[jlousa]

No, the glass is quite different. They are a bit behind on the glazing but it should get caught up. Take a look, hopefully it impresses.

[LeftCoaster]

Its supposed to be a bit darker isnt it? like a deeper blue?

[vanman]

No, the glass is quite different. They are a bit behind on the glazing but it should get caught up. Take a look, hopefully it impresses.

Good to hear.The cladding on Shaw Tower and HG2 look way too similar as it is and I was afraid that Fairmont would blend right in.

[vanman]

Took pics today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction4/DSC01873.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction4/DSC01875.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction4/DSC01877.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction4/DSC01878.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction4/DSC01884.jpg

[raggedy13]

Thanks for all the photo updates Vanman. The glass on the Fairmont looks surprisingly reflective. I was expecting it to be quite clear glass.

[excel]

yea i think i might just like this glass. thanks for the updates.

[officedweller]

Looks reflective, but with a lot of distortion.

[nathan6969]

Looks reflective, but with a lot of distortion.

I went down to check out the glass from street level, it really isn't that reflective afterall. It's definitely less than the lower half of wall centre, for example. But it does look quite dark, so maybe there's hope yet.

[entheosfog]

From today, over top of Cordova:

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6837.jpg?t=1211780895

[vanman]

It's really filling that gap nicely.

[cjohnny4]

I was walking down by the convention centre and saw that the front of the Pacific Rim (the side facing the convention centre) now has glass up also. The part surrounding the actual glass window is sort of a cream colour. The front of the building seems to be lighter while the back is darker and just glass (no surrounding colour). I confirmed this by looking at the rendering they have up on the giant board at the corner of Cordova and Burrard.

[officedweller]

Makes some sense, at the south side would get more sunlight.

[raggedy13]

A few pics from yesterday:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2367/2539883122_a45b907e81_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2081/2539061971_ca4701c80e_b.jpg

[deasine]

Looks like you've got a great view =)

[raggedy13]

^And so can you for a mere $9.00!

I took them from the Harbour Centre. ;)

The view out my window is a fire hydrant. :haha:

[eduardo88]

^And so can you for a mere $9.00!

I took them from the Harbour Centre. ;)

The view out my window is a fire hydrant. :haha:

i was getting a bit jealous there...all i have out of my window right now is a construction crane blocking 99% of what used to be a great view of st paul's cathedral's dome!:hell:

[Hong Kongese]

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/7402/dsc01905pd1.jpg

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9877/dsc01906bl9.jpg

[excel]

shes getting up there. thanks for the updates.

[SFUVancouver]

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/1051/farimontpacificrimfromcsl6.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) My photo, taken June 12th, 2008

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/6163/fairmontpacificrim2junegt8.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) My photo, taken June 12th, 2008

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/2766/conventioncentreandfairsc7.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) My photo, taken June 12th, 2008

[Cypherus]

This building couldn't have been in a better location than it is now - across the street from the convention centre.

[mr.x]

This building couldn't have been in a better location than it is now - across the street from the convention centre.

Couldn't agree more....though for such a prominent location, it's a shame that the building isn't any higher nor does it have a more unique design.

[excel]

great pics sfu. thanks.

[entheosfog]

Another pic from Saturday, taken from Hastings:

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6955.jpg?t=1213551856

[Canadian Mind]

is that dark glass I see?

this is a very unque design, the glass is darker than the rest of the waterfront.

[excel]

yea i saw it in person the other day, its pretty dark.

[cjohnny4]

The glass does seem to be dark, but keep in mind that it is not being used on a large portion of the north side of the building. This building seems to be designed to have a mix of several different types of glass and spandrel colouring. The north side features a lighter shade surrounding lighter glass.

[Cypherus]

It was suggested the south-facing glazing is darker to dampen the summer sun light and heat.

[SFUVancouver]

Taken on a sunny, hot summer morning in Vancouver.

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/3190/fairmontpacificrimjune2fu7.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, June 27th, 2008

[Cypherus]

It's rising pretty fast.

[excel]

looks great.

