[officedweller]

Came across this for Little Mountain Neighbourhood House - Main & 23rd - at the NSDA Architects website

http://www.nsda.bc.ca/community.cfm?GalleryID=264

https://www.assemblystation.com/images/nsda/galleries/DC5E928B-CF16-E32C-7A51A294D25B6F77-full.jpg


Community and public buildings portfolio: Little Mountain Neighbourhood House

The proposed Little Mountain Neighbourhood House is a replacement for the current facility located in the 3900 block of Main Street.

The goals

The LMNH organization, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, performs a vital role in the Little Mountain / Riley Park neighbourhood of Vancouver, providing needed educational, cultural, recreational and social services. The program includes multipurpose spaces, classrooms, computer labs, offices, a seniors’ lounge and a pre-school centre.

The proposed neighbourhood house is a simple three-storey concrete building with one level of underground parking. Built to the setback lines on all three ground floor property lines, it is intended that the building be a welcoming, transparent building, showing activity to Main Street and the neighbourhood. It is hoped that a recognizable and identifiable building will increase membership.

The result

A strong, materially rich street wall is created along Main Street. A cantilevered glazed bay projects out on level two. This bay emerges from a brick-clad mass which is set along the setback line. This glazed bay will allow activity to be seen in the house day and night and act as a transparent signboard for the LMNH. A recessed entry complete with community bulletin boards and benches is provided at the corner of Main Street and 23rd Avenue.

The elevations of the building respond to their orientations. The south elevation has horizontal sun louvers while the west side has vertical and horizontal louvers to minimize heat buildup and glare in the building. Proposed materials are simple and urban in nature. They include brick, exposed concrete, metal cladding and high performance glazing.

The project is a registered LEED® Canada NC 1.0 project. It is intended that the building achieve a LEED Gold rating.

[osirisboy]

wow thats a piece of crap

[flight_from_kamakura]

^^ hahahah

seriously. and the current building is perfectly good, and if it weren't, they should go higher and more interesting, montreal-style:

http://b.imagehost.org/0735/DSC_3195copie.jpg

[LeftCoaster]

Wow... you have got to be kidding me.

That thing looks like it belongs in Pee-wee Herman's playhouse

[Metro-One]

I would take LMNH any day over what looks like lego/target's head office. I find it so funny how pessimistic people are on this forum towards Vancouver projects. Whenever a development adds color on a project in Vancouver everyone hates it, but then you give praise to this monstrosity in Montreal? I would also take spectrum any day over this!

[officedweller]

Yeah, the LMNH looks like a nice piece of modernist architecture - strange how its all in the institutional and social housing projects and not market housing - i.e. the projects not dumbed down for broad appeal in marketing campaigns, huh?

++++++++++

BTW - the facing is up on the "First" condo project at First & Burrard. The facing is the buff coloured faux stone used elsewhere - like on Grace and on MoDe (Smithe & Richards). Looks good.

[osirisboy]

Yeah, the LMNH looks like a nice piece of modernist architecture - strange how its all in the institutional and social housing projects and not market housing - i.e. the projects not dumbed down for broad appeal in marketing campaigns, huh?


personally i like those other projects you are speaking of however with regards to the LMNH I just think its ugly based on the other renderings.

[zivan56]

Another shot:
http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff339/entheos1977/DSCF7669.jpg?t=1222655176


Is that the Skytrain that was sent back to test the new propulsion system? Any chance you can zoom in on the original picture and check the number in the front? Kind of strange they are (un)loading it there and not the OMC.

[officedweller]

Wow - good catch!

[SpongeG]

Vancouver Playhouse digs its new home


http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/5f4aa900-9e28-4adf-a6a3-afa5261ed237/reimer.jpg?size=l
CREDIT: Ian Smith/Vancouver Sun
Playhouse Theatre Artistic Director Max Reimer on site.


VANCOUVER - Max Reimer is a man outstanding in his field. In our photo he's also the man out standing in a field, in this case the empty space along First Avenue at False Creek where the Playhouse Theatre Company has pegged its hopes for a bright new future.

Reimer is the new artistic managing director for the Playhouse. He runs both the artistic and business sides of the operation, and is overseeing plans by the Playhouse to move into new space to be built by developer Peter Wall across the street from the Olympic Village.

Wall Financial Group is developing the entire block along First Avenue between Columbia and Manitoba streets into a condominium complex featuring 399 suites in four small towers on a podium. After the Games end in 2010, Reimer and his staff will shift from cramped rented offices on Second Avenue to a brand-new facility featuring all the bells and whistles a theatre company needs - rehearsal rooms, shops for building sets and crafting costumes, lots of storage space for sets and props and, best of all, a 250-seat theatre.

Before then, however, he has a whole lot of digging to do. Reimer will be burrowing into the Playhouse books - and his own extensive knowledge of arts financing - to concoct a capital campaign to pay for the new space. Having already handled a $2.2 million retrofit for the historic Huron Country Playhouse in Ontario, as well as eliminating at $5.5 million debt at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton, Reimer's ready for a new challenge.

"How interesting to be raising money for something new," he says, "something Vancouver really wants, in a part of town that will very much become a hotspot by every indication."

When he talks about the new building, with condominiums built around the Playhouse facilities, Reimer jokes that he's starting to sound like Wall's agent.

"What he's offering is a living choice," says Reimer. "People have to live somewhere and, if you choose Vancouver, here is an opportunity with water and a cultural setting. The appeals of the place are about living as opposed to investing."

Given the softening nature of the real-estate market here, Reimer is not unaware that one hand washes the other.

"More than ever, he needs us as much as we need him," says Reimer of Wall, "and I think he's going to be very happy to see a vibrant artistic community spring up. Being set in there, I feel like we're the jewel in the crown."

