[whatnext]

I see fencing has gone up around the old Chrysler building at SW Marine and Manitoba and backhoes are onsite.

[whatnext]

Another fire in the heart of Mt. Pleasant at Kingsway and Broadway. Two fires in 2 months, how can that not be suspicious?
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Christmas+morning+fire+hits+buildings+Broadway+Kingsway+Vancouver/2379972/story.html

[Yume-sama]

Did they ever publish the cause of the other fire?

It's perhaps not suspicious during the Winter, when it is colder out, that there could be more fires. A lot of faulty heaters in places like that.

[cornholio]

The Scena on Kingsway half a block from Nanaimo has a crane up and excavations are complete, the single family homes on the north side of the project away from Kingsway are also all complete. Wish they atleast did some row housing or townhomes instead of only 8 single family homes.

http://thind.ca/projects/thind-single-family-homes/images/lotmap.jpg

http://thind.ca/thescena/images/floorplans.jpg

http://thind.ca/thescena/images/quality.jpg

pics http://thind.ca/thescena/quality.html

[entheosfog]

Another fire in the heart of Mt. Pleasant at Kingsway and Broadway. Two fires in 2 months, how can that not be suspicious?
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Christmas+morning+fire+hits+buildings+Broadway+Kingsway+Vancouver/2379972/story.html

I only found out about this as I was walking by yesterday and saw it. I thought they were doing demolition work at first:
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/9307/img3295e.jpg

http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/9533/img3294z.jpg

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/6197/img3293n.jpg

[entheosfog]

A few random updates, taken as I was walking by:

Station Street social housing project, this is the side facing Main Street:
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/9707/img3368n.jpg

And the back of it, the Station Street side:
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/1138/img3361r.jpg

The V6A project on Union, not sure if that's still the name:
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/6125/img3369i.jpg

This old shabby hotel has been under wraps for a while getting a make over. I bet the new residents of Ginger will be happy about that:
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/2818/img3371j.jpg

[officedweller]

I think that last one is a restoration that is in conjunction with the Ginger project (i.e. the corner heritage building was saved and the porn theatre was demolished)

[delboy]

I think that last one is a restoration that is in conjunction with the Ginger project (i.e. the corner heritage building was saved and the porn theatre was demolished)

i hate ginger - i drove by it a dozen times and never noticed it. I thought it was one of those 1970 era parking malls. Having said that, it at least good to see that there is some gentrification going on in the area.

[entheosfog]

I think that last one is a restoration that is in conjunction with the Ginger project (i.e. the corner heritage building was saved and the porn theatre was demolished)

Ah thanks for the info, I had no idea that's why its been getting fixed up.

[officedweller]

i hate ginger - i drove by it a dozen times and never noticed it. I thought it was one of those 1970 era parking malls. Having said that, it at least good to see that there is some gentrification going on in the area.

Yeah, recessed balconies in front of the condo windows also don't allow much light into the suite - I would expect the suites to be fairly dark inside.

[SpongeG]

yah

is it suppossed to be a nod to the old school china town buildings that did their balconies like that?

[officedweller]

Probably, but these ones look darker.

[SpongeG]

yes they do - probably looked like a good idea on paper

[hollywoodnorth]

they have had MAJOR trouble moving the units. week after week after week of ads in the local papers stating "WHY JUST BUY A PRESALE PIECE OF PAPER WHEN YOU CAN MOVE IN NOW" and no one is biting. when right next door ONNI's V6A is selling awesome and its presale.......so its obviously not the AREA its the $$$ and Quality and Layouts (dark and cave like I imagine ;) )

at night it looks like 1 or 2 units are occupied or the lights have been left ON by the sales people by accident. LOL ;)

[jlousa]

V6A has the recessed balconies as well, although they limit the light where the balcony is that's not always a bad thing it reduces heat gain significantly which is a good thing depending on which way it's facing, not to mention it results in much cleaner lines. For instance Woodwards wouldn't look nearly as good if it had protruding balconies.

[squeezied]

A couple of renderings of the project on 41st & Balaclava. I don't understand why there was so much local opposition from the nimbys, its such a freakin' sweet project.

http://www.smithgill.com/#/work/vancouver_residential_co
http://www.smithgill.com/assets/files/vancouver_complex_portfolio_website1.pdf

[David]

They put up a big Olympics advertising mural along the drive thru lane of the Cassiar McDonalds, prominently facing the intersection/Hastings Park.

[privatejet]

A couple of renderings of the project on 41st & Balaclava. I don't understand why there was so much local opposition from the nimbys, its such a freakin' sweet project.

http://www.smithgill.com/#/work/vancouver_residential_co
http://www.smithgill.com/assets/files/vancouver_complex_portfolio_website1.pdf

wow, thats a beautiful example of suburban densification. How can you complain about that?

Does Emaar have a partner that can develop and finance this project? Or it it dustbin w/ many of Dubai Inc. other projects?

[Pinion]

nm

[Prometheus]

wow, thats a beautiful example of suburban densification. How can you complain about that?

