[Metro-One]

It is amazing how many projects we still have on the go in this recession, maybe Vancouver's construction paste needed a correction.

[vanman]

Thanks a hell of alot SFU for all of the updates.

The vast majority of infill going up around Vancouver looks great. Wrt to that last project that Sacrifice posted I'm guessing that will be a single residential unit on top of a CRU? Either way that lot is freaking narrow and I like the inventive way it's been utilized.

[Built Form]

On Feb 21st the Marriott Residence Inn on Hornby street has become a Cascadia Hotel and Suites. Marriott has no affiliation with the west coast chain.

[s211]

On Feb 21st the Marriott Residence Inn on Hornby street has become a Cascadia Hotel and Suites. Marriott has no affiliation with the west coast chain.

Any idea what went down?

[privatejet]

It was a franchised Marriot, they have just ended the franchise agreement ownership of the hotel hasn't changed, ulitmately its BCIMC (through their purchase of CHIP REIT)

[officedweller]

Thanks for the info - drove past the other day and wondered when it changed.
That building was previoulsy the Wesbrook Hotel - it was built back for Expo 86 to house the international workers for the various Expo 86 pavillions.

[SpongeG]

hotels change names quite a lot - its pretty normal in the business it seems - one near me was a best western, than a holiday inn and now its a Ramada - can't remember what it was before a BW

[jlousa]

More quality infill coming, LedMac is going ahead with it's Century project at Fraser and 29th.

4550 Fraser St
To construct a 4-storey mixed-use building containing commercial uses at grade along Fraser Street and 213 dwelling units over two-levels of underground parking. 48 of the dwelling units will be the replacement rental units for the 48 units currently located on the adjacent CD-1 site (4545 Prince Albert).

The city really didn't want this one to proceed as it didn't want to lose those 48 rental units, even though it will be getting them back upon completion. Luckily the city was unable to stop this from from proceeding, although I suspect the developer would've preferred to up zone but didn't want to risk it so they stayed in the current zoning.

[punkster1982]

^^More commercial along that stretch of Fraser? I'd be great if it works, but when I lived around there it seemed to have a lot of empty store fronts and not a lot going on....

[SFUVancouver]

Broadway Station medical office building
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/7858/broadwaystnofficebldgap.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, April 14th, 2009

Commercial and 13th infill (I think this one is stalled)
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/3931/commercialand13thinfill.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, April 14th, 2009

Commercial and 15th infill (this one is going strong, and using steel!)
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7408/commercialand15thinfill.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, April 14th, 2009

[SFUVancouver]

One Kingsway
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/3959/onekingswayapril1309p11.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, April 13th, 2009

This one is still under construction!

[jlousa]

Yeah I noticed the Commercial and 13th hasn't moved in about a month every since they poured the ground floor slab. Not sure who's even developing this one, nor what's happened to it.

I did noticed that they've cleared the lot directly to the west of to the strip mall on the SE corner of Commercial and 12th. Any activity on that site yet?

[djh]

Is One Kingsway STILL under construction, or are they just putting the finishing touches in? That is at least a YEAR or two behind schedule! What happened?

[osirisboy]

Looks like they still have the balconies to put on, its probably months away from completing.

[flight_from_kamakura]

One Kingsway
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/3959/onekingswayapril1309p11.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, April 13th, 2009

another nice photo! thanks for the kickass contributions of late. astonishing this project still isn't done. i was preseent at a council meeting a year ago when they were discussing penalties the developer was to pay. a year ago. leaping lizards!

[Vancity]

^Wow! Thanks for that pic of ONE Kingsway! It looks really nice. I really like the building. It has a bit more color than most of the condo's/apartments that are being built in downtown (too bland). So, the brick is a nice element. Very nice.

[LotusLand]

^Wow! Thanks for that pic of ONE Kingsway! It looks really nice. I really like the building. It has a bit more color than most of the condo's/apartments that are being built in downtown (too bland). So, the brick is a nice element. Very nice.