Reimer is also keenly aware of the Playhouse's precarious position as Vancouver's pre-eminent theatre company. Subscriptions are down and funding gets harder to find by the day; Reimer notes that his staff feels the Playhouse is held to a higher standard by audiences and critics.

"I keep saying that's a good thing," notes Reimer. "I think we have to be held to higher standards. If the audiences or critics are a little rougher on us, that goes with the territory of saying you're more likely to have an experience that's going to stick with you for years to come. That's a very high claim but a very high calling as well, and a very exciting thing to work on."

Reimer sees the False Creek neighbourhood now being built as becoming a big part of the Playhouse plan to attract business.

"Part of the excitement of going to theatre," he notes, "is the entire experience of actually going to the theatre, whether it's strolling on the boardwalk to Granville Island or through Vanier Park to the tents [at Bard on the Beach]. Audiences in a lot of places, but especially Vancouver, really enjoy the experience of going out in lovely surroundings; like allowing the wine to breath, or tasting the ginger before the sushi, it's getting your palette ready for the experience."

Reimer and his staff have been working closely with the city to ensure the Playhouse at False Creek is a focal point for more than just one group's artistic endeavours. The company's shops and rehearsal spaces have always been open to use by the likes of Bard on the Beach or The Electric Company; Reimer expects that cooperation to not only continue but expand in the new space.

Meanwhile, he's just as keen to see the city develop a "cultural precinct" downtown around the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The Playhouse will continue to offer its mainstage season at a 650-seat city-owned facility on Hamilton at Dunsmuir, behind the QET, and Reimer has been keen to see the area become a fashionable fulcrum between Yaletown and Gastown.

"Whether you're in Prague or Krakow or a little London theatre," he says, "there are many theatres that are successful in downtown cores. It's just a matter of creating the right aesthetics, parking and lighting and restaurants and so on. Those are the things that help the exterior experience to be inviting - now, of course, once they arrive it's up to us to deliver the exciting theatre that they would expect."

Reimer is proud of the fact that in 12 seasons with Theatre Aquarius, he was not only able to present 99 productions of Canadian plays, but to offer more than half of them in the larger of two theatres.

"I don't think that Canadian plays belong in smaller theatres," he insists. "There are Canadian plays with huge appeal and until our authors are heard from the "A" category stages [Canada's principal stages], they don't truly make a living."

After 16 years in Ontario, Reimer still considers himself "Vancouver through and through." But he won't be averse to looking east.

"We are part of the cultural railroad across Canada. I feel the Playhouse was intended as a spike of cultural connection across Canada and out to the English-speaking world."

In 2004, the Playhouse announced it would restrict programming to plays written after the Second World War. Reimer is reluctant to make any change to that policy before consulting the entire company, but does declare "my feeling is that a mandate should be an enabler and not a prohibition."

Speaking of prohibition, or rather Prohibition, Reimer can't contain his excitement about the coup his company scored with its upcoming production. The Drowsy Chaperone is a flapper-era Canadian comedy (with a musical built in) that started small - so small, in fact, that it was initially just a sketch at a Toronto wedding reception.

Growing like Topsy, it soon reached Broadway.

"When it went to New York they didn't really understand it was a parody of musical theatre," says Reimer, "so they gave it five Tonys."

Producers consistently refuse to release their Broadway baby to a regional theatre such as the Playhouse until it has toured extensively. The money behind The Drowsy Chaperone decided otherwise.

"These guys are more sensitive in that regard," says Reimer. "They know that they weren't routed to come to Vancouver, they knew of my experience in musical theatre and they know of the great reputation of the Playhouse, so they thought, 'Why not?'"

Sun Theatre Critic

pbirnie@vancouversun.com

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/arts/story.html?id=0f1fb8d2-c7d1-4274-947b-abca4801e3bd

[entheosfog]

Is that the Skytrain that was sent back to test the new propulsion system? Any chance you can zoom in on the original picture and check the number in the front? Kind of strange they are (un)loading it there and not the OMC.

I tried zooming in but I can't read the numbers. I guess I was too far away...

[jlousa]

Good news looks like the project at 901 Main St/190 Prior is going to go ahead after all. Here's the latest renderings, nothing spectacular but great infill. It's a pretty challenging site.

http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/190prior/streetscape.pdf

http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/190prior/ewelevations.pdf

http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/190prior/nelevations.pdf

[LeftCoaster]

Wow, I actually really like that.

I knew the site was skinny but I guess I didn't realise quite how thin it actually is. Looking forward to this project.

[wrenegade]

That's a great looking project, really is skinny. Cool though, not something you see very often around here.

[subdude]

Crossroads photo by me:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/2925893604_68ffb49bdc_o.jpg

[phesto]

Details on the new Coastal Ford site development at Main and 17th (being developed by Bastion?) here: http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/devapps/3333main/

103 residential units above about 20,000 sq ft of retail. Looks like an interesting building - long and narrow.

[fever]

Those are very detailed images.

The brick should look good.

[jlousa]

More pictures regarding the SE Marine Dr Canadian Tire/Shoppers/Pet Smart/Best Buy/Bed Bath and Beyond development. I'm really looking forward to this one.
Also included are some renderings of the Murphys Yard development in SEFC. All these are courtesy of the Public Arts committee at city hall. Enjoy.

http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/civicagencies/publicart/documents/ag20081020.pdf

[LeftCoaster]

Wow, im loving how SEFC is coming along, great density and tons of parkland. Continuing on the quality neighbourhood planning left off from granville/fairview.

Thanks for the update jlousa.

[officedweller]

Thanks!