The residents of this quiet, affluent, residential neighbourhood are complaining precisely because it's densification.

[djh]

There was an interesting article in 24 Hours earlier this week that talked about the plague of fires at Main and Broadway over the last few years (I think I had mentioned in a previous post the same thing - 3 major fires at my count). Anyway, on close examination of the article, one can infer a couple of interesting bits of information:

- 2 of the 3 buildings burned down in the recent fire at Broadway & Kingsway were owned by the developers Rize Alliance Properties

- Rize plans to redevelop that whole block within the next 18 months, with a structure similar to the one on Main/10th (where the block was razed in 2001 and now has HUB, a 4 storey residential development with a bunch of cool shops below).
But it will be MORE THAN 4 floors tall, and they want decent local businesses on the first 2 floors, not "Subway or UPS" (I'm assuming they mean not big multinational chains that don't care about the neighbourhood.

- There's going to be a Tim Hortons(!)/Wendys combo moving in to the empty bank building at Main/Broadway very soon.


Here's the original article. (http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/local/2010/01/05/12350121-sun.html)

[whatnext]

There was another article on the angst over SoMa's future development in this week's Courier:
http://www2.canada.com/vancouvercourier/news/story.html?id=fdbbc864-131b-4ef9-be63-99d4e1ad6f85

Shame about the Tim Hortons/Wendy's in the old bank. It would have made a great space for a more upscale restaurant. Still, better than sitting empty I guess.

[officedweller]

Or becoming Kitchen Corner like the one at 1st & Commercial.
The old BMO at Main & Broadway would make a nice restaurant site too.

[jlousa]

Interesting news on the Arbutus shopping centre, it's been a highly contested redevelopment process over years. Hadn't heard much about it recently but looks like there is some movement. Not to impressive density wise, I am surprised on the height though. The amount of self storage though is huge and caught me off guard perhaps it's a typo or a confusion metres instead of feet or maybe it really will have public storage available for rent.

Planned is a phased redevelopment of the existing shopping centre site, following the 2008 Arbutus Centre Policy Statement. Proposed are 4 blocks including new streets. Each block consists of at-grade retail with residential above. Included are a major food store and a liquor store. Building heights are 6, 7 and 8 storeys plus mezzanine, or 57 and 65 m. Commercial uses include 9,308 square metres of retail/services, 1,428 square metres of office, 818 square metres of dance studio and 13,441 square metres of self storage (located underground). Residential comprises 59,295 square metres in 508 units of whic 64 are serniors rental, 45 are market rental and 46 are potential lock-off suites. 2,694 square metres of community amenity space is proposed. 255 parking spaces are proposed for commercial and 553 for residential.

[Hed Kandi]

Intracorp's Spruce at 1096 W. Broadway will rise 11 floors above Broadway
Developer takes over stalled project from owner of Vancouver property
Mary Frances Hill

Sun

Saturday, January, 09, 2010


SPRUCE

Project location: Fairview, Vancouver
Project size: 11 storeys, 49 units
Residence size: 1 bed +den, 555 sq. ft.-653 sq. ft.-2 bed +den, 804 sq. ft.-853 sq. ft.
Prices: From the mid $300,000 range
Developer: Intracorp
Architect: Nigel Baldwin/Halkier Architects
Interior design: Insight Design group with Kodu Design
Sales centre: 1595 West Broadway, Vancouver
Hours: noon -5 p.m., Sat -Thu
Telephone: 604-738-7075
E-mail: info@spruceliving.ca
Web: spruceliving.ca
Occupancy: November 2011

When Spruce's builders break ground in March, Joe Walls will probably be nearby, watching and waiting."We always joke that once they start building the place, we're going to grab a cup of coffee and sit out on the street and watch," the buyer of a one-bedroom-with-den penthouse-apartment says.

Wall bought a Spruce apartment three days after Intracorp Development started selling. He hopes to be in his new home by the end of 2011.

"It's pretty exciting and gives us something to look forward to," he says. "In the next year, we'll be getting ready, planning, and buying new furniture for the place."

Walls's current residence is nearby, a one-bedroom apartment of just over 500 square feet, with little balcony attached. He and his girlfriend, who spend most of their time in that small place, are stoked about what's to come: more than 600 square feet, with a spiral staircase leading to their private rooftop terrace--yet another 600 square feet.

Walls says they're looking forward to twice as many windows as his current home, plenty of storage space. "It's very open, very light, with lots of windows, heated bathroom floor, and amenities like a gym.

In his early 30s, Walls grew up in the Surrey-White Rock area and has owned most of the homes he's lived in in his adult years.

But the bachelor days are over, and new needs and priorities factor in.

"As you progress in life you try to move up, so I bought a place with a few more amenities. Being a boutique-style building, I know people who buy into Spruce will take more pride in it, and stay there. There'll be more security."

Walls, a cyclist who drives only on the weekends, and then only seldom, takes the bike route on 10th Avenue to his workplace near Cambie.