It should look nice they've been building it for years :haha:

[osirisboy]

ok so this post is kind of worthless without pics i know but I was driving around UBC and that whole westbrook development (or whatever its called). Its freakin massive its almost as big as the olympic village and it was bustling full of construction activity which is always nice to see now a days. Just thought I would share that.

[mr.x]

^ ironically enough, that was the original site of the Olympic Village ten years ago.

[SpongeG]

Looks like they still have the balconies to put on, its probably months away from completing.

if you can call those balconies - barely fit a pair of sandals left out to dry

[osirisboy]

ha that is funny i didnt know thats where the Olympic vilage was going to be originaly.

oh yea those balconies are small. actually more like a just railing so you can open your sliding door and not fall out, which is still kinda nice.

[SFUVancouver]

Art Institute of Vancouver – new campus (approx 1,600 students in film and tv, graphic design, computer animation, etc.)
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/4452/artinstituterenoapril15.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, April 12th, 2009

The AI building is also phase 1 of a multi-phase office building development that will be very similar to Broadway Tech Centre, though at significantly higher densities. It is at the rezoning stage right now and as proposed the site will accommodate approximately 575,00 sqft of general office and ground-level retail. Phases 2, 3, and 4 will be office buildings ranging from 4 to 11 stories. The rezoning met a hiccup at the UDP where the allotment of mass on the site, and thus the rezoning, was not supported, though the density, use, and height were all strongly endorsed. Stay tuned.


Broadway Tech Centre phase 3 – two new buildings built above the existing warehouse space, which will continue in that role, plus a repurposing of the warehouse roof as a landscaped place of enjoyment.
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/1723/broadwaytechctrapril150.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, April 12th, 2009


Broadway and Boundry infill
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/8669/broadwayandboundryinfil.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, April 12th, 2009

[SFUVancouver]

Vancouver Police Department Force Options Training Centre
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/540/vpdforceoptionsapril150.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, April 12th, 2009


Ferrari and Maserati of Vancouver
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/550/ferrarimasarattivancouv.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, April 12th, 2009

[SpongeG]

the art institute - interesting - that used to be the old Real Canadian Wholesale Club store - someone had said it was going to be T&T...

looks good though - should bring some pedestrian action there

[officedweller]

Thanks for the pics.

For the last pic is where at Broadway & Boundary is that? i.e. is it actually Broadway (9th) or near Lougheed?

[djh]

Where is the Art Institute building? It doesn't say in the post where it is.

[WarrenC12]

Where is the Art Institute building? It doesn't say in the post where it is.

That picture was likely taken from the Renfrew Station M-Line platform, so right there. :D

[officedweller]

Planning process for the Pearson Hospital lands - Cambie & 57th

http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20090421/documents/p5.pdf

The Pearson site is located on the soon-to-be-completed Canada Line along the Cambie
Corridor. The closest stations are at Marine Drive and at 49th Avenue. In addition, the tracks
at 57th Avenue, at the northeast corner of the site, have been configured to allow for a future
station (not currently funded). Both CityPlan (1995) and EcoDensity (2008) support
densification in proximity to rapid transit and encourage development that de-emphasizes
automobile use. Both policies also support mixed-use developments that help create
complete communities, reducing transportation demands and providing employment and
commercial services closer to home.

[squeezied]

sweet, nice find. im quite eager to see how this will turn out along with with marine gateway

[SFUVancouver]

Where is the Art Institute building? It doesn't say in the post where it is.

Sorry about that. It is at Renfrew and 12th, adjacent Renfrew Station on the Millennium Line.

The overall project is called Renfrew Business Centre.

[mr.x]

Planning process for the Pearson Hospital lands - Cambie & 57th

http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20090421/documents/p5.pdf

The expansion, albeit large, would simply be a care home and not a real hospital.

