 acre site currently being used as a parking lot.

Narland will seek the city’s approval for its development plans in 2008, said Chris Sherry, the company’s executive vice president.

“We don’t see it as a 10-year hold and look at it then. It will be a much shorter timeline than that,” Sherry said.

The zoning for the site allows Narland to build up to 100,000 square feet of commercial space and more than 300,000 square feet of residential. Both office space and high density residential are in demand throughout the region, and New Westminster is a community developers are attracted to, said Sherry.

mmcquillan@

burnabynewsleader.com

[officedweller]

As expected the dispute is political. If the project site was in the City of New Westminster, I'll bet there wouldn't be any problem with it.

Huge project raises concern
Coquitlam development could bring 5,000 more residents to city's edge

Theresa McManus, The Record; with files from Coquitlam NOW
Published: Wednesday, November 07, 2007

The City of New Westminster has grave concerns about a massive development being proposed in Coquitlam near Hume Park.

The City of Coquitlam has provided New Westminster with an opportunity to comment on an application to amend its official community plan. A massive development is proposed at 225 North Rd., a site that is currently used for warehouse and light industrial uses.

An applicant is seeking to amend Coquitlam's official community plan industrial designation of the site to allow a mixed-use development on the 27-acre site. It's the former Crane warehouse property.

In relation to both potential impacts on New Westminster and how this development relates to existing and planned land uses in the broader area, it is important to underline that this is a significant development," said a staff report.

"A population growth projection for New Westminster estimates that the city would see a total of 2,600 housing units constructed in its eastern (Sapperton) sector by 2021, while this one development on New Westminster's boundary may include 5,000 residents in approximately 2,000 housing units."

New Westminster city council is requesting that Coquitlam not proceed with the proposed amendment to its official community plan.

In addition to sending the staff report to the City of Coquitlam, New Westminster council is also requesting a meeting with Coquitlam council to discuss this matter.

The staff report states that the site is in an "unusual" location in terms of geographical and political borders. It is separated from most of Coquitlam by a major rail line and Highway 1, and it abuts Burnaby with a 500-metre frontage along North Road.

Because of the site's location, staff note that it is tied to New Westminster in terms of its transportation, parks and recreation facilities, schools and emergency services.

Staff report that it's likely the site would need emergency responders from New Westminster to respond because it's isolated from the rest of Coquitlam, that children living in the development would likely attend New Westminster schools and that residents in the development would likely rely on the recreation facilities in New Westminster and Burnaby.

In addition, the only vehicle access proposed for the site is from North Road.

The city fears this could have significant impact on traffic in New Westminster, especially along East Columbia Street and 10th and Eighth avenues.

Coun. Betty McIntosh said the section along North Road by Hume Park is already congested with bumper-to-bumper traffic during rush hour and the city has no plans to expand East Columbia Street.

She said New Westminster needs to send Coquitlam a strongly worded letter about its opposition to the project.

"Sometimes I think New Westminster tries to be a little too nice," she said. "There is no way they can build this isolated development."

Coun. Jonathan Cote expressed concern about the massive development proposed in an area that's disconnected from the rest of Coquitlam, noting those residents will rely on New Westminster parks and transportation services.

He's also concerned about the potential loss of industrial land.

"I just hope Coquitlam has an open mind and recognizes two of its biggest neighbours, Burnaby and New Westminster, are not going to support this and are against it," he said.

Coquitlam Mayor Max-ine Wilson said the pro-ject is still very much in its infancy, noting that a public consultation process involving city and regional stakeholders must be completed before it moves forward.

Where it's at from my perspective is that this was a concept that might have potential, but we need to send it out for public consultation to hear from people and to hear from Burnaby, New Westminster, TransLink and Metro Vancouver, as well as neighbours and other businesses," Wilson said. "I take that input very seriously."

Wilson said she's received comments from the community that indicate the site poses some challenges.

"I don't judge sites," she said. "We need to get as much information as possible before we move ahead with anything."

Coun. Bill Harper said the proposed official community plan amendment is coming forward at a time when Metro Vancouver (formerly the Greater Vancouver Regional District) is considering the merits of creating an industrial land reserve in the region.

"This (location) is like an island," he said. "All the impacts, anything that is going to be developed there is going to be felt by New Westminster."

McIntosh said the cities of New Westminster and Coquitlam have gone to litigation in the past concerning the Bailey Bridge, near United Boulevard.

She has fears that this development's proposal to provide a pedestrian crossing over the Brunette River, in order to provide access to the Braid SkyTrain station, would lead to a desire for a larger crossing.

"I am very concerned we have a history of building bridges over the river. It doesn't seem to work," she said.