It was vital to the couple that they stay in the False Creek neighbourhood. With her work downtown, and his job near Cambie and Broadway, the area is convenient for both of them.

On Broadway, Walls and his neighbours can take in a variety of restaurants, coffee shops and retail outlets. The business strip continues east toward Oak and Cambie, where major pharmacies like Shoppers Drug Mart and London Drugs are the cornerstones of the retail district.

A few blocks west sits Granville Street, a destination with higher-end furniture, private art galleries, bookstores, restaurants, and the Stanley Theatre.

The neighbourhoods act as bookends for Walls and his neighbours, as both are hubs of city transportation.

Trains from the Broadway-City Hall Canada Line stop at Cambie and Broadway travel to downtown Vancouver and Richmond. The Granville-Broadway area is lined with coffee shops, bookstores, high-end furniture and small galleries.

Further south of the development is a neighbourhood of a different character altogether, as established homes and apartment buildings sit on quiet tree-lined streets. As one of the very few new developments in the area, Walls sees the building blends into the warmth of the area.

The project was unanimously supported by the city's Urban Design Panel, which noted in a 2007 Development Permit Board report that its "tower setback" offered a greater sense of variability along that stretch of West Broadway.

"I grew up in the suburbs, and I'm a creature of comfort, so I need a quieter tree-lined street, Walls says.

The site was slated for construction under a different developer, MBA Inc. and JMR Developments, two years ago. As the land's owners, they chose to redevelop the site, and went to market in October 2008.

But the real estate market downturn hit them hard.

After nearly seven weeks, MBA/JMR realized it was not viable and put the project on hold, according to Intracorp marketing director Carla Bury.

They still own the site, with Intracorp as developer and marketer.

When Intracorp took over, it brought with it a pedigree that inspired some confidence in Walls, he says.

Intracorp built Camera and Pintura at South Granville; Rise, Vista Place and Ventana in North Vancouver; Jacobsen in Mount Pleasant, and Chancellor Place at UBC.

Once Intracorp moved in and the turbulence calmed down, Walls says he felt confident about his new home.

"Any correction in the market that should have that has happened in Vancouver has already happened. We're excited about moving."

Birdseye views back and front

The Spruce building will be located at the southeast corner of Broadway and Spruce. The rendering (top) on the left shows the building's north, or Broadway, and west, or Spruce, elevations and the rendering on the right, its south and east elevations. The Spruce architects are Nigel Baldwin and Halkier Architects. In his presentation to city hall's Urban Design Panel, architect Baldwin said the siting of the building on the property was driven by proximities. ' . . . the tower was set back to create some difference in the streetscape along West Broadway.' The panel unanimously supported the proposal, with members saying 'the tower setback along West Broadway as they felt it offered greater variability on West Broadway and helped break down the monotony of the series of small towers that are all in a row.' (Above left) Baldwin has used the spiral staircases connecting Spruce penthouses and their roof decks elsewhere, 10 blocks to the west, on the recently opened Pulse building. Above right, the south, or lane, elevation, showing the entrance to the parking garage.

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

[trofirhen]

Thanks for that. It will be even better if you could get some visuals of the plans and drawings. Around 11 floors seems typical of central Broadway. I prefer Westwood Bld in LA, although I realize its a different city and a different type, and bigger, street. Central Broadway is somehow unappealing visually IMHO, and that's too bad. Not too much you can do about, once the street is established. This all relates back to the dimensions and style of the upcoming project, that's all.

[Locked In]

^ Here's the developer's website: http://www.spruceliving.ca/

[officedweller]

Kind of unfortunate that that side of Broadway is primarily condos.
At least the north side has some office space mixed in (though not much office has been built in recent years other than farther east @ Crossroads).

[trofirhen]

I know what you mean, but for me, Central Broadway just has a bitty blaaaaa quality to it thyat may change somewat, but not a whole lot. Hope I'm wrong.

[vansky]

527000, for 2 bed room...way too greedy

[officedweller]

From the Christopher Bozyk website:

Scotia & East 2nd:

http://www.bozyk.com/HTML/ScotiaE2nd.html

http://www.bozyk.com/IMAGES/Residential/Scotia_E2nd/Scotia_E2nd%20-%20image01.jpg

http://www.bozyk.com/IMAGES/Residential/Scotia_E2nd/Scotia_E2nd%20-%20image02.jpg http://www.bozyk.com/IMAGES/Residential/Scotia_E2nd/Scotia_E2nd%20-%20image03.jpg

[nova9]

Not sure if people have posted this AWESOME 60ft Van East Cross on Knight/Clark and Great Northern Way.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs148.snc3/17577_419240665396_722145396_10492082_6404734_n.jpg

Being an Eastsider and having grown up in the Eastside, I am extremely proud of this piece of public art. I'll try to get more pictures of this from the correct perspective but this was as you can tell me using my iphone illegally while driving (haha). I'll try to get a few shots during day and night.

[Metro-One]

:previous: Sweet, I like that, but does it light up at night?