I'd prefer that we never build a station there, as there would simply be too many stops on the Canada Line given that's it's just a 14-km trip to either Richmond Centre or YVR and either way takes 25-minutes. Making it longer for a station with little use will hinder the Canada Line's competitive travel times.

The only future station I'd consider is 33rd Avenue, with the new hospital being built, Children's Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Park, and the redevelopment of the RCMP headquarters.

[SFUVancouver]

I still really wish that there was a plan for a future station at 16th.

C'est la vie.

[LeftCoaster]

Ahh 16th isn't that far a walk from the city hall station.

[Spork]

Ahh 16th isn't that far a walk from the city hall station.

I guess we should have skipped Olympic Village Station then? (9th - 2nd = 7 blocks, 16th - 9th = 7 blocks)

They might consider it if density in that area increases sufficiently. I think for now King Ed and 9th will serve it nicely.

[rather_draconian]

Is that a Ferrari-Maserati dealership? Isn't the hole pretty damned deep for an auto dealership?

[phesto]

The expansion, albeit large, would simply be a care home and not a real hospital.


It will not just be a care home, if you read the report OD posted it will include possibly a substantial amount of housing, as well as some medical office and retail.

I would suggest given the number of large sites in the area (such as Langara Gardens and others) that are likely to be redeveloped to much higher densities over the next 10 years that 57th ave will become more of a viable station than 33rd - keep in mind these future stations have to be planned and funded in conjunction with development - something I don't see happening (and probably even more opposed) in the 33rd area.

If slowing down the Canada Line with additional stations was really much of an issue, why plan them in the first place?

[Spork]

Is that a Ferrari-Maserati dealership? Isn't the hole pretty damned deep for an auto dealership?

The vault that they put their piles of money in is fairly large.

[LeftCoaster]

Haha something tells me the exotic car industry doesn't exactly have piles of money right now.

Anyway the large basement is actually the service area for the dealership, accessible by a ramp off first ave i believe.

[SpongeG]

its a pretty small site - they need all the room they can get - and down is better than sprawl

[SFUVancouver]

^ Plus the underground parking level is their vault. Perhaps they'll keep the turly expensive cars down there at night instead of on the sales floor.

[zivan56]

Forgot about this. QE Park's main road is being rebuilt completely. Some pics I took last week:
http://iwdstudio.com/pictures/2009/april21/IMG_1724.jpg

http://iwdstudio.com/pictures/2009/april21/IMG_1725.jpg

[entheosfog]

Ginger, in Chinatown:
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/3393/dscf9227.jpg

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/3964/dscf9225.jpg

Recently restored heritage building on Hastings:
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/940/dscf9266.jpg

[raggedy13]

Thanks for the pics entheosfog. Do you know which cross streets that Hastings restoration is between?

[hollywoodnorth]

google map it ;)

looks like 285 East Hastings :)

[raggedy13]

^Perhaps. I can't make out all the digits in the address myself. But upon closer inspection I can kind of make out the address on the building next to it, the first digit at least. Looks like you're right with the 2. :)

[entheosfog]

Thanks for the pics entheosfog. Do you know which cross streets that Hastings restoration is between?

Hastings at Gore, right beside that old building on the corner called Orange Hall I believe.

[raggedy13]

Thanks. I didn't know there were so many restorations going on along Hastings. I thought the gentrification was creeping in eastward from Cambie and didn't really get much further than Carrall. Seems like its just about coming in from all sides now... interesting. :hmmm:

[SpongeG]

two projects as seen from the north side of false creek

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/spongeg/april%202009/DSC02350.jpg

[martinishaker]

One is low rise is Mantra and the high rise is Camera on 8th and PIne

[officedweller]

Three projects visible I think:

Mantra - middle left with white crane
Lumen - middle right with yellow crane
The one next to the IGA on Broadway (where Finlandia used to be) - in the background.

[zivan56]

Spotted a Google Streetview Chevy Cobalt car taking pictures on Cambie near BestBuy. Not a construction update, but this will be quite useful!