[SpongeG]

the Canadian tire on grandview opens soon i think

there is huge drill bit as "art" on the site

looks ok but doesn't look like the rest is as near to open as the can tire

[fever]

More pictures regarding the SE Marine Dr Canadian Tire/Shoppers/Pet Smart/Best Buy/Bed Bath and Beyond development. I'm really looking forward to this one.
Also included are some renderings of the Murphys Yard development in SEFC. All these are courtesy of the Public Arts committee at city hall. Enjoy.

http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/civicagencies/publicart/documents/ag20081020.pdf

file's gone now and the agenda date says cancelled

[osirisboy]

ah thats why i cant open it

[jlousa]

I should've saved it. Guess the city noticed too many people peeking at it. ;)

Edit....Looks like the meeting was cancelled so the document might come back online in a month or so.
There wasn't too much in it just some renderings or the SE Marine drive development and of Murphys Yard in SEFC (won't even break ground until mid 2010)

[jlousa]

Few updates courtesy of the city.

Looks like Vancouver will be getting 122 new taxis next year. They are also trying to make Vancouver have the lowest carbon producing taxi fleet in North America.

A few changes to the building code that makes it easier to be green, I've been really impressed with the changes council has made. We are definately one of the leaders in this dept. New Changes include height relaxations if used to provide accessible green roof, solar panels, turbines. Allowance for thicker walls (more insulation), more overhang (passive shading) and a few more.

http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20081028/documents/tt1.pdf

And way too much info to summarize regarding the Canada Line contruction, I'll post this one in that thread as well.

http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20081028/documents/tt2.pdf

[osirisboy]

thats great about the taxis. although we could use a lot more. does anyone know how many new ones we've gotten in recent years?

[jlousa]

Looks like V6A is on hold now. It's too bad as I really liked this project. Apparently they only have 38% presold.

[jlousa]

Few more goodies thanks to the city. I think we need good news on here. :tup:

Maybe someone with time can you capture the pics and details to share with everyone.

Pictures of the planned changes to the north lawn at city hall here.
http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20081028/documents/a20.pdf

Also some modest changes to the GAteways of Granville St and Oak St coming in from Richmond.
http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/documents/a16.pdf

And more info on the Hasting Park/PNE masterplan.
http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/documents/a17.pdf


Also the Save-On at Grandview and Rupert should open in Jan/09, while the one at King Ed Village looks like it will be 8 more months but still scheduled to open.

[officedweller]

Looks like V6A is on hold now. It's too bad as I really liked this project. Apparently they only have 38% presold.

In follow-up:

Province investigating condo developer Onni
Updated: Fri Oct. 24 2008 22:18:24

ctvbc.ca

A major developer in Metro Vancouver is being investigated by an arm of the provincial government after CTV found it was still selling condos even though construction has been halted at the project.

It's a big name developer, which has been building in Metro Vancouver for decades.

On Thursday, the Onni Group of Companies which is behind the V6A condo complex near Main and Union streets in Vancouver -- said the project has been postponed. But when CTV went to the sales center -- we discovered the units were still being offered for pre-sale -- and perspective buyers were not being told the project was on hold.

Now B.C.'s Superintendent of Real Estate is investigating.

"We have contacted the developer and asked for an update,'' said L. Jay Mitchell, B.C.'s Deputy Superintendent of Real Estate.

"We've indicated they have to make an amendment to their disclosure statement,'' she said. "We're making inquires about the deposits and the status of the project

The situation at Main and Union has not escaped the attention of NDP Housing critic Diane Thorne.

"I could hardly believe what I was seeing and hearing on television,'' she said. "It's the best example I have ever seen of the lack of consumer protection in British Columbia."

Meanwhile, any new protection for presale buyers would start with the B.C. Finance Minister Colin Hansen.

"If there's way we can strengthen the regulation and the procedures developers must follow, we are certainly willing to take a look at those and if we can do it in a way that makes sense, we will certainly be ready to do that,'' Hansen said.

Asked if he will looking into the situation at Onni, Hansen said he likely will. "I will certainly be looking into this particular example to see what lessons we can learn from it,'' he said.

As for the future of the V6A project, on Thursday, Onni's vice-president of development Beau Jarvis said he wasn't sure.

"I wouldn't say there is a timeline at this point,'' he said.

On Friday, Onni's executive vice president Chris Evans called CTV News and said that while he doesn't know when construction will resume, Onni plans on finishing the project sometime in 2010.

He declined an invitation to do an on camera interview.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Shannon Paterson

[LeftCoaster]

The situation at Main and Union has not escaped the attention of NDP Housing critic Diane Thorne.

"I could hardly believe what I was seeing and hearing on television,'' she said. "It's the best example I have ever seen of the lack of consumer protection in British Columbia."

This is one of the best examples of partisan slandering of another government for absolutely no reason. What a joke. Is the government supposed to codgle the populace at every turn? At what point does any problem stop being a fault of the Liberals according to the NDP? Frankly if someone is stupid enough to be putting a down payment on this project when all it takes is one quick google search to find out the project is on hold, they deserve to lose their misplaced investment; after all, a fool and their money are soon parted.

[TwoFace]

This is one of the best examples of partisan slandering of another government for absolutely no reason.

The issue here is that Onni is in "violation" of the rules as set out by the Superintendent of Insurance (Real estate governing body) and also REDMA (Real estate development marketing act).
It's bad business practice to take money from a client when your not planing on providing a product in return.

[zivan56]

Pre sales should be completely banned if there is no guarantee of time frame or completion date or a huge contingency fund by the developer. It would be like going to buy a new car and the dealer saying: "I'll give you a tiny cash discount, but the car may never come, or it may within 3 years, but nobody really knows. There are no guarantees whatsoever that we'll be in business as well."