[deasine]

Taken Yesterday:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2124/2620557382_bf0024ec88_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/2620560010_c6b361d464_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2620570060_3876f6b019_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/2620572778_cc298c2bfd_b.jpg

[SFUVancouver]

Fairmont Pacific Rim as seen from the corner of Burrard and Cordova.
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/5295/fairmontpacificrimjune3ga4.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, June 30th, 2008.

Lettering is beginning to go up as part of the public art piece at the base of the tower.
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/8108/fairmontpacificrimpublinz0.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, June 30th, 2008.

[squeezied]

wow i really like the colour. is the building gonna "step in" any time soon? or has it already?

[jlousa]

The tower doesn't step in, hence it being the largest building by sqftage in the city. (even though it's not anywhere near the tallest)

[officedweller]

Probably the nicest glass on any James Cheng building.

Ugghh. Random ... words ... as ... art? again??

[jlousa]

Won't be random words, it's a poem, if you take a picture again today you'll see it's starting to come together. :tup:

[Delirium]

Od, here's the full text of what will appear;

some info on the public art component of this project;

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/Toronto416/Image1-2.jpg

additional info on the artist; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liam_Gillick

here's a great shot by Arjuna Ravikumar on flickr.com http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/2634492825_82d8cea2c2_b.jpg
source; http://flickr.com/photos/psykojello/2634492825/

[officedweller]

Thanks - at least that makes sense - versus the words on the False Creek seawall.

[excel]

great pictures.

[SpongeG]

the wording seems to be complete now

something about clouds and stuff

wanted to take a pic on friday but had no camera with me :(

[raggedy13]

A few pics from yesterday:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2670127604_125849f75f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2670127312_ff653edc50_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2670127040_5e4e211226_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2669295345_54774ccc0d_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2670128382_08626cc1ac_b.jpg

Sort of visible from North Van:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2670125148_f479f0c4d9_b.jpg

[SFUVancouver]

Great update Raggedy13!

[vanman]

Thanks for the update Raggedy. I like the glass on the south face of the building but the north face looks odd and out of place. I dunno, I understand the reasoning behind the differing tints in glass but is it really necessary for both sides to be so different from each other?

[deasine]

Thats a pretty detailed load of pics! I love the "public art" (text) on the corner of the building.

[subdude]

It says:

"lying on top of a building the clouds looked no nearer than when I was lying on the street"

The lines of text will separate the levels occupied by the hotel and will wrap the prominent Cordova and Burrard corner for 18 stories

(just repeating Delirium's post (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=3652127&postcount=137))

[SpongeG]

cool

[hollywoodnorth]

Woodwards looks WIDE and great from the last pic :)

[Yume-sama]

A shot from today. Got in as close as possible while still being across the water in Stanley Park.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/2669959019_86a5e948e3_b.jpg
Full version at my Flickr, right here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/2669959019/

[Hong Kongese]

So far not too impress with this building. It just look like a huge downtown parkade. Btw nice watch Yume! is it real or fake!:)

[Yume-sama]

I'm sure it will look better when it's complete.

And it is 100% authentic :cheers:

[officedweller]

Thanks for the pics.
At least the nicer glass faces the City where most people will see the building from.

[excel]

nice updates.

[SFUVancouver]

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/5652/fairmontpacificrimjuly1hw6.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, July 15th, 2008.

[raggedy13]

^Great pic, love the canyon effect.

[Jacques]

cool pic ty

[excel]

nice one.

[SFUVancouver]

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/3607/fairmontpacificrimaug7pvk9.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, August 7th, 2008.

[Delirium]

august 20th update by antidestination on flickr
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/2783589768_41d8e78532_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/2783589768_41d8e78532_b.jpg

[subdude]

Poetry embraces Vancouver hotel tower

http://media.canada.com/b2e3de01-96ee-45ae-96ce-b2054095eb64/SUN0825B%20HOTEL%2001.jpg
CREDIT: Vancouver Sun photo by Stuart Davis
This recently installed poem is on the south and east sides of the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel at Burrard and Cordova in Vancouver. It reads: lying on top of a building...the clouds looked no nearer.

Bruce Constantineau
Vancouver Sun

Thursday, August 28, 2008

If you walk by the corner of Burrard and Cordova next summer, you'll be able to admire the city's newest hotel tower and read poetry at the same time.