[SFUVancouver]

Three projects visible I think:

Mantra - middle left with white crane
Lumen - middle right with yellow crane
The one next to the IGA on Broadway (where Finlandia used to be) - in the background.

That one is called Pulse and is being built by developer Bastion.

[jlousa]

Could've sworn there was a PNE/Hasting Park thread but I can't find it anywhere. Some updates on the PNE redevelopment master plan, it's coming along rather quickly now and will be presented to the public at this years fair for opinions, the proposal will be presented to council late this year. There has been a lot of work put into it and although it won't please everyone (no mega ferris wheel or disneyfication) it has been very well received so far. Looks like playland itself will be expanding it's footprint in the park by 30% in the greening process, market analysis shows the region’s size and demographics indicate that there is the potential to grow both the fair and Playland.
They also anticipate a ferry service to North Van and a WCE station both located in New Brighton Park which will become joined with Hastings Park. Here is a crude map showing the stations.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/pnetransit.jpg

[mr.x]

You mean grow both the fair and Playland after it has been downsized over the last 15 years.

Anyhow, 30% sounds promising, better than no growth or even downsizing...and so are the transit improvements. I'll reserve further judgement until they release those plans.

Is that the only graphic you can show us?

[Metro-One]

Honestly all i hope is that there is no reduction of the number of rides and games in the park.

If you can tell me that there will be no loss in attractions then i will (shows, rides, games, events, etc...) then i will be much more behind this project.

[mr.x]

Honestly all i hope is that there is no reduction of the number of rides and games in the park.

If you can tell me that there will be no loss in attractions then i will (shows, rides, games, events, etc...) then i will be much more behind this project.

I couldn't agree more.

[jlousa]

There is no planned loss of rides, shows, events if anything there might be a slight increase during the fair, but don't expect too much. There will be more activity year round though.

The other graphs I have don't offer anything new, just traffic patrols, parking spots, permeable area, buried streams etc.

[LeftCoaster]

They also anticipate a ferry service to North Van and a WCE station both located in New Brighton Park which will become joined with Hastings Park. Here is a crude map showing the stations.


This is amazing, I did not see this coming what so ever. I assume this would involve the construction of at least two new seabuses, as I also assume they would be ferrying between Lonsdale and Downtown and need to/should conform to the seabus docks.

I wonder if this would lead to increased density in the area as better transit ensues or would the area remain primarily single family homes as it is now?

[officedweller]

The WCE stop makes a lot of sense - esp. for PNE and Coliseum events.
I suppose moving the statiuon a bit farther west - a shorter walk to the Coliseum but closer to houses (wrt braking noise), is out of the question. It's a long walk all the way around the race track to get to the Coliseum or the PNE.

[Vancity]

This is amazing, I did not see this coming what so ever. I assume this would involve the construction of at least two new seabuses, as I also assume they would be ferrying between Lonsdale and Downtown and need to/should conform to the seabus docks.

I wonder if this would lead to increased density in the area as better transit ensues or would the area remain primarily single family homes as it is now?

Increased density would never be a bad thing :) I hope they do densify this area near Hastings Park.

[phesto]

Here's a couple of renderings of 538 West Broadway I hadn't seen:

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5227/538wbrdway2.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8746/538wbrdway.jpg

[SFUVancouver]

^ That is the old design that was scrapped because it projected quite significantly into the David Lam Park Seawall to City Hall viewcone. The new design has the same volume but is a six storey slab building instead of an eight storey mini-tower on a two retail podium. The project is in the rezoning stage.

[officedweller]

^ That is the old design that was scrapped because it projected quite significantly into the David Lam Park Seawall to City Hall viewcone.

Seriously?
A reverse view cone towards City Hall?

[SFUVancouver]

Well I can't find it in the list of official view cones... However I know that there was a problem with the view analysis of the original design. The revised design squeaked through rezoning at the UDP.