[sacrifice333]

Pre sales should be completely banned if there is no guarantee of time frame or completion date or a huge contingency fund by the developer. It would be like going to buy a new car and the dealer saying: "I'll give you a tiny cash discount, but the car may never come, or it may within 3 years, but nobody really knows. There are no guarantees whatsoever that we'll be in business as well."

5 years ago pre-sales were sold at a discount to market and there was a reasonable assumption that the actual market value would also increase by occupancy.

From about 3 years ago until now pre-sales have been sold at or above market value at sales time.

If pre-sales are to survive developers will have to get pretty creative and start to sell them at a significant discount to current market value given the present global financial condition.

[vanman]

This is one of the best examples of partisan slandering of another government for absolutely no reason. What a joke. Is the government supposed to codgle the populace at every turn? At what point does any problem stop being a fault of the Liberals according to the NDP? Frankly if someone is stupid enough to be putting a down payment on this project when all it takes is one quick google search to find out the project is on hold, they deserve to lose their misplaced investment; after all, a fool and their money are soon parted.

True, but that is the nature of politics. When Glen Clark was in power, Gordon Campbell as the leader of the oppositon slandered the NDP on a seemingly daily basis. It was annoying as hell back then too.

[AlexYVR]

Surrey's Sky Towers development fails to get financing and permits
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 | 2:43 PM ET Comments3Recommend14CBC News

Another Metro Vancouver condominium project has gone off the rails after the developer failed to secure the financing and permit to get it underway.

At 36- and 40-storeys tall, the two buildings in the Sky Towers project in Surrey were to be the tallest condos in Western Canada outside of Calgary and Vancouver.

But by Monday, the developer Young In Development headed by South Korean businessman Hee Yong Yang had failed to secure financing and building permits needed to begin construction.

That means the 880 buyers who put down deposits on pre-sales agreements now have the option of pulling out, according to Jay Mitchell, the deputy superintendent of credit unions, trusts and real estate with B.C.'s Financial Institutions Commission in Surrey.

"The purchasers should be able to contact the real estate agent and the developer and say this project is not going forward, we would like our deposits back," said Mitchell

When CBC News spoke to the developer's office, they said most buyers are not asking for their money back. But several buyers did tell CBC News they were planning to pull their deposits out.

So far no construction of the project has begun. The development manager, however, said the owner isn't giving up on the project and is looking at a joint venture with other developers.

When the units in the towers were first put on sale last November, the booming sales set a record for the most condos sold in a single weekend for a Metro Vancouver project.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/10/28/bc-sky-towers-fails.html

[mr.x]

What would Jesus do?

[twoNeurons]

What would Jesus do?

He wouldn't have bought in the first place. He never owned property (http://bible.cc/luke/9-58.htm).

[jlousa]

New "to me at least" site by the city. Lots of great info on the citys olympic host site.

http://olympichostcity.vancouver.ca/

[AlexYVR]

What would Jesus do?

He probably would have kept his eyes on the street like Jane Jacobs advised.

[jlousa]

Havent heard about this one, anyone have any insight? Sounds like good infill.


538-560 W Broadway Zoning: CD-1
Applicant Contact: Tomas Wolf Studio One Architecture
Description: To rezone this site from C-3A to CD-1 to permit an 8-storey mixed-use commercial building containing Retail use on the first and second storeys and Office use on the third through eighth storeys, over three levels of underground parking. The proposed FSR 5.04 and the proposed building height is approximately 104 ft.

[LeftCoaster]

No I dont have any insight... but this mystery project might have a shiny new neighbour too ;)

[officedweller]

538-560 W Broadway Zoning: CD-1


That would be south side, mid-block on the block west of Cambie.
I wonder if the 8 stories is because it still falls under the City Hall view cone?
i.e. same height as Crossroads?

[LeftCoaster]

Sounds about right, corssroads had the exact same breakout of retail to office.

[djh]

Havent heard about this one, anyone have any insight? Sounds like good infill.


538-560 W Broadway Zoning: CD-1
Applicant Contact: Tomas Wolf Studio One Architecture
Description: To rezone this site from C-3A to CD-1 to permit an 8-storey mixed-use commercial building containing Retail use on the first and second storeys and Office use on the third through eighth storeys, over three levels of underground parking. The proposed FSR 5.04 and the proposed building height is approximately 104 ft.

Are you sure that's not old? Because that sounds like the location of the Crossroads development, and the configuration sounds remarkably similar (retail, topped by office). Plus, the sites across the road from Crossroads are multiple individual landlords, almost all occupied and thriving, and I don't see any For Sale signs up.

What's the date of that dev app?

[vanlaw]

Are you sure that's not old? Because that sounds like the location of the Crossroads development, and the configuration sounds remarkably similar (retail, topped by office). Plus, the sites across the road from Crossroads are multiple individual landlords, almost all occupied and thriving, and I don't see any For Sale signs up.

What's the date of that dev app?

Wrong side of road - even numbers on south side, odd numbers on north.

[phesto]

No, this is midblock on the south side. It's being done by Orca West Developments - I haven't seen the project, but they do nice infill stuff - they did the Black Swan on 4th in kits for reference.

I know the Cambie corner is being renovated (or redeveloped?) as well with upgraded retail - I guess this is what Leftcoaster alluded to...

