VANCOUVER | Residences at the Hotel Georgia | 515 FT / 157 M | 48 FLOORS

[mr.x]

The Private Residences at the Hotel Georgia

The Private Residences are located next to the historical 12-storey 1927 landmark Hotel Georgia in the luxury district of Vancouver, and will house 155 stunning condominiums. The new tower, in which the Private Residence will be housed, is located on Howe Street and will feature striking canted facades and refracting surfaces.

The Private Residences are true luxury residences with interior design by Mitchell Freedland and distinctive architecture by IBI/HB. Residents will have access to all of the services and amenities offered to the patrons of the Hotel Georgia, including fitness trainers, pool, steam room, sauna, 24 hour concierge, valet, and room service. The Hotel Georgia development combines heritage preservation with an envelope-pushing high-rise development.

Built in 1927 in the Georgian revival style, the hotel presents luxury and elegance at its finest and was designed in the classical beaux-arts tradition, one of the last hotel’s in Vancouver to boast of this.

Wanting to add some contemporary flair to the elegant chandeliers and finely polished wood, the Georgia will soon see a number of not-so-slight nips and tucks that include building the Private Residences at Hotel Georgia which will be situated between the 14th and 48th floors of a sleek new tower. Of course, a renovation with a price tag this steep means that the hotel’s private residences will cater mostly to jet-owners and business tycoon types wishing to add a downtown address to their name. The Georgia has never fostered a reputation as a run-of-the-mill hotel.

Suites will range from 630 to 3,700-square feet, not including a penthouse that will take up the entire 48th floor. Suites will come with a balcony or deck and will available in 1,2 and 3 bedroom sizes. Of course, residents will be able to enjoy all the modern amenities of the hotel including its 55-foot by 15-foot pool, yoga and Pilates studio, spa services and dry cleaning facilities.

The 7,143-square foot penthouse offers 360 foot views of the surrounding city, shoreline and mountains. With four bedrooms, four decks, a lounge and wet bar, it gives new meaning to fine living. Also included in the steep price tag (yet to be determined) is a wine room, library, games room, formal dining room for 14 people and a kitchen well equipped to handle any catered event with two dishwashers, two ovens, two fridges, a six-burner stove and a butler’s pantry.

The private residences are expected to sell quickly given their location and the Georgia’s outstanding reputation. Hey, Elvis once stayed here.

According to their website, the Private Residences at Hotel Georgia presents ‘a beautiful mélange of historic elegance and ultra contemporary design,’ and yes, like most condominiums, the ads will likely feature a young, stylish couple enjoying life in their new home.



The tower includes:

- 33 floors of residential with 156 condos,
- 8 floors providing 60,000 sq. ft. of office space,
- 3 floors for hotel usage, 1 floor of retail, 1 mechanical floor
- 7 levels of underground parking.
- major renovation of old hotel

Height: 157 metres/517 feet
Floors: 48
Cost: $400 million
Completion: 2010
Status: approved, construction to commence 2007
Architects: IBI/HB


Hotel Georgia
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t290/vancouver_2007/Picture1409.jpg


http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/sixwm/2007/07/545457.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/hgrendering28.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/Misc/nightt.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/2017.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/render002_View06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/render002_View05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/render002_View04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/render002_View03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/render008-lights.jpg

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

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/Courtyard-01-1.jpg

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



Renderings courtesy of Raggedy13.

[Cypherus]

Great post referencing Hotel Georgia. When is the construction start?

[giallo]

I'm going to have to wait and see with this one. The design is lackluster, so it'll all depend on the materials used.

[Urban Zombie]

^
I was thinking the same thing. Not sure if like this or not...

[officedweller]

Ground floor retail stores in the parkade have "Moving Sale" signs up. Demolition should proceed soon.

[Cypherus]

Still don't know how this building passed the UDP and DPB, but I guess we will take anything that is higher than 450 feet high, even if the building has a lacking design.

[Delirium]

i guess i'm of the few that thinks this project is great. i think it'll add a lot to the skyline...
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/Imaggggge2.jpg
nice place to live too
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/Imggage3.jpg

[Canadian Mind]

I'm gonna wait and see. It looks to me like the standard Vancouver style condo on steroids with a better than average crown on top.

[hollywoodnorth]

i guess i'm of the few that thinks this project is great. i think it'll add a lot to the skyline...
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/Imaggggge2.jpg


I think she will look good on the skyline.......great? have to wait and see the materials used. but the above rendering looks great IMO. :tup:

[Cypherus]

Well, the building looks a lot better in the rendering than that Scotia tower to the right (uughh).