Whether it is an official view cone or not, something extends from David Lam Park to City Hall and my understanding is that is what limited the height of Crossroads and forced the Broadway Plaza tower to turn 45 degrees off axis from Broadway.

[mr.x]

I've lost all faith in humanity.

[SpongeG]

the view of city hall is pretty nice at night from downtown - some areas anyway - i could see why they want to "save" it but whatever - view cone schmooo cone

[djh]

^Looks like a 1-tower version of Crossroads across the road.

[zivan56]

Any more info on the project? Link to proposal? A friend of mine used to live in one of those buildings and was forced out recently...so thats why....

[SpongeG]

they are moving the "welcome to vancouver" sign on grandview hwy

it was on the grass beside Wal-mat its now further east closer to boundary road

[jlousa]

The building next to the Cobolt on Main has applied to have it's rooms removed from the SRA registry. The building now houses an antique store named the Source and has 39 rooms above it. Someone mentioned that Bosa owns the empty parking lot next to this site, maybe they're interested in this building in orfer to build another project there. If she gets the rooms removed from the registry which staff are recommending then it'll be worth much more then it would be with them listed.

[hollywoodnorth]

The building next to the Cobolt on Main has applied to have it's rooms removed from the SRA registry. The building now houses an antique store named the Source and has 39 rooms above it. Someone mentioned that Bosa owns the empty parking lot next to this site, maybe they're interested in this building in orfer to build another project there. If she gets the rooms removed from the registry which staff are recommending then it'll be worth much more then it would be with them listed.

interesting

[djh]

Are you saying you can just remove your building from the SRO registry? Then how does the city maintain a stable number of SRO spaces? Is there some penalty fee for coming off, or do the landlords have to promise to provide replacement SRO rooms, or something similar?

Edit: Are we talking about SROs (Singe Room Occupancy rooms), or is SRA a typo, since I've never seen that acronym before?

[phesto]

Are you saying you can just remove your building from the SRO registry? Then how does the city maintain a stable number of SRO spaces? Is there some penalty fee for coming off, or do the landlords have to promise to provide replacement SRO rooms, or something similar?

Edit: Are we talking about SROs (Singe Room Occupancy rooms), or is SRA a typo, since I've never seen that acronym before?

SRO = Single Room Occupancy (residential hotels)
SRA = Single Room Accommodation (more general: includes SRO's, rooming houses etc)

It's really just City of Vancouver planning lingo bs to confuse outsiders.

You can't just remove a building from the SRA list - you have to make an application. The City can attach conditions like fees, provision of low-cost housing, etc.

[djh]

Thanks for the clarification, phesto.

I'd support that building being removed from the SRA on some decent conditions. I think that area definitely needs to have some SRA remaining, as that part of Main through to Chinatown is relatively stable with low-income families. I'd like to see their needs preserved in any development - e.g., a certain number of SRAs in any new buildings, like was done quite well in L'Hermitage.

As for that little area with its pubs such as the Cobalt etc., they are really an eyesore and are a meeting place for some dodgy characters (I remember one was closed down because of constant busting for fencing), but they are needed for the lower-income people in the area. If they can be cleaned-up and made legit, then they have a right to stay. If that could be one of the conditions of redevelopment (e.g., to build on this site you have to plan a neighbourhood pub/restaurant and a certain number of SRAs in the development), that could kill two birds with one stone.

[s211]

Thanks for the clarification, phesto.

I'd support that building being removed from the SRA on some decent conditions. I think that area definitely needs to have some SRA remaining, as that part of Main through to Chinatown is relatively stable with low-income families. I'd like to see their needs preserved in any development - e.g., a certain number of SRAs in any new buildings, like was done quite well in L'Hermitage.