[squeezied]

mixed use... NO RESIDENTIAL?? hmm wonder y... :P :D

[officedweller]

BTW - the block on the corner with the Original Joe's and Starbucks - the redevelopment of that site is critical to the development/funding of an underground passage from the Broadway City Hall Station to the NW corner entrance being roughed in at the Crossroads (not to mention an entrance at the SW corner). The punch out panel on the station mezzanine faces either that building or the VanCity building and the passge would run alongside that site. Hopefully the piecemeal (small scale) development of that block won't preclude the funding of the undergound passage (i.e. it may have to be built with public funds rather than being developer-funded)

[sacrifice333]

It's being done by Orca West Developments - I haven't seen the project, but they do nice infill stuff - they did the Black Swan on 4th in kits for reference.

There stuff looks nice on the outside... inside quality is another story. :sly:

[entheosfog]

I noticed the old chapel on Broadway at Commercial has been torn down and looks like some excavation work has begun on the site...

[officedweller]

That's for a 4 storey social services / health clinic.

[officedweller]

From the Courier - former Home Depot site at Broadway & Maple now to be developed by Pinnacle. Gee, the new IGA is "unpopular" so the old one needs to be retained....

Residents rally around threatened grocery store

Cheryl Rossi, Vancouver Courier
Published: Friday, November 07, 2008

If a proposed development gets the go-ahead, a seven-storey development will replace the parking lot of the IGA grocery store at West Broadway and Maple.

That has some residents concerned for the future of the grocery store. "As soon as they dig a hole, open the ground, the IGA can't function anymore because there'll be nowhere for people to park," said Veronica Ross, who lives a couple of blocks from the site.

She said residents don't want to lose the grocery store and want to know what will replace it.

"They're basically piecemeal developing it," she said. "What the neighbourhood would like is a comprehensive plan of the entire site."

The property between West Broadway, Maple, West 10th Avenue and the Arbutus Corridor is two different sites. The north portion with the parking lot and David Hunter Garden Centre is zoned commercial and allows for residential development. The IGA and liquor store sit on land that's zoned for industrial use. The 20 feet between the front of the grocery and liquor stores and the parking lot is a city-owned lane.

Pinnacle International proposes a seven-storey development on the north half, with 20,000 square feet of retail at grade, 120,000 square feet of residential in the six storeys above and underground parking.

A massive Home Depot store was proposed for the site by the property's previous owner, but quashed in 2004.

The zoning policies and guidelines developed in 2004 as a result of the Home Depot controversy could be the reason why Pinnacle is developing its land piece by piece.

Michael Naylor, a planner in the city's rezoning centre, said according to the 2004 guidelines if a developer is to plan the site as a whole with a comprehensive plan, the allowable density would be blended across the north and south portions and not increased.

"So the developer looks at it and goes 'Why should I go through the hassle of a rezoning and comprehensive planning process?'" he said. "The residents need to understand if you want the policies to toe the line on density, then you can't expect people to want to go through a comprehensive planning. You need a bit of a carrot there for the developers to want to enter into it."

Scott Barker, a project facilitator with the city, says Pinnacle's plans, which were presented to the public by Coriolis Consulting at open houses Sept. 10 and last week, include a grocery and liquor store in the new development.

Ross says the grocery store would be half the size of the IGA.

A new IGA operates two blocks away at the corner of West Broadway and Vine, but Ross said the cramped, underground store is unpopular with local residents. She added a condo with 36 units for people with disabilities is behind the old IGA while the below-grade Vine IGA offers only elevator access for people in wheelchairs.

Barker said more than 100 residents attended the first open house and close to 100 attended the second, and the primary concern was the loss of the IGA.

Ross also worries about traffic. She said Pinnacle proposes reducing the four entrances and exits to one off Maple Street.

"Everything's happening on Maple, so when the parents drop their kids off at [Lord Tennyson elementary] school, it's just going to make traffic almost impossible," she said.

Ross wonders if a replacement liquor store would be permitted under city bylaws, which prohibit liquor stores from being located 150 metres from a church, park, elementary or secondary school, community centre or neighbourhood house. Lord Tennyson is kitty corner from the southern portion of the site.

Coriolis Consulting declined to speak on behalf of its client, and Pinnacle International did not return the Courier's calls.

© Vancouver Courier 2008

[mooks28]

From the Courier - former Home Depot site at Broadway & Maple now to be developed by Pinnacle. Gee, the new IGA is "unpopular" so the old one needs to be retained....

I wonder how much of this is being driven by the Union? The Maple one is unionized whereas the one on Vine is not. I drove by on opening day for the Vine store and there were pickets out in front because of it.

[SpongeG]

maybe its just on the wrong side of the tracks ;)

[fever]

Elevators must be so humiliating when you're disabled. And the liquor store is so convenient for those poor elementary school teachers. Won't someone please think of the school teachers!

[biketrouble]

Definitely some unintended consequences flowing from the Home Depot decision, who could have predicted, eh?

The Maple St IGA is my local grocery (3 block walk) and my most regular shopping place - I will miss it if it goes. On the other hand I can't help thinking that a large chunk of its popularity for most is that it is so car-oriented and I would be happy to see that change.

Regarding the snark about Liquor Stores and the proximity to schools - if we lose the store there, the nearest stores are at Granville and at Alma, so "central" Kits will be pretty underserved.

[officedweller]

Regarding the snark about Liquor Stores and the proximity to schools - if we lose the store there, the nearest stores are at Granville and at Alma, so "central" Kits will be pretty underserved.

BCLB would just find a new location that complies with zoning - it wouldn't leave a gap in the area coverage. i.e. it would find a new location a couple of blocks away - and may even spur other retail to co-locate. Not a big deal really.
I think the opposition is driven by the loss of convenient parking.