[AdrianT]

it lights up with LEDs--never knew this was a gang sign though, shows you how much I know about east van.
There's a citycaucus.com blog post about the art
http://www.citycaucus.com/2010/01/east-van-no-rules

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4266864405_a644b99ab0_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/citycaucus/4266864405/in/set-72157623067320311/

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2727/4267609262_cdf42e1e1c_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/citycaucus/4267609262/

[entheosfog]

I saw that up earlier today and it sure looks a lot bigger than what I thought it would be! Quite impressive. I can't wait for it to be lit up.

[giallo]

Something tells me its going to be the subject of a lot of photos and local hip hop videos.

I love it.

[raggedy13]

Looks great - somehow a lot sleeker than I had imagined. Can't wait to see it lit up as well.

[Delirium]

great piece! it'll look great at night. here's a pic from metro
http://media.metronews.topscms.com/images/35/f5/8a441e3f47678f281fbc985c3928.jpeg
http://media.metronews.topscms.com/images/35/f5/8a441e3f47678f281fbc985c3928.jpeg

A massive 17-metre sign with the words “Van” and “East” crossed through the letter A was erected yesterday on a promontory in East Vancouver near the VCC SkyTrain Terminal.

When the sign is lit — likely at dusk tonight — it will be visible throughout the Downtown and from as far away as North Vancouver.

Vancouver artist Ken Lum’s Monument For East Vancouver is one of the major works commissioned through the city’s $6-million Olympic and Paralympic Public Art Program. Rich Newirth, Vancouver’s acting managing director of cultural services, predicted the piece would become an icon in the city. “This is one of the public artworks that people want to see when they come here.”

The piece, which is located on Clark Drive at Sixth Avenue, will be lit with LED lights from dusk to dawn. It is one of several major pieces that will be unveiled in the next few weeks. Newirth expects some people will have a negative reaction to the piece at first, but said it’s expected and welcomed. “If it doesn’t evoke response, then you’re not really succeeding.”

[entheosfog]

I managed to get some pics of it today, and while it was sunny even! It sure is impressive up close! Me likes!

Up close:
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/5534/img3595g.jpg

Backside:
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8522/img3594vw.jpg

In situ:
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/6858/img3592jq.jpg

Further back:
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/1741/img3590w.jpg

Backside in situ:
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/1731/img3593.jpg

And, a special bonus, while I was walking home from work in the pouring ran I got a couple quick shots:
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/618/img3599z.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3619/img3598bq.jpg

[Locked In]

^ Great photos - thanks! It looks fantastic, day and night!

[nova9]

Thanks for the photos. you saved me a trip.

I'm falling in love with it more and more.

What do you guys feel about the location? I kinda like that it's in the middle of this warehouse district, it really shows that this piece of art is meant to be seen on both faraway and in close.

[amor de cosmos]

re:place mag wants suggestions:
That said, we are going to begin the year with a humble call to our readers and urban fanatics for input. Given the incoming tsunami of foreigners descending on Vancouver for the Olympics next month, we at re:place are looking to create an Urbanists Guide to Vancouver.
http://regardingplace.com/?p=6957

found here
http://pricetags.wordpress.com/2010/01/12/a-call-to-all-urbanists/

[Delirium]

there are some really interesting pieces yet to be installed.

like this one;
http://www.vancouverbiennale.com/sculptures_page.php?sculptureID=16

and these;
http://www.vancouverbiennale.com/sculptures_page.php?sculptureID=13

http://www.vancouverbiennale.com/sculptures_page.php?sculptureID=14

full list with photos and description of each
http://www.vancouverbiennale.com/art.html

[Hed Kandi]

there are some really interesting pieces yet to be installed.

like this one;
http://www.vancouverbiennale.com/sculptures_page.php?sculptureID=16

and these;
http://www.vancouverbiennale.com/sculptures_page.php?sculptureID=13

http://www.vancouverbiennale.com/sculptures_page.php?sculptureID=14

full list with photos and description of each
http://www.vancouverbiennale.com/art.html


Oh wow! I love it.

Are these going to be installed before the Olympics? And are they permanent?

[SpongeG]

they are just part of the ongoing thing we've had the last few years - like that upside church, the big rings at english bay etc

they come and go

[PROSTSHOCKER]

That east van sign is amazingly bright, i saw it from main street on the skytrain

the skytrain also goes right by it, everyone on it cocked their head to watch it go by on the train lol

[officedweller]

Awesome visibility from SkyTrain!

[vanman]

It's funny the reaction that the east van sign is getting in the Canada section of SSP. Sounds like most people are put off by it's religious connotation :haha: .

[invisibleairwaves]

Went past the East Van sign today on the Skytrain. Love it. I can see it becoming a real landmark for the area.

[giallo]

Oh wow! I love it.

Are these going to be installed before the Olympics? And are they permanent?

Sick list!

The more art the better I say.

[nova9]

It's funny the reaction that the east van sign is getting in the Canada section of SSP. Sounds like most people are put off by it's religious connotation :haha: .

because they don't understand the context of the east van cross. but who gives a flying beaver about what they think. the cross wasn't put up for them. it was put up for the eastside.