As for that little area with its pubs such as the Cobalt etc., they are really an eyesore and are a meeting place for some dodgy characters (I remember one was closed down because of constant busting for fencing), but they are needed for the lower-income people in the area. If they can be cleaned-up and made legit, then they have a right to stay. If that could be one of the conditions of redevelopment (e.g., to build on this site you have to plan a neighbourhood pub/restaurant and a certain number of SRAs in the development), that could kill two birds with one stone.

That part of Main sucks large. Vacant lots, SROs from hell, SRAs from heck. Need to wipe that stuff off the map and clean the place up.

[hollywoodnorth]

on the subject of the VACANT lots at Main and Milross

the ones here http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=49.275671,-123.099414&spn=0.000465,0.001495&t=h&z=20

are the spot of the social housing project.......the building on the SOUTH of the lots there was just taken down this week! I am VERY excited for this project to move ahead.....

[entheosfog]

I had some friends from out of town stay at that backpackers hostel (the building that has the Source at the bottom) and they said the rooms were actually in pretty decent shape. That building, in my opinion is fine. It's all the empty lots, burned out buildings, boarded up buildings and the Cobalt Hotel that make that are really really crappy. I don't think the Cobalt Pub is a bad thing though. Brings some life on to that street at night. That stretch of Main has some great potential though, especially if Main south of Terminal sees some action...

[jlousa]

The city in it's attempt to control the market had placed a $5000/unit fee to remove units that were on the registry, when the market was hot that didn't stop the units from being removed so the city upped the price to $15K/unit. It's had an effect, but where it's the new price or the fact the market turned we'll have to wait and see. By the way that $5K/15K fee was to go towards the city funding new SRO units, (think they might have underbudgeted just a tad seeing their prices lately).

The C&N Hostel (the source building) is being allowed to remove it's units without the penalty fee due to the fact it hasn't allowed any long term stays so it's not acting as housing. The owner apparently has kept very good records showing it's been used as short term stay only.

Nice to see the area changing although it's been a slow process (20years since citygate started it).

[hollywoodnorth]

http://vancouver.ca/nmi_wac/nmi.exe/Detail?ID=457

this is the project I was referring to :) 1005 Station St. any new details on it?

[s211]

on the subject of the VACANT lots at Main and Milross

the ones here http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=49.275671,-123.099414&spn=0.000465,0.001495&t=h&z=20

are the spot of the social housing project.......the building on the SOUTH of the lots there was just taken down this week! I am VERY excited for this project to move ahead.....

Just what the area doesn't need: MORE social housing.

[djh]

Vancouver Sun story about the renewal of Cambie Village.

http://www.vancouversun.com/Cambie+Street+merchants+back+business/1557930/story.html


Cambie Street merchants get back to business


By Derrick Penner, Vancouver SunMay 2, 2009 12:01 PM

Salon owner Ali Amarshi’s biggest pet peeve is that too many people still think “construction zone” when they hear “Cambie Street.”

“Every time there’s a story [about Cambie Street in the newspapers] they run a picture of the hole in the ground. But it’s not that any more,” Amarshi said out in front of his shop, Soda Hair Inc., on a sunny day this week, with a backdrop of wide new sidewalks and four lanes of clean blacktop smoothly carrying traffic behind him.

Along this stretch of the thoroughfare between 17th and 18th Avenues, there is no longer any evidence of the canyon-like trench dug for construction of the Canada Line rapid transit. (There is still a traffic bottleneck between Broadway and 12th Ave. where construction is nearing completion.)

Notwithstanding unresolved legal claims over compensation for the disruption and lost sales that Cambie merchants suffered — as well as some skepticism about future benefits — the shopping district is getting down to what will be its new normal.

“Business is still slow,” Amarshi admitted, “but it’s picking up gradually.” He hopes that focusing on the positive future rather than battles over the past will help polish Cambie’s image and help encourage the return of more shoppers.

Some stores left, some opened

There have been many casualties of the construction. Some stores closed, others famously relocated during the disruption, and a new strip of big-box retailers has sprung up near the south end of the Cambie Street Bridge, significantly altering the district’s retail character.