[ckkelley]

I'm really interested in this building primarily because this shot is nearly my exact view (I'm a little to the left).
I'm wanting to like it but I'm still not sure. I guess we'll just have to wait.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/Imaggggge2.jpg

Does anyone know if the glass will have any special properties a la Shangri La? I remember that someone wrote that the beacon on top will change colours regularly. Is that right?

[raggedy13]

^Yeah, the roof is supposed to change colours, according to what somebody posted awhile back. I don't know if there is any cool lighting running up the building or anything (I doubt it) but I know there is supposed to be some solar panels along the southern (and maybe also western/eastern) facing curtain wall. They're only for supplementing the building's energy supply though from what I've heard.

[Delirium]

regarding the buildings lighting, i found this on the permit board report:

"Ms. Heyvaerts stated that they have a lighting consultant who came up with a scheme for lighting the building at night. The system will use LED lights and will be used to simulate rain drops on the building elevation. There will also be photovoltaic solar cells that operate the blinds so that they will drop automatically when the sun hits the windows."
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/planning/dpboard/2007/Minutes/feb26.htm

[vanman]

The system will use LED lights and will be used to simulate rain drops on the building elevation.

No need for simulations, we get plenty of the real thing:haha:

[raggedy13]

^Exactly what I was thinking. :haha:

Sounds like it could look pretty cool though. So what do you all think they mean by "on the building elevation"? Seems a bit vague but would it be safe to assume this means up most of the height of the building? I'm really looking forward to seeing all the new lighting effects going in on some of these newer projects (Shangri-la/Fairmont/West Pender Place etc).

[mr.x]

regarding the buildings lighting, i found this on the permit board report:

"Ms. Heyvaerts stated that they have a lighting consultant who came up with a scheme for lighting the building at night. The system will use LED lights and will be used to simulate rain drops on the building elevation. There will also be photovoltaic solar cells that operate the blinds so that they will drop automatically when the sun hits the windows."
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/planning/dpboard/2007/Minutes/feb26.htm

lol, nice.

so where will these LED lights be installed? on the roof? on the facade?

[vanman]

^Exactly what I was thinking. :haha:

I'm really looking forward to seeing all the new lighting effects going in on some of these newer projects (Shangri-la/Fairmont/West Pender Place etc).

Me too. I guess Shaw tower really set the precedent for downtown Vancouver. It seems now that every significant project going up has some cool lighting effect.

[ckkelley]

Thanks for the info guys.

It definately makes this project a bit more intriguing.

[bils]

American businessman buys $18m downtown condo

Bruce Constantineau, Vancouver Sun
Published: Tuesday, October 23, 2007
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=8d45c3d2-d3be-4f8b-a978-e2bfc769f1af&k=70550

VANCOUVER - An unnamed Portland, Ore. businessman has paid a record $18 million for a 48th-floor penthouse suite in downtown Vancouver.

The 7,400-square-foot unit in the Private Residences at Hotel Georgia won't be ready for occupancy until 2011, when the $400-million development near Georgia and Howe is completed.

Sotheby's International Realty Canada president Ross McCredie said the buyer wants to remain anonymous, but the Vancouver property will be one of several he owns throughout the world.

"It's not the first time he's bought a penthouse suite in a big city," he said.

McCredie said the unit will feature an "incredible" rooftop deck and custom finishings throughout the suite. Owners of the 155 condos in the development will also have access to services and amenities provided by a restored Hotel Georgia, including round-the-clock concierge and valet services.

McCredie said Vancouver billionaire Jim Pattison bought a unit in the project, as did former prime minister Kim Campbell. He wasn't certain what Pattison bought, but Campbell paid just under $2.5 million for a two-bedroom unit.

The $18-million price for the penthouse suite exceeds the amount paid recently for a 6,500-square-foot, two-level penthouse in the Fairmont Pacific Rim Vancouver. That unit is believed to have sold for well in excess of its $12-million asking price.

Potential buyers are mulling over a $17.6-million suite on the 60th floor of the Shangri-La development and an $18.2-million price tag for a 6,900-square-foot condo on the 26th floor of 1000 Beach Avenue.

Three units on the 60th floor of the Ritz-Carlton project on Georgia Street have asking prices ranging from $10.8 million to $12.8 million while actor Jean-Claude Van Damme is believed to have listed his 7,500-square-foot suite on the 41st floor of the Shaw Tower for a whopping $19.8 million.