[vanman]

True. Eastsiders will love it and thats all that matters.

[dreambrother808]

I've always thought that it was irreverent and almost anti-religious, especially since I first saw it tattooed on a biker. Placing the area of the city you live in on the same level as Jesus is more sacriligious than religious to my mind.

[vanman]

I'm somewhat religious, and I don't find it offensive at all. The cross, in this context doesn't represent the crucifix imo, it's more of a convenient shape.

[twoNeurons]

The cross has pagan origins anyhow. Personally, I see nothing religious about this art.

[officedweller]

From the January 13th UDP agenda:

1569 West 6th Avenue (6th & Fir)
DE: Rezoning
Use: Construct a new 15-storey residential building with retail at grade.
Zoning: C-3A to CD-1
Application Status: Rezoning
Review: First
Architect: Henriquez Partners Architects
Staff: Karen Hoese and Ralph Segal

675-691 East Broadway (East Broadway @ Fraser)
DE: Rezoning
Use: 12 storey social housing project with Broadway Youth Social Service Centre
Zoning: C2-C to CD-1
Application Status: RZ
Review: First
Architect: Neale Staniszkis Doll Adams Architects
Staff: Grant Miller and Anita Molaro

[SFUVancouver]

^ Both passed their rezonings at the UDP.

[djh]

Is that the corner with the Broadway Youth Recreation Centre on it? Boy, that corner needs bulldozing.
But it's very surprising a 12 storey building is needed there before something similar is planned for, say, the Broadway/Main intersection. Good, but surprising in development chronolgy.

[officedweller]

Thanks for the info.
The location at Broadway & Fraser sems bit out of the way for a highrise, but I suppose that it's the property that they own, so it's going to be developed.
Maybe it will be the first of many along East Broadway (Broadway & Commercial, anyone?).

[jlousa]

Interesting, first V6A didn't sell very well, now it's sold so well that they are going to expand it. Pretty short on details though, no idea if they are rejigging the floors for smaller units, or adding an additional floor. All we know is they are asking for an additional 12 units.

221 UNION ST Zoning: HA-1A
Project Type: Addition / Alteration
Department: Planning Department
No: DE413547
Applicant Contact: Alex Orr Onni Development

Description:

Minor amendment to alter increase the number of dwelling units (12 additional units) for a total of 140 dwelling units and add storage in the parking level.

[Taj Mahal Traveller]

That's an interesting bit of info, jlousa.

I live near the V6A site, and I would offer a different interpretation of Omni's amendment request for additional units. Omni's previous attempt to sell condos at V6A went nowhere. Then the bubble burst and the site was shut down. The reality is, V6A project is located in an unsaleable spot. It is a large-scale residential project without any design merit. When completed, it will make the DERA co-op a couple of doors down look fabulous (green tinted windows et al).

Of course, the ever reputable Omni, Amacon, DeCotiss, whatever, consortium is doing what they always do when one of their dubious projects goes south -"buy" their own units and go rental (cf. Robson & Seymour). At this point, it makes no sense for them to be pursuing specuvestors or families, hence the request to rejig the building for smaller units, helping smooth the way for rentals.

I guess this goes a long way to explaining why this sad joke of a condo development is "doing so well".

Just my take, could be wrong.

[hollywoodnorth]

That's an interesting bit of info, jlousa.

I live near the V6A site, and I would offer a different interpretation of Omni's amendment request for additional units. Omni's previous attempt to sell condos at V6A went nowhere. Then the bubble burst and the site was shut down. The reality is, V6A project is located in an unsaleable spot. It is a large-scale residential project without any design merit. When completed, it will make the DERA co-op a couple of doors down look fabulous (green tinted windows et al).

Of course, the ever reputable Omni, Amacon, DeCotiss, whatever, consortium is doing what they always do when one of their dubious projects goes south -"buy" their own units and go rental (cf. Robson & Seymour). At this point, it makes no sense for them to be pursuing specuvestors or families, hence the request to rejig the building for smaller units, helping smooth the way for rentals.

I guess this goes a long way to explaining why this sad joke of a condo development is "doing so well".

Just my take, could be wrong.

hmmm I thought it actually did sell well.

but I do think the area has issues and with GINGER doing little sales right next door I think something is fishy here......

[vanman]

What is an Omni ?

[dleung]

Omni is another stale local developer catering to the tastes of lower-middle class wannabe yuppies.

[SpongeG]

i thought it was Onni?

[vanman]

^Haha, it is Onni. I was just being an ass.

[SpongeG]

^^ i figured so

[LeftCoaster]

Taj, though what you say does happen quite frequently in the development world, more predominantly so with some firms than others, I wouldnt be surprised if this project was simply selling well. It is one of the few new projects on the market right now and if Onni's other project "The Mark" was any indication the appitite for new condo sales seems quite high right now.

Also the Decotis' behind Amacon do not really do business with the Decotis' behind the Onni group. They are the same family but from what I understand the two firms are operated independantly from eachother and I've even heard the two factions don't particularily get along.