The text of an original poem by British artist Liam Gillick will wrap around the southern and eastern exteriors of the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel, running all the way up to the 23rd floor.

The opening line was briefly visible this week, but now is carefully covered up. It reads: "lying on top of a building

... the clouds looked no nearer."

Project developer Ian Gillespie won't reveal the rest of the text, which will be unveiled when the hotel opens next year. But he expects to spend significantly more than the $767,000 budgeted for the public art component of the Fairmont development.

Gillespie noted the Shaw Tower had a public art budget of about $400,000 but he spent more than $1 million creating an LED light-tube art installation that extends along the entire height of that building.

"The piece I put on the Shaw Tower added more value to the building than I paid and I know the value of the Fairmont piece will add more value than I'm going to put into it," he said in an interview.

Gillespie, president of Westbank Projects Corp., said public art in Vancouver needs some "pizzazz" and the poetry-on-building concept is a step in the right direction.

"Much of the public art in Vancouver is very subtle, but this piece is not subtle and the piece at [the Woodward's project at Hastings and Carrall] is not subtle," he said. "I wanted them to grab you by the throat and make a difference.

"You're going to walk or drive by that building and you won't forget it."

Westbank is also developing the Woodward's project and has commissioned Vancouver artist Stan Douglas to create a large photographic mural of the area's living history that will be displayed in the development's public atrium.

Gillespie said the recreated shot of a historical scene speaks to the history of Woodward's in a "very dynamic way" and Douglas plans to unveil the work at a New York exhibition in October.

He said people will be fascinated by Gillick's poem on the new hotel building.

"It's about the fact that whether you're a billionaire or a regular Joe walking down the street, your perception of reality may be the same," Gillespie said. "There's a bit of a social statement there."

He said art inside the new hotel rooms will "play off" the theme created by the outside text.

bconstantineau@vancouversun.com

© Vancouver Sun

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=eba62288-507a-4eed-a07d-8ea1cefa5426

[LeftCoaster]

So wait, there's more than "lying on top of a building.. the clouds looked no nearer... then when lying on the ground."??

I thought it was just that line repeated numerous times up the base of the building.

[officedweller]

You can see in the pic above that the rest of the verse is missing on the unveiled floor while the floors above have the full text (hidden under wraps)

[Fairbanks]

"Lying on top of a building...the clouds seemed no nearer
than when I had been lying on the street"

The name of an 1992 art exhibit by Canadian contemporary artist, ANGELA BULLOCH

Lying on top of a building the clouds seemed no nearer than they had when I was lying on the street.
Le Case d'Arte, Milano, Italy
Monika Sprüth Galerie, Cologne, Germany

[Fairbanks]

Sorry...here is the actual wording:

Lying on top of a building...the clouds seemed no nearer than they had when I was lying on the street.

Me thinks this is a statement about homelessness in Vancouver. In fact the position of the "sculpture on the side of the Fairmont faces the downtown east side....hmmmm interesting.

[jlousa]

Very observant. :tup:
It's meant to be inclusive.

[AgentWill]

That's a poignant piece and the placement is very interesting when taken from the perspective of the have and havenots. Especially in light of the $/sq.ft. this building demands of its occupants.

Maybe as a rebuttal they could have in each window in small type:

"I laugh at the incredulity to those lines uttered. How it would not behoove me and sully my name at the club."

And while the clouds above may not seem closer the view looking down certainly is further and the rest of views must be fantastic.

[Delirium]

'First-class' sales centre aims to lure tourists to BC Ferries
Bruce Constantineau, Vancouver Sun
Published: Friday, August 29, 2008

BC Ferries will aggressively push its products to visitors in a new Vancouver sales centre to open in the heart of the downtown tourist district before the 2010 Olympics.

BC Ferries president David Hahn said Thursday the new facility -- a first for the ferry operator -- will operate in the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel project, scheduled to open next year near the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre.

"We will be doing a first-class, concierge-type travel centre that will make riding on a ferry much easier," he said in an interview. "It will be very, very supportive of all the other efforts already underway in Vancouver."