[jlousa]

Someone was asking about this project but I can't find that post anymore. Looks really nice for infill. It's done by Rize Alliance, they have a few interesting projects in the works. This one will be called Containers. It'll be 7 stories, 146,000sqft, LEED Gold, geothermal heating/cooling, under floor heating, Rooftop patio, showers and bike lockers, free gym for tenants, and will be completed in 2010.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/Containers1.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/Containers2.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/Containers3.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/Containers4.jpg

Link to pdf on the project, mentions some developments in the surrounding area.

http://www.rize.ca/stream_file.php?fileId=3&fileType=file&index=3

[SpongeG]

looks neat

[fever]

It looks ok. The south side (with the louvers, they look like louvers) is bland but not terrible. The parking entrance/exit is awkward being so close to the corner

[entheosfog]

Someone was asking about this project but I can't find that post anymore. Looks really nice for infill. It's done by Rize Alliance, they have a few interesting projects in the works. This one will be called Containers. It'll be 7 stories, 146,000sqft, LEED Gold, geothermal heating/cooling, under floor heating, Rooftop patio, showers and bike lockers, free gym for tenants, and will be completed in 2010.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/Containers1.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/Containers2.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/Containers3.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/Containers4.jpg

Link to pdf on the project, mentions some developments in the surrounding area.

http://www.rize.ca/stream_file.php?fileId=3&fileType=file&index=3

hey thanks! I was asking about that site because I noticed that sign had gone up there and it was strictly just a teaser billboard.

[Metro-One]

:previous: Where is this going?

[SpongeG]

on terminal near main - across from those two ugly buildings by the train/bus station...

[Metro-One]

Good, there are so many large ugly plots of open land in that area that need to be developed. (i am not talking about the rail yards, we need to keep those). Why is it that the two main ways of getting into Vancouver from the east (along hastings and first Ave/Terminal) are so dirty or fugly. Is the hospital idea still a go in that area? Because i think that is a great idea.

[vanman]

This is the direction Vancouver architecture needs to go. Although not spectacular Containers (stupid,stupid name) is sweet, above average infill.

[jlousa]

If you read the pdf link it shows some of the other developments scheduled for the area, the hospital is listed as is a new park behind the hospital. It's pretty well a given now that a hospital will be built there, the question though is when, and I can't see it being started for a good few years.
They also list a new Tim hortons at Terminal and Station St which will also have 13,000sqft of officespace. There the Red Truck brewery site which will also have quite a bit extra leasable space. I beleive the only remaining piece is the one owned by Chrysler/Cerberus which will probably be sold off.

[Architype]

Good, there are so many large ugly plots of open land in that area that need to be developed. (i am not talking about the rail yards, we need to keep those). Why is it that the two main ways of getting into Vancouver from the east (along hastings and first Ave/Terminal) are so dirty or fugly. Is the hospital idea still a go in that area? Because i think that is a great idea.
There are blocks and blocks of semi industrial and other uses in these areas. It's really cosmetically challenged within the context of the city, but those uses are necessary (and a little grit is nice). Those areas will provide lots of room for redevelopment in the future, but I think SE False Creek up towards Broadway will get much more immediate attention. However, I think the area right around Main and Terminal will improve rapidly with projects like the one shown above. This area is in a sense, the heart of the city.

[Metro-One]

:previous: No no no, i a not talking about the plots of land that are being used, i am taking about the big empty plots that are just mud, i would be happy if they were industrial sites, but they are nothing.

And by the dirty part i was talking about the disaster called east hastings, a little grit is good for a city in areas i agree, but not having North Americas poorest district as a "welcome to Vancouver" sign.

[officedweller]

Thanks! That building should look awesome. Is the Tim Horton's in the Long & McQuade Building?

Good, there are so many large ugly plots of open land in that area that need to be developed. (i am not talking about the rail yards, we need to keep those). Why is it that the two main ways of getting into Vancouver from the east (along hastings and first Ave/Terminal) are so dirty or fugly. Is the hospital idea still a go in that area? Because i think that is a great idea.

Much of that area (northest of the VIA Station) was previously rail yards that were decommissioned. The Grand Trunk Railway Station was located to the north of the existing VIA Station, but when Grand Trunk merged into CN, the station was demolished - can't recall when. The tracks remained until the 1980s or so I think. There were also more rail sidings on the south side of Terminal Ave that have been decommisisoned over time.

Here's a Global Air Photo from 1982 - shows the SkyTrain demonstration track too

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/vancouver/1982/vch1982_074.jpg

Similar shot from 2007 (couldn't find a 2008 shot from the same angle) - note the new City works yard in the wedge of what was railyards:
http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/vancouver/2007/vch2007_417.jpg

[rather_draconian]

The shiny metallic finish on that Containers building looks super cool. I like!

[jlousa]

The Tim hortons will be just west of the Long & McQuade Building right on the corner, apparently it'll have 13K of leasable space as well as plenty of parking according to the info I have. That location had been destined to be a new BK once the old one closes down, I guess there was a slight change of plans.

I've heard some recent talks of connecting Glen Drive across the tracks, anyone else hear anything?

[officedweller]

Thanks.
Haven't heard anything about Glen Drive - but that would be great.
Could relate to access to the VPD gun range project.

[Architype]

Here's a Global Air Photo from 1982 - shows the SkyTrain demonstration track too

I think it's later than 1982, BC Place wasn't built then. It was under construction though.

[SpongeG]

those plots were originally envisioned as an automall

much better to see whats going to go in there now than more dealerships

and speaking of dealerships - the chrysler on main is going out of business - i think its the one between mcdonalds and burger king - they said that rent was behind their decision

so I imagine something can start to happen with that area now

[entheosfog]

those plots were originally envisioned as an automall

much better to see whats going to go in there now than more dealerships

and speaking of dealerships - the chrysler on main is going out of business - i think its the one between mcdonalds and burger king - they said that rent was behind their decision

so I imagine something can start to happen with that area now

That new Coastal Ford dealership on Terminal recently finished but it totally turns its back on Terminal and just has their parking lot next to the road and the building further back. I was quite disappointed with that aspect.