[martinishaker]

Inno De Cottis was the founder. Inno backwards is ONNI.
They also built Pinacle

[officedweller]

From the Courier:

Residents balk at 11-storey social housing project
Group warns of 'dangerous mistakes'

Cheryl Rossi
Vancouver Courier

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

A Mount Pleasant residents group says it wants social housing at East Broadway and Fraser, but it doesn't like the project proposed for the site.

"We want the city to take a breath and allow everyone to build it right in our neighbourhood, and not just build it the way the province just kind of said," said Greg Scarborough, who runs the website mountpleasantneighbours.org.

"A cash grab is not a reason to do things hastily," he added. "That's when dangerous mistakes happen and they're either going to pay for it now, or they'll pay for it later if they don't make an appropriate decision on a type of development that's appropriate for the sustainability of the neighbourhood."

The Mount Pleasant Neighbours group questions the wisdom in establishing 70 units for homeless people or those as risk of being homeless in an 11-storey building at the northwest corner of East Broadway and Fraser Street.

The proposed development would include 103 units of social housing, most of them for low-income tenants who are homeless, living in low-income hotels or in substandard housing.

Thirty of the units would be set aside for youth between the ages of 16 and 24, and 24 units could be market rental housing.

The Broadway Youth Resource Centre, which operates at the corner, would occupy the first and second floors and support the youth tenants, and the Vancouver Native Housing Society would support the bulk of the tenants in a tower on the eastern portion of the property at 675 to 691 East Broadway. Commercial space is proposed for ground level.

The project is one of 12 on city-owned land.

NSDA Architects has applied to have the zoning of the property changed from commercial to a comprehensive development.

Scarborough, who lives three blocks from the site and has lived in the neighbourhood for a decade, says he and other neighbours have spent seven years cleaning the area up, holding street sweeps, helping the youth resource centre with murals and educating residents on how to deal with crack houses. He said some neighbours view the large social housing complex as a step backward.

He notes 11 storeys doesn't fit with the heights discussed in community planning for the area and that Mount Pleasant is poised to accommodate 77 per cent of new social housing units for low-income singles slated outside the downtown core. He and other residents want fewer units for adult, low-income singles and rental suites to be guaranteed.

Ed Henderson, a composer who's lived near the site for 10 years, says housing poor people in tall towers doesn't help anyone, and the integrated mix of market and social housing near Granville Island is a better model.

The neighbourhood group points to a draft report by Vancouver Coastal Health, which states that social housing projects with a maximum of 40 people with mental health or addiction problems readily integrates into communities.

Rob Whitlock, senior housing officer with the city, says under ideal conditions and over the long term, smaller clusters of social housing would be spread throughout the city, but available sites are limited and resources are stretched.

He noted the 40-bed temporary winter shelter operating on the site is full, which demonstrates the dire need for housing.

Whitlock said social housing developments of a similar size operate with few problems in Downtown South, and Vancouver Native Housing Society operates a project of a similar size.

He's not sure the market rental suites will be included in the project.

A public open house on the proposed rezoning begins at 4 p.m. today at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, 800 East Broadway.

crossi@vancourier.com

© Vancouver Courier 2010

[whatnext]

They were installing some sort of LED "fireworks" lighting on top of one of the lamp standards NB at Cambie and 15th today? Sorry didn't have a camera.

[djh]

From the Courier:
Residents balk at 11-storey social housing project
Group warns of 'dangerous mistakes'

Cheryl Rossi
Vancouver Courier

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Definitely a lot of truth in this article. I generally don't have a lot of time for NIMBYs and for any proposal there is always going to be a host of people that step-up to complain.

However, does it really make sense to put such a high proportion of marginal people in one building without the social mix you would expect in normal society (lower- middle- and upper-income residents)? You'd have the same issues you have in the DTES - lots of marginal people in one block leads to the parasites that feed on them migrating there (drug dealers, prostitutes, thieves, etc.) I like the suggestion that they should look at the Granville Island neighbourhood of how to do this right.

[LeftCoaster]

While I totally agree in most cases (in fact I wrote my honours thesis on mixed income housing), the people who use this housing are in an entirely different category than those in Granville.

While mixed use social housing works great for 90% of the population, there are certain people who are simply not suited to living in normal environments, be it due to mental illness, severe drug addiction or sociopathic behavour. The unfortunate truth is that at this point we dont have a better solution for this small segment of people aside from providing them this style of shelter, where they are segregated and monitored.

[SpongeG]

there is social housing everywhere though - most of the time you don't even notice it

but yes it can go wrong att times but for the most part its not too bad if their are prgorams to help the residents and their kids get in good schools

[zivan56]

The last thing that area needs is something like this. I used to live there in the early to mid 90s and the landlord for the building had to chase away drug dealers/hookers on an hourly basis from the property...crime was a serious issue and break in were happening each day in the building. Only now has it improved quite a bit, but this would just create the same problems again. Having so many people with mental/drug problems is going to be a disaster for the area.