Hahn said the facility's primary mission is to stimulate ferry travel throughout coastal communities by attracting more visitors on city tours or those attending conventions.

"The longer-term goal is to do whatever we can to support travel and tourism in British Columbia," he said.

The new marketing initiative comes as BC Ferries reported net earnings of $8.4 million for the three months ending June 30 -- a $6-million decline from the $14.4 million earned during the same period last year.

The company has forecast 2008-2009 net earnings will drop from $37.1 million a year ago to $10 million, due mainly to increased interest and amortization costs associated with capital spending.

Hahn expects higher fuel costs will force a slight drop on the number of BC Ferries passengers this year so the company will do whatever it can to cut costs for the rest of the fiscal year.

"If somebody resigns or retires, we won't necessarily fill the position unless it's a mission-critical or safety-critical position."

It might also use smaller vessels on certain routes if they are sufficient to meet demand.

He said the company is considering adding new routes and services to its offerings to take advantage of its expertise in certain areas.

"We might get into the overnight freight business, which would be a logical product extension for BC Ferries," Hahn said. "There are a lot of opportunities out there now because there's a real recognition of just how good we are at what we do."

The company said first-quarter expenses rose 12.4 per cent this year to $163.5 million, including a $10.4-million increase in fuel expenses and a $7.9-million hike in interest and amortization expenses reflecting its significant investments in fleet and infrastructre. Revenues rose by 7.6 per cent during the quarter to $171.9 million.

BC Ferries spent $190 million on capital assets during the quarter -- including $171.8 million in new vessels and upgrades, $8.3 million in marine structures, $7.5 million in building upgrades and equipment and $2.4 million in computer hardware and software development.

BC Ferries said its fuel costs soared to $86.8 million in 2007-2008 -- from $45.9 million in 2003 -- and could reach $140 million in 2008-2009 if record high fuel prices continue.

Effective Aug. 1, BC Ferries applied a 10.3-per-cent fuel surcharge for major routes connecting Vancouver Island to the Lower Mainland, 17.6 per cent on routes servicing the southern and northern Gulf Islands and 9.2 per cent on the Horseshoe Bay-Langdale route.

For a trip from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, the surcharge adds $1.25 for each passenger, $4.15 for each passenger vehicle and $10.40 for each overheight vehicle.

bconstantineau@vancouversun.com

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2816113859_654528bfde_b.jpg
source; http://flickr.com/photos/john--l/2816113859/sizes/l/

[Delirium]

here's a bunch more updates. photos by me

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/Picture127.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/Picture128.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/Picture129.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/Picture133.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/Picture193.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/Picture186.jpg

[Smooth]

I'm digging the glass. I was afraid it was going to be the same as the Shaw tower glass.

[subdude]

Love how it's reflecting the Marine Bldg. Thanks for the photos.

[excel]

great updates. thanks.

[vanman]

I'm digging the glass. I was afraid it was going to be the same as the Shaw tower glass.

Yeah me too.

[officedweller]

Pic taken by me today - peeking over top of Commerce Place:

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/1986/p9230832jf4.jpg

[mr.sandbag]

great pic, i think this one will turn out really well,

[phesto]

From today:

Looking down the soon to be completed Canada Place Way:

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4542/011vm8.jpg

SE Corner:

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/8614/015jk1.jpg

[EdinVan]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2816113859_654528bfde_b.jpg
source; http://flickr.com/photos/john--l/2816113859/sizes/l/[/QUOTE]

Is Shaw happy that the Fairmont will be blocking its logo on Hastings?

[LeftCoaster]

I'm sure they are extatic...

[officedweller]

In Phesto's first shot, it makes you realize that Shaw Tower isn't very street friendly - i.e. the "prow, as it hits the sidewalk, looks out of place now that it's landlocked.

[jlousa]

:previous: That's okay, the starbucks will make it all better. ;)

[nathan6969]

In Phesto's first shot, it makes you realize that Shaw Tower isn't very street friendly - i.e. the "prow, as it hits the sidewalk, looks out of place now that it's landlocked.

The same could be said for a lot of the buildings on the south side of Cordova...all built when that was waterfront property...