But Amarshi notes that new businesses have occupied many of the vacant spaces, bringing some new vibrancy to the district known as Cambie Village.

Amarshi is a recent arrival to Cambie, having moved from a location at Heather and 16th a year-and-a-half ago during construction, so he was prepared to endure some tough business conditions while he built up a clientele.

Nevertheless, Amarshi was sold on the neighbourhood, which he views as a friendly, family-oriented community that will eventually be good for business.

“The [neighbourhood] support is great for every merchant here,” he said.

Sidewalks through Cambie Village were widened during the construction process, new trees planted, and a healthy sprinkling of street benches has been placed along the blocks, making them more inviting for pedestrians.

As construction first tied up and then tidied up the street, other new merchants and proprietors are being drawn back by Cambie Village’s attributes: A stable residential neighbourhood as an immediate market, with the traffic of a major thoroughfare to bolster the customer base.

Craig MacMillan is one of those entrepreneurs. He is opening Stella’s on Cambie, a restaurant and Belgian beer house that is an offshoot of his popular Stella’s on Commercial Drive, at the corner of 17th and Cambie, in premises once occupied by the Tomato Fresh Food Cafe.

Entrepreneur bullish on Cambie

The Tomato moved to an off-Broadway spot in Kitsilano because of the business it was losing during the Canada Line construction.

MacMillan, however, remains bullish about his prospects, having secured a favourable lease at the end of the construction.

“This is a fairly well-to-do neighbourhood, and a real main artery for Vancouver,” MacMillan said. “When we had the opportunity to get this space, we jumped on it.”

As Stella’s has been under construction, aiming for a May 11 opening:banana: , MacMillan said he has noticed the street filling up a little more quickly with traffic every week, which also makes him optimistic.

“You’re talking to people on a sunny day,” he added. “A little bit of vitamin D on the eyeballs makes everybody feel better, no matter where they are in the city.”

However, that optimism is tempered with caution, or outright skepticism among other business owners with longer history on the street, the ones who have endured the construction that began in November 2005.

The sidewalk improvements and new streetlights along the strip are esthetically pleasing, said Melinda Michalak, manager of the Black Dog Video shop near 18th and Cambie. But “as far as business goes, there hasn’t been any positive benefit from it yet.”

Her bigger concern is the recent closure of the Capers Community Market at 16th, a store that was closed in that company’s merger with organic-grocery giant Whole Foods, which just opened a large store at Cambie and Eighth.

Company ‘stayed positive’

“It is good to see vacant stores finally filled, the restaurants and such,” she added. “It was looking a little depressing there for a while.”

The fact that the nearest Canada Line stations to the centre of Cambie Village are seven and eight blocks away from him leave Cambie Cycles owner Brock Davis wondering what the future will hold for his shop.

“[Business] may get back close to where it was before,” said Davis, who has been on the street since 1985. “But it probably won’t because we’re sort of in the backwater. ... Down [near Broadway] there is a bit of a hubbub.”

To the north of Broadway, looking across the street at several of the new big-box stores — Home Depot, Canadian Tire and Best Buy — Shea Robinson of Robinson Lighting and Bath Centre said it is exciting to see construction near its completion.

“I think time will tell” whether the Canada Line’s development will make up for the last three years, Robinson said. “It was certainly a tough few years, and we saw decreases each year as customers were less apt to travel to this area.”

However, Robinson added that his company has “stayed positive throughout the process.”

Robinson said the foot traffic at the Canada Line stations at Broadway and the Olympic Village, which bookend the big-box district, will be a bigger deal for the Canadian Tire, Whole Foods and Best Buy stores, but he is hopeful the exposure will help raise the profile of his store.

“It all generates traffic,” Robinson said, “not to mention the Olympic village and the other developments happening in the area.”

depenner@vancouversun.com
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

[zivan56]

I must say that the Whole Foods that replaced Capers is a huge disappointment. First of all, it is pretty far from where Capers was. Also, it has a cold and sterile feel to it...more like a Costco.