[sacrifice333]

I'm not sure if I should throw this in the Infill thread since it's proposed at 15 stories...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2226/4299726654_97c1af0ee2_b.jpg

Site in question is just to the West of WSIX lofts on 6th Ave between Granville & Fir.

[SpongeG]

granville island - used to be a parking garage - now it will be?? parking or something else?

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/8855/dsc07153p.jpg
pic by me

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/6140/dsc07152z.jpg
pic by me

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8735/dsc07130n.jpg
pic by me

[officedweller]

That was the building that was condemned at one time and had to be reconstructed.

[jlousa]

This seems like its serious this time around, loads of info at the below link. I look forward to seeing this proceed and hopeful a new wave of similar style developments across the region.

Larco Investments Ltd. has applied to the City of Vancouver to rezone 4255 Arbutus Street (Arbutus Centre). The application proposes a phased redevelopment of the existing shopping centre site, following the 2008 Arbutus Centre Policy Statement. Proposed are four new building blocks including two new streets. The blocks on the eastern portion on the site (fronting onto Arbutus Street) consist of two floors of retail and office, with residential development above. The blocks on the western portion on the site are primarily residential. Building heights are 6, 7, and 8 stories plus mezzanine. Included within the development is a food store, liquor store, retail and restaurant uses, offices, financial institution, an underground self storage, and a community amenity space. Residential comprises 59, 295 square metres in 508 units of which 64 are seniors rental, 45 are market rental, and 46 are potential lock-off suites. 2,694 square metres of community amenity space is proposed. 255 parking spaces are proposed for commercial and 553 for residential.

http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/4255arbutus/index.htm

[SpongeG]

there is a building on broadway in mt pleasant that is completely gone now - its just a couple blocks west of main street - whats going to go there?

[Kodii]

there is a building on broadway in mt pleasant that is completely gone now - its just a couple blocks west of main street - whats going to go there?

It is where the fire was?

[jsbertram]

The last thing that area needs is something like this. I used to live there in the early to mid 90s and the landlord for the building had to chase away drug dealers/hookers on an hourly basis from the property...crime was a serious issue and break in were happening each day in the building. Only now has it improved quite a bit, but this would just create the same problems again. Having so many people with mental/drug problems is going to be a disaster for the area.

When I moved to vancouver, the first place I lived in was at Fraser & 7th. I wouldn't let my parents visit until I moved to a better neighbourhood. I decided to move the day that I came home from work to find the building manager standing at the front door with a shotgun nearby. Turns out the pimp & hooker in one of the suites had a massive fight about her 'work schedule', so he tossed her clothes over the balcony & set them on fire on the front lawn. Cops came & took him away on outstanding warrants, and the building owner changed all the locks to make sure they couldn't come back.

I laughed when I saw recently that the building was condo-ized & how much the yuppies are spending to be in 'trendy town' near main street & oh-so close to downtown.

[jsbertram]

granville island - used to be a parking garage - now it will be?? parking or something else?

...

Olympic Party House, perhaps?

[jsbertram]

there is a building on broadway in mt pleasant that is completely gone now - its just a couple blocks west of main street - whats going to go there?

One block west is Broadway /Quebec:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=vancouver&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=29.910058,56.513672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Vancouver,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia,+Canada&ll=49.262961,-123.102829&spn=0.000751,0.002747&z=19&layer=c&cbll=49.262966,-123.102961&panoid=asAaTKC0ddi7x9wrMW-RYA&cbp=12,229.61,,0,-1.86

South West corner is supposed to be new condos (quel surprise?) but I can't remember the name.

[jsbertram]

It is where the fire was?

The recent one was East of Main.
Actually at Broadway / Kingsway:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=vancouver&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=29.910058,56.513672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Vancouver,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia,+Canada&ll=49.262877,-123.099765&spn=0.000758,0.002747&z=19&layer=c&cbll=49.262953,-123.099455&panoid=SYSwv7vZOT4AYPIlpHi48A&cbp=12,211.3,,0,1.04

Nothing like urban renewal by Arson -- I mean an unfortunate accident

[SpongeG]

ah yeah probably the one that has sport check in it perhaps? that kind of thing I guess?

they were really demolishing the old building with care looks like they salvaged most of it

[AlexYVR]

Don't know if it's been posted yet but rumour has it that a Tim Horton's/Wendy's combo is going in on Main between Broadway and 10th where Slickety Jim's used to be. Not to be a hipster but really?? Timmy Ho's on Main and Broadway? It's like if someone replaced a strip club with a Starbucks!

Oh, shit. Wait.

[jsbertram]

Don't know if it's been posted yet but rumour has it that a Tim Horton's/Wendy's combo is going in on Main between Broadway and 10th where Slickety Jim's used to be. Not to be a hipster but really?? Timmy Ho's on Main and Broadway? It's like if someone replaced a strip club with a Starbucks!

Oh, shit. Wait.

The Courier is saying the former CIBC bank on the Main/Broadway corner (most recently a condo sales office) will become either a Tims or a Tims/Wendys. Can you see the golden arches forming nearby?