[rather_draconian]

I'm still rather pissed that the last piece of land left on Coal Harbour is being taken up by this mundane tower.

[phesto]

Starbucks, good god man!:rolleyes: I guess it makes sense given its proximity to the convention centre, but still...

I think Shaw will be okay at street level on the north side. It should be anyway since it was designed at the same time as the reconfigured Canada Way.

Regarding the other buildings on the south side of Cordova - the block between Thurlow and Bute is the absolute worst, but there's little they can do. They have been trying to lease retail space in the Renaissance for close to two years now with no success...might have something to do with it being second floor space and having a giant blank wall on Cordova.

[officedweller]

The Shaw Tower was built with full knowledge that there would be structures across the street. It was all part of the same development plan.

Technically, the last bit of Coal Harbour is being taken up by the mundane HG3.

[rather_draconian]

Ugh James Cheng. He may be an astute architect, but none of his projects are particularly creative!

[TwoFace]

Reflections
*photo by me

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2857803565_10aaf43127_b.jpg

[Hong Kongese]

Ugh James Cheng. He may be an astute architect, but none of his projects are particularly creative!

I have to agree with you on that, all his buildings look similar to each other.



Nice pic, two face.

[city-dweller]

What day did you take that reflection pic?

I was down there recently and commented to someone taking that exact shot angle. I haven't been to any meet and greets so I don't actually know what anyone looks like on this forum.

Anyway great shot!

[TwoFace]

What day did you take that reflection pic?
I was down there recently and commented to someone taking that exact shot angle. I haven't been to any meet and greets so I don't actually know what anyone looks like on this forum.
Anyway great shot!

Based on the photo data, it was Sept 13th. But I don’t remember speaking to anyone other than my wife while taking the pic.
On a sunny day in coal harbour every second person is packing a camera.

[city-dweller]

Very true.

Bentall 5, Pan Pacific and, One Wall Center are my favourites for reflection shots. I have seen Park Place used although it doesn't have continuous glass sides.

[raggedy13]

Some pictures from Friday:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/1017081348.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/1017081353.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/1017081354.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/1017081415.jpg

[vanman]

Some pics from Wednesday:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/IMG_0086.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/IMG_0088.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/IMG_0101.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/IMG_0103.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/IMG_0099.jpg

[jlousa]

Thanks for the pics, for those interested in the status they are pouring level 37 today, 11 more to go. :tup:

[subdude]

A couple photos from today by me:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/3039571594_6a68440559_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/3039551150_b58b58cbe7_o.jpg

[jlousa]

That's level 40 only 8 more to go.

[sacrifice333]

That's level 40 only 8 more to go.

This has gone up quite quickly. Still have to wonder about the room in the market for so many Fairmonts. Though maybe this will be a 5-star variation. IIRC, the other two Vancouver ones (and Richmond) are all 4-star.

[LeftCoaster]

Hmm not so sure about that... I know at one point the fairmont waterfront was 5 star, it might have slipped recently though. Hotel Vancouver is definetly a 4 star and im not too sure about the Airport hotel but I always hear it is one of the nicest in the city.

[Delirium]

actually, there's only 2 five-diamond hotels in canada for 2008 (based on AAA/CAA ranking) and they're both in bc..

from their website:

C A N A D A

BRITISH COLUMBIA
Four Seasons Resort Whistler - new in 2008
The Sutton Place Hotel - Vancouver

full north american list http://honeymoons.about.com/od/aaa5diamondhotels/a/aaa2008.htm

for a large hotel like the new fairmont, it wouldn't be easy to achieve 5-diamond status. i think they will probably be a 4.

here's a nice update from flickr
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/3039551149_3ee21c3752_b.jpg

[excel]

cool pic, thanks.

[WarrenC12]

That's a cool look at the old vs. new convention centres as well.

[raggedy13]

Great updates everybody. I've been wondering... is there still going to be those orange/green/blue neon lights on the corner of the Fairmont or did the poetry replace that entirely?

[Delirium]

here's an angle you don't see everyday!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/3051257961_b9c0b1bf2e_b.jpg
by harry2010 on flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/harry2010/3051257961/sizes/l/in/set-72157604834002580/