[officedweller]

I think it's later than 1982, BC Place wasn't built then. It was under construction though.

Thta's the date that Global Air Photos quotes. He has other pics from 1982 with the inflation of the dome, so it was probably late 1982, before the opening in early 1983.

http://www.globalairphotos.com/gallery/BC/Vancouver/Downtown/1982/

[officedweller]

and speaking of dealerships - the chrysler on main is going out of business - i think its the one between mcdonalds and burger king - they said that rent was behind their decision


The newspaper said that they couldn't agree on terms with Chrysler Canada to lease Chrysler Canada's land on Terminal (so it'll probably be sold off).

[osirisboy]

I bought my car and truck from chrysler on main and all i can say is finally that piece of shit is closing, i hate them!!! one of the worst dealerships i have ever seen.

[entheosfog]

I bought my car and truck from chrysler on main and all i can say is finally that piece of shit is closing, i hate them!!! one of the worst dealerships i have ever seen.

I know it's a Chrysler thing and not to do with that particular dealership but I went in their a few months back to get a front license plate bracket for my Neon as I was finally registering it in BC. They wanted $90 for it! 90 dollars! I couldn't believe it. Just for a piece of plastic. I nearly told the guy to go to hell but I just walked out instead. Of course, waiting 5 minutes for someone to come to the counter didn't help out.
Yeah, just thought I'd throw that in....

[zivan56]

Looks like London Drugs is going to open quite soon in Crossroads...you can approach the entrance to it. They have a nice blue light on the entrance walls, which is quite interesting.

[hollywoodnorth]

Looks like London Drugs is going to open quite soon in Crossroads...you can approach the entrance to it. They have a nice blue light on the entrance walls, which is quite interesting.


on the topic of good old LD..........

FINALLY after 20 years plus of being over capacity........the LD on Robson will get a bit of breathing space.....it's funny I have mentioned this very idea to the store manager to suggest to head office many many times....

they are taking over the 1 CRU to the WEST of their store.....it will expand the entrance and cash area of the store.....apparently no plans to snag the unit to the EAST of them....but they sure should.

Looks like it will be done within 3 or 4 weeks....just in time for the X-mas rush....



ALSO a yoga place took over the old living shangri-la sales center on Alberni @ Bute.

[officedweller]

they are taking over the 1 CRU to the WEST of their store.....it will expand the entrance and cash area of the store.....apparently no plans to snag the unit to the EAST of them....but they sure should.

How does that relate to the stairway to Earl's? Is it to the west of the stairs or right behind the stairs?

[hollywoodnorth]

How does that relate to the stairway to Earl's? Is it to the west of the stairs or right behind the stairs?

ya the stairs will be left in place and its directly WEST of that.

http://flickr.com/photos/kushblog/286486965/

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/118/286486965_c0e7880d0d.jpg?v=0

if you look at the pic above its the unit to the far LEFT they are taking over :) oddly in the picture the unit to the EAST is for lease ;)

[officedweller]

Thanks! I forgot that the two entrances to LD are on either side of the Earl's stairs anyways. The west side of the store is the camera and electronics side - maybe that side warrants more expansion than the cosmetics side (east side).

[entheosfog]

Looks like London Drugs is going to open quite soon in Crossroads...you can approach the entrance to it. They have a nice blue light on the entrance walls, which is quite interesting.

I've seen ads for that London Drugs in 24 Hours the last couple of days saying it will open on Monday (17th) and grand opening 'festivities' on Tue.
Wonder what will go in the old location???

[zivan56]

^^ Good to know. I hope it is torn down and turned into low rise commercial space (~4-5 stories like surrounding buildings). There is no way it is more viable for the owner to keep it as is instead of selling it off or building something bigger.
EDIT: Here is a news release:

London Drugs says goodbye to historic store
Click here to find out more!
Saturday, November 15 - 04:57:30 PM Renee Bernard

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - London Drugs is saying goodbye to a location that was the prototype of the large stores that would become its trademark.

Its 665 West Broadway store in Vancouver, which opened in 1970, is being closed, and relocated to the new complex at Broadway and Cambie.

The drug store's president Wynne Powell says it's a bittersweet moment for the company...

"The original store was an absolute success. In fact it has had reputedly one of the highest, if not the highest, sales per square foot of any drug store in North America," laments Powell.

He says the new store will be 40% bigger, with expanded cosmetic and audio-visual departments.

The old Broadway store closes on Sunday. The new location has its grand opening on Tuesday.

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20081115_195730_16984

[SpongeG]

didn't someone say that the old London Drugs on broadway will become an IGA?

is that still the plan?

[entheosfog]

Some updates from the Mount Pleasant area:

1 Kingsway, nearly done:
http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff339/entheos1977/DSCF8102.jpg

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff339/entheos1977/DSCF8103.jpg

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff339/entheos1977/DSCF8104.jpg

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff339/entheos1977/DSCF8105.jpg

[entheosfog]

Crossroads, also nearly done:
http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff339/entheos1977/DSCF8113.jpg

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff339/entheos1977/DSCF8118.jpg

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff339/entheos1977/DSCF8119.jpg

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff339/entheos1977/DSCF8120.jpg

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff339/entheos1977/DSCF8121.jpg

[dreambrother808]

Some updates from the Mount Pleasant area
http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff339/entheos1977/DSCF8105.jpg

mmmmm... Gene, best coffee in the city... i miss my old neighbourhood :(

9 more months until i can return....