Coun. Lorrie Williams expressed concern about the impact the proposed development would have on Brunette Creek.

"The Brunette Creek is a very sensitive area," she said. "The more people you put around there, the more strains on the creek. I am really opposed to this. I think this is a horrible place to put a development."

A staff report indicates that the proposal would allow at least 200,000 square feet of commercial, office and retail space and 2,000 dwelling units.

Mayor Wayne Wright said the site is better suited for parkland than for a mixed-use development.

"That should be parkland. It's one of the only salmon rivers you've got coming up," he said. "It is a very special, landlocked piece of property."

McIntosh noted that the proposed development is located in an area that is prone to flooding.

"Coquitlam has to look at all the ramifications," she said. "You can't tame a river when it is overflowing."

© The Record (New Westminster) 2007

[jlousa]

In the planning stage,

Azure At Plazza 88, 88 Carnarvon ST
$20Million, 180,000 square feet, 1 storey, 4 structures, containing a London Drugs, Safeway and several CRUs

Not sure if this info had already been released or not, but if not it's public now. ;)

[officedweller]

Forgot to mention - rode the Skytrain last week and the old meeting hall/ auditorium/warehouse building near Patterson Station was being torn down.

[cornholio]

Forgot to mention - rode the Skytrain last week and the old meeting hall/ auditorium/warehouse building near Patterson Station was being torn down.

there is a tower going in there. i think its 26 stories with townhouses at the base. i remember reading about the locals complaining about the townhouses saying that they don't fit in with the neighborhood because none of the other towers have them. Also the street next to it will be blocked, think its Kathleen st(sp?)

[officedweller]

Global Air Pics from 2004:

You'd think it would facilitate the completion of the south half of Central Boulevard, and it's set between other towers:

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/burnaby/2004/byh2004_126.jpg

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/burnaby/2004/byh2004_191.jpg

[SpongeG]

nice about time they got rid of that ugly old waste of a building

[officedweller]

I can see redevelopment creeping eastwards on the south side of the Skytrain tracks.

[androo3]

does anyone remember the talk about a tower or two going in around 108th and King George in Surrey? his was back in the old forum days anything new with this?

[SpongeG]

old news but the gap in Lougheed Mall shut down

replaced by some kind of antique mall

[Bert]

old news but the gap in Lougheed Mall shut down
From an acquaintance, I know that location lost all of its top salespeople over its last year... maybe a factor in what killed them, aside from the brand's waning performance overall.

[David]

i heard that the one in brentwood is gone as well

[officedweller]

Various pics newly posted (some a bit old it seems) at Global Air Photos:

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/burnaby/2007/byh2007_458.jpg

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/burnaby/2007/byh2007_431.jpg

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/surrey/2007/syh2007_306.jpg

[SpongeG]

i heard that the one in brentwood is gone as well

yeah the brentwood one closed at least 4 years ago

apparently the gap in lougheed closing was a shock to the mall - they only found out at the last minute that the store was closing

will have some big spaces to fill - music would the chain is shutting down in the next few months as well

[jlousa]

Best Western Coquitlam Inn Redevelopment Proposal
319 North Rd $50Million
Conceptual plans are complete. A rezoning decision is anticipated late 07. Further update late 08.
Project: 400,000 square feet, 405 total units, 20 townhouses fronting Delestre Ave, 1 highrise condo tower at 24stories and 1 at 28stories which includes 130 hotel suites, CRU on ground level.

[LeftCoaster]

Metrotower 3 - Look for construction to begin about late Febuary 2008, mainly site services and light demo. The actual structure will proabably not begin to rise until about Febuary 2009. This information is current as of August 2007.

Edit* Also the floor height has been increased by a whopping 13'

[Bert]

Floors increase by 13'? Not sure what you mean by that. Building height increased by 13' or floor height to 13'? Emporis (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=metrotoweriii-burnaby-canada) is listing it at 334', 27 floors. Do you know if the design is still the same as Emporis shows?

I noticed Metrotower III suddenly appeared on the Burnaby Major Projects listing in the summer - after all these years. Good to hear it's finally moving ahead.

By the way, I see there's a subtle lighting effect at the top of the One Madison Avenue towers in Brentwood. Is that new?

[officedweller]

Major changes envisioned for Langley downtown
Poonam Bains, Surrey Now
Published: Tuesday, November 20, 2007

A new performing arts and culture centre. A children's museum and downtown park. A regional transit hub, free local bus shuttle, and new residential units with retail shops.

If all goes according to the new Vision For The Future, they could constitute the new face of downtown Langley City.

Realtors, developers, Langley City staff, councillors and others filled the Convention Centre at Cascades Casino to be the first ones to see the City's potential future.