[osirisboy]

so the capers store is empty now? that is to bad it was a nice store.

[squeezied]

i wonder how shoppers will do to the store... turn it all bright red and white? lol

[Chikinlittle]

There has been a grocery store at Cambie/16th for a long time... hopefully we'll see some sort of replacement for Capers. At least there's still Choices just a couple blocks away.

I must say that the Whole Foods that replaced Capers is a huge disappointment. First of all, it is pretty far from where Capers was. Also, it has a cold and sterile feel to it...more like a Costco.

[SpongeG]

I must say that the Whole Foods that replaced Capers is a huge disappointment. First of all, it is pretty far from where Capers was. Also, it has a cold and sterile feel to it...more like a Costco.

no way the new whole foods is miles better

the capers was so small and dinky - the one one robson and the one on west 4th are awful

great replacement - the ones in the states are often bigger this new one is great

[jlousa]

Figured this one lays just outside Downtown, although it could be argued.

Hopefully Leftside and Jacques like it. :tup: Personally I'm looking forward to seeing how this one.

1) 245 E. Georgia Street
New construction DE # 411644
The proposal was received to develop this 25 foot, mid-block lot in Chinatown (HA-1A) by providing a commercial space on the ground floor and 10 market residential units on floors 2- 7. The built form proposed in generally compatible with the historic character of the area and takes into consideration the Chinatown HA-1A Guidelines for non-designates sites. The
proposal is unique in its attempt to meet the Parking By-law requirements by providing the parking space within the unit. This would be achieved by a single car elevator, which would also carry residents directly to the residential units.

[David]

maybe its too early in the morning but that doesn't make sense to me. i'm assuming its one of those new high tech car parking systems but it sounds...different?

[vanman]

^No it's different than an automated parking system. Basically every unit would have it's own garage attached to it's unit on every floor. Residents would still have to manually drive in and out of the elevator and park the car themselves. It sounds like a really innovative way of dealing with parking constraints.

[vanman]

I found a small diagram:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/6a00d83451af5f69e200e55256328f8834-.jpg
http://www.seattlecondoreview.com/2008/05/

[officedweller]

Imagine the cost of elevator breakdowns - split among 10 unit owners....

[leftside]

Figured this one lays just outside Downtown, although it could be argued.

Hopefully Leftside and Jacques like it. :tup: Personally I'm looking forward to seeing how this one.
Interesting.

[entheosfog]

Figured this one lays just outside Downtown, although it could be argued.

Hopefully Leftside and Jacques like it. :tup: Personally I'm looking forward to seeing how this one.

Is that just where the parking lot is now? Pretty slim lot! Sounds interesting...

[jlousa]

Lots of renderings of the proposed changes to Vandusen gardens, and some info of the proposed bike course at Vanier Park. Sorry don't have time to extract the pics so you'll have to check out the pdf. Cheers.

http://vancouver.ca/parks/board/2009/plan090514/0514_slides.pdf

[LeftCoaster]

Wow that Van Dusen building is just bizarre looking, I love it. Great to see some more renderings of it.

Anyone know what used to be at Vanier park before? It looks like an army barracks or something like that.

[Spork]

Wow that Van Dusen building is just bizarre looking, I love it. Great to see some more renderings of it.

Anyone know what used to be at Vanier park before? It looks like an army barracks or something like that.

RCMP Station (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanier_Park)

[excel]

Thanks for the PDF. Looks great.

[hollywoodnorth]

wow! great stuff!

[wrenegade]

Wow that Van Dusen building is just bizarre looking

It looks a little like an eco-friendly nuclear power station, I like it though.

[MistyMountainHop]

so the capers store is empty now? that is to bad it was a nice store.

I don't mind. Choices is great (and cheaper), and the neighbourhood could use a drug store.