[officedweller]

I noticed that Whole Foods has signage for an entrance on the Cambie side of Crossroads - presumably there's a main entrance on 8th Ave. and a mezzanine entrance on Cambie (like the mezzanine entrance for Best Buy across the street).
Crossroads looks great!

For 1 Kingsway, there's something about not having a horizontal course brick across the roof/cornice line that looks unfinished to me - looks like they ran out of money and stopped the tower dead in its tracks. Same goes for Dolce/Vita and many other podiums around town.

[flight_from_kamakura]

great pics entheosfog, thanks. i really like 1 kingsway, mostly for the mass it provides on that angle there. next, i'd love to see the lot on the corner of 7th and main built out to 9-10 stories, with minimum setback and ground floor retail... that'd get this area really moving. not too likely any time soon, but the dream of uninterrupted ground level commercial/office on main street lives on!

[jlousa]

Great article on Vancouverism in upcoming issue of Vancouver magazine.

http://www.vanmag.com/News_and_Features/Larry_Beasleys_Simple_Plan?page=0%2C0

[mr.x]

Vancouver centre for spinal cord injury care opens

Pamela Fayerman, Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, November 19, 2008

VANCOUVER - When what's been described as the world's largest, most technologically advanced and integrated facility for spinal cord injury care and research opened Tuesday, it lacked any signage about wheelchair accessibility.

That's because the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, a $45-million building on the Vancouver General Hospital campus, is so disability friendly that there's no need for such signs.

Spinal surgeon Dr. Marcel Dvorak said the centre will get up to 16,000 patient visits a year and one-stop health care means those with paralysis will no longer have to see doctors and other health providers at multiple locations throughout the province.

"This whole thing would have never happened were it not for Rick," he said, referring to Rick Hansen, who originally conceived the idea of the facility.

Hansen's foundation got a $10 million donation from philanthropic diamond mine discoverer/geologist Stu Blusson, a few years ago.

Hansen then turned $8.75 million of it into building the six-storey facility that will also be home to the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, with its 400 researchers.

Federal partners (Canada Foundation for Innovation) and the provincial government each contributed nearly $13 million, the University of B.C. gave $8.15 million and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute gave $2.3 million.

"The beauty and uniqueness of the place is that patients will come here very early after their injury and they will get help with such things as urological matters, skin and wound care, pain management, sexual health and rehabilitation," said Dvorak.

"Scientists, surgeons, bio-engineers and all kinds of others from disparate groups will now work here side by side and we will ask better questions and get better answers because of that," he added in an interview.

Premier Gordon Campbell told the large crowd at the opening ceremony that the facility would "bring us closer to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries."

In the audience were Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan, a paraplegic, and former mayor Mike Harcourt, who might have become one were it not for his prompt care after an accident six years ago.

Hansen, whose foundation programs will be on the top floor, said the facility is the culmination of a goal he established long ago to see the creation of a place that would foster "brilliance and possibilities" for patients who might one day be able to "walk away from an injury."

Unveiled during the ceremony was a massive painting created by quadriplegic artist Robb Dunfield, who was commissioned to create a work for the entrance.

Dunfield spent three years mouth-painting on 12 adjoining panels. The 1.8-by-2.4-metre painting is believed to be the largest ever created by mouth in the world. Dunfield said it was such a daunting challenge that he realized that if wheeling up the Great Wall of China was Hansen's greatest challenge during his Man In Motion Tour "this was my Mount Everest."

The painting, of his twin daughters at the beach, represents the ideal that "children are our hope and the future is an unfinished canvas."




The world’s largest, most technologically advanced and integrated facility for spinal cord injury care and research, the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, opened Tuesday. The $45 million building is on the Vancouver General Hospital campus.
http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/gallery/spinalcord/sun1118n-spinal.jpg




The new Spinal Cord Injury Centre at VGH uses color and natural light along the multi-level walkway.
http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/gallery/spinalcord/sun1118n-spinal-1.jpg



Premier Gordon Campbell is saved by a wheelie bar as he tries out designer Jaimie Borisoff's (left) new lift equipped chair. The premier was touring the new Spinal Cord Injury Centre at VGH after the opening ceremonies.
http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/gallery/spinalcord/sun1118n-spinal-3.jpg

[raggedy13]

^Great stuff. I had no idea this would be open so soon. I'll have to check it out in person sometime soon. And lol at that last pic of Gordo. :haha:

Great article on Vancouverism in upcoming issue of Vancouver magazine.

http://www.vanmag.com/News_and_Features/Larry_Beasleys_Simple_Plan?page=0%2C0

Thanks jlousa, great article.

[Architype]

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/gallery/spinalcord/sun1118n-spinal.jpg

That looks quite nice. I've noticed that VGH has some great looking buildings in it's collection now, including the Diamond Centre and the Cancer Centre.

http://www.bcrmca.bc.ca/File/gld.jpg
Source: www.bcrmca.bc.ca/index.php?Id=85
http://accesslogicinc.com/pb/wp_9cdfa261/images/img444046b7f1850c4af.jpg
Source: http://accesslogicinc.com/pb/wp_9cdfa261/wp_9cdfa261.html

[officedweller]

The institutional buildings are more innovative than market condos

Social Housing on the Bazaar & Novelty site on West 2nd Ave.:

http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20081125/documents/p1.pdf

[SpongeG]

has anyone been to the new London Drugs yet?

[fever]

Yeah. It's a london drugs. It has more space by the entrance and a large electronics area, but otherwise it' just like every other london drugs

[officedweller]

Not yet -
How does the parking work? Is it undergound off 8th Ave and still validated for an hour?