The final meeting of three, it concluded with a presentation by urban planner Michael von Hausen.

His team and city planners have been working for months on a vision and a plan to sustain and revitalize the downtown core, focusing on eight sectors.

City Mayor Peter Fassbender stressed to the crowd that it is a vision, and not a definite plan.

"We are opening our minds to what the potential is," he said. "A year ago we just had a vision, now we have a revitalized plan... It is the future of Langley."

At the two previous meetings, residents were invited to share their ideas and give input on the future of downtown Langley.

The master plan has three sustainable design principles - economic, social. and environmental.

Economically, the concept builds on existing strengths: enhance the commercial retail and industrial business mix, increase housing options, and encourage nighttime activities and programs in the downtown core.

The social aspect of the plan is to enhance the spirit of place and community, integrate new development with existing form and character, offer housing diversity to ensure affordability, and design the downtown for use all year round.

The environment principle calls for making it all as green as possible, by increasing the pedestrian, bicycle, and transit network, and by building responsibly.

A suggested entertainment district would include a festival park and a children's museum with an amphitheatre.

The area north of Fraser Highway at 203rd Street offers a potential site to locate a new major downtown greenspace.

"In addition, the adjoining industrial area to the north could evolve into a Granville Island industrial arts district over time," the plan outline suggests.

The Core Area between 204th and 208th Streets along Fraser Highway would remain as is, with specialty shopping and restaurants.

© Surrey Now 2007

[cc85]

there may be a little addition coming to central city

[Volksboi]

and what would that be?

[98fb]

yes can you please enlighten us. We need some discussion here.

[officedweller]

Would that be attached to the mall or across the street on the bus loop?

[SpongeG]

i was there tonight looks like H&M, Liz Claiborne and Bed Bath & Beyond are opening...

but its just done in a teasing way... but looks official

http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/2119371.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1934A2752006EF5F0EDE5983CF65F324AFC5A5397277B4DC33E

[Volksboi]

H&M opening in central City? where did you see this?

[David]

i saw what he is referring to. there is an empty storefront near future shop/winners with central city ads on the boards in front. there are three ads on it, with images of people saying something like: "a new store at central city? gee.. i hope it is _____" and then the three ads say H&M, Aldo and Liz Claiborne. It is really deceiving. I would think the mall wouldn't be allowed to advertise with those stores logos unless they were actually opening there, but the storefront seems way too small to have enough room for those three stores.

[cc85]

2.5 words: "two-storey addition"

[officedweller]

The Central City website shows "Future Development" near Winners - don't know if that space is already occupied or if it's the space you guys are referring to.

http://www.centralcity.ca/images/floorplanNew.jpg

[Volksboi]

ohh come on you need to give us more then that...lol...

[David]

The Central City website shows "Future Development" near Winners - don't know if that space is already occupied or if it's the space you guys are referring to.

http://www.centralcity.ca/images/floorplanNew.jpg


the space i was referring to is the left-most space of the "22" block

[SpongeG]

yeah thats where the ad is

its obviously too small for Bed Bath & Beyond

I imagine there is room for them somewhere in the mall - it has a number of vacancies and that whole Future Development Area

It could be a small H&M - the kind that only sells the womens stuff

or liz claiborne

would be nice to see it back as a better mall again - once it lost the bay and sears it died and has done a really good job coming back the last 2 years - ever since T&T opened it has really picked up pace

would be nice to see some big chains like H&M make it home

[westcoast604]

Interesting that the Brick is shown on that mall map. I didnt know they moved from their previous location at 135th & 104. That must have been very recent. Could mean re-development comming soon for that site.

See the building below the "W" in Waite, and the parking lot next to it.

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/surrey/2007/syh2007_291.jpg

[SpongeG]

yeah the brick closed down in september or october i think it was

they had a big close out sale

a prime spot for something for sure maybe one big project or something that helps with some needed infill

[SpongeG]

that condo whose name is escaping my dead memory at holdom station in Burnaby has added a train sculpture to its plaza between it and the holdom station

i hope its part of the water fountain as it kinda looks cheap but better than nothing i guess

[Bert]

that condo whose name is escaping my dead memory at holdom station
Legacy.

[SpongeG]

ah right

Was at Central City again tonight and they have taken down the H&M thing - now it only says Liz Claiborne and bed beath and beyond...

[cc85]

:shrug: they must be on to us.

[SpongeG]

that park is getting close to done

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/spongeg/DSC03098.jpg

[WhipperSnapper]

SSP Database Update: Coquitlam

Looking for an construction update on Obelisk, Encore, Cora 1 and 2 and if any of them will be completed by year's end if not already.

Thanks