I expect the locals to purposely boycott it to protest the trendy-fication of the area. Enough pass-through bus users will drop in to make it profitable though.

[officedweller]

That was supposed to be a loft condo called Dwell by Holborn. Not sure whose it is now.

[David]

i'm pretty sure that tim hortons and wendys ended their partnership and no new stores will open with them together. The existing franchises with both continue to operate

[officedweller]

Broadway & Arbutus by Pinnacle:

http://www.broadwayliving.ca/

[Prometheus]

Broadway & Arbutus by Pinnacle:

http://www.broadwayliving.ca/

Is that the IGA parking lot?

[jlousa]

Yes that's the site.

[Coldrsx]

That will be a great addition to that area but i wish someone would tell pinnacle to not use 1997 interiors.

[osirisboy]

Broadway & Arbutus by Pinnacle:

http://www.broadwayliving.ca/

is it just the parking lot or will it also be where that garden centre is?

[SFUVancouver]

^ It will be the entire parking lot site up to the railway tracks. There is technically a lane in the centre of the block and the IGA and liquor store face on to that. However once the construction begins the IGA will have to close because they will have no parking and the lane will be in use for construction vehicles.

An interesting note about the project; the design team was required by the City's Planning Dept and CoV Rapid Transit Office to leave room on the site for the footprint of up to three transit station entrances. The City required adequate setbacks from the Broadway property line to allow for the construction of a station box under Broadway east of Arbutus with a station house emerging basically where the David Hunter plant centre is now. The City also required a below-grade right of way to connect the "David Hunter" station house to a station box under 10th Avenue east of Arbutus. The third setback was at grade and it is for a LRT/tram station on the Arbutus Corridor railway tracks between Broadway and 10th.

At the UDP meeting for this project I enquired whether a decision had been made on which alignment would be used for the UBC Line/M-Line Completion. The response was 'no', but we want to keep both options open.

For what it is worth I think this project is woefully small for the importance of this site. It will sit atop both a rapid transit station and an LRT/tram line. A seven storey condo with small shops at grade is just not enough for that site. Proposing something the scale of Woodwards would probably kill off half of the Kerrisdale preservation set, but frankly that is what that site should warrant. Offices, housing, stores, education, arts venues, and a public events space are exactly what we should expect for hyper-connected sites in our city, especially Broadway and Commercial.

[allan_kuan]

agreed... the building looks too small...

actually that reminds me of the crossroads development at cambie and broadway, which is also too small...

[twoNeurons]

I found this nice Time lapse of Vancouver:
Enjoy:
4fu3MkvC3w0

(Looks great in HD)

[wrenegade]

^Someone emailed that to me the other day, it's fantastic. With regards to the IGA site/Broadway Living, I think it's about as big as they could go. It took two tries (from different developers) to get Pulse to get built because of opposition from residents, something akin to Woodwards would probably cause mass heart attacks.

[jsbertram]

^ It will be the entire parking lot site up to the railway tracks. There is technically a lane in the centre of the block and the IGA and liquor store face on to that. However once the construction begins the IGA will have to close because they will have no parking and the lane will be in use for construction vehicles.

An interesting note about the project; the design team was required by the City's Planning Dept and CoV Rapid Transit Office to leave room on the site for the footprint of up to three transit station entrances. The City required adequate setbacks from the Broadway property line to allow for the construction of a station box under Broadway east of Arbutus with a station house emerging basically where the David Hunter plant centre is now. The City also required a below-grade right of way to connect the "David Hunter" station house to a station box under 10th Avenue east of Arbutus. The third setback was at grade and it is for a LRT/tram station on the Arbutus Corridor railway tracks between Broadway and 10th.

At the UDP meeting for this project I enquired whether a decision had been made on which alignment would be used for the UBC Line/M-Line Completion. The response was 'no', but we want to keep both options open.

For what it is worth I think this project is woefully small for the importance of this site. It will sit atop both a rapid transit station and an LRT/tram line. A seven storey condo with small shops at grade is just not enough for that site. Proposing something the scale of Woodwards would probably kill off half of the Kerrisdale preservation set, but frankly that is what that site should warrant. Offices, housing, stores, education, arts venues, and a public events space are exactly what we should expect for hyper-connected sites in our city, especially Broadway and Commercial.

I think this is why the locals were so upset about this development. With the IGA and liquor store hidden behind it (out of sight - out of mind), the south half of the block will eventually be redeveloped too, which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone since IGA already has a new store two blocks west on Broadway.

As long as the building masses on the south half of the block aren't too overwhelming (as seen from Broadway), the developer could build something bigger than the Broadway side of the block.

I thought I read that the north half (currently the parking lot) and the south half of the block (currently IGA) were separate parcels with a city-owned alley between them, and these parcels are owned by different companies. If so, the compromises made to get "Pinnacle On Broadway" built may not apply to the south half of the block, but they would likely be used as precedent by the locals whenever the south half comes up for rezoning.