McCredie said more than half of the 155 units for sale in the Hotel Georgia project have been sold since sales began last Friday. More than $200 million in sales took place on opening day, with most being in the $2.5-million-to-$3-million range.

"A lot of local buyers just gulp at those prices but international buyers are not as fazed," he said. "We constantly hear from international buyers that this price point is relatively cheap in their minds."

McCredie plans to market more of the units next month during a sales trip to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Moscow.

Vancouver condo marketer Bob Rennie said penthouse buyers constitute a market unto themselves.

"They're high networth individuals with a lot of discretionary money who want the absolute best," he said. "It's often a second, third or fourth residence for them.

"I know people hate these terms but as Vancouver becomes more of a world-class city and resort city, the takeup of these units is becoming stronger."

bconstantineau@png.canwest.com

[djh]

American businessman buys $18m downtown condo

Vancouver condo marketer Bob Rennie said penthouse buyers constitute a market unto themselves.

"I know people hate these terms but as Vancouver becomes more of a world-class city and resort city, the takeup of these units is becoming stronger."



Even *he* acknowledges he's becoming a walking cliche. "World Class, World Class" yawn yawn yawn.

[jo67sh]

go check out what jean claude van damm subpenthouse looks like in the shaw tower...i guess he and a lot of vancouverites are making money off real estate since his movie career is tanking..

http://www.mls.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?vd=&SearchURL=%3fPage%3d26%26Mode%3d0%26vs%3dResidential%26ret%3d300%26sts%3d0-0%26beds%3d0-0%26baths%3d0-0%26bt%3d17%26aid%3d3737%252c3735%26MapURL%3d%253fAreaID%253d6577%26tt%3d1%252c2%26mp%3d300000-0-0%26mrt%3d0-0-4%26trt%3d2%26of%3d1%26ps%3d10&Mode=0&PropertyID=6256423

[officedweller]

I passed by the Hotel Georgia site today. Work has begun on removing the parkade where the new tower will be built.

Yeah, just walked by and a lot of the precast fins/screens are gone off the front of the parkade.

[raggedy13]

Three units on the 60th floor of the Ritz-Carlton project on Georgia Street

What's with these journalists? Why must they pull numbers out of their ass like this? :shrug:

[Hed Kandi]

go check out what jean claude van damm subpenthouse looks like in the shaw tower...i guess he and a lot of vancouverites are making money off real estate since his movie career is tanking..

http://www.mls.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?vd=&SearchURL=%3fPage%3d26%26Mode%3d0%26vs%3dResidential%26ret%3d300%26sts%3d0-0%26beds%3d0-0%26baths%3d0-0%26bt%3d17%26aid%3d3737%252c3735%26MapURL%3d%253fAreaID%253d6577%26tt%3d1%252c2%26mp%3d300000-0-0%26mrt%3d0-0-4%26trt%3d2%26of%3d1%26ps%3d10&Mode=0&PropertyID=6256423


There's 6 bedrooms!

If five of you guys and myself pitch on this place, we might be able to purchase it.

Anyone want on in on this?

[bils]

There's 6 bedrooms!

If five of you guys and myself pitch on this place, we might be able to purchase it.

Anyone want on in on this?

i'm not sure what you do for a living, but 6 of us ain't gonna be able afford this place......

here's the full listing -

http://www.malcolmhasman.com/property/4104_1177wcordova.html

[jlousa]

The Ritz does have a 60th floor I beleive there are only 2 penthouses though both 2 levels, but I'm not postive on that.

[raggedy13]

^So in terms of numbering it has a 60th because a couple floors (4 & 13?) are taken out of the numbering scheme?

Anyways, I just found it interesting how the article said that both the Shangri-la and the RC are 60 storeys when in reality they certainly don't have the same physical number of floors. I don't even think the Shangri-la has 60 any way you cut it. It's either 61 numbered or 59 physical... right?

[jlousa]

That's correct Shangri-la =61/59 Ritz = 60/58 The difference in heights would suggest more then 1 floor but the Shangri-la floors are slightly taller.

[djh]

There's 6 bedrooms!

If five of you guys and myself pitch on this place, we might be able to purchase it.

Anyone want on in on this?

I don't get it. If you had $18m floating around, why would you buy a CONDO? No matter how nice it is? A condo?! No matter what building it's in, somebody will build a taller one and you'll want to move to that one for the prestige of being on top of the city (exactly what JC Van-Damme is doing, no doubt).
$18m buys you a whole lotta house. A ranch with race-horses, a vineyard, a mansion with servants quarters, a few hundred acres, geez, even a whole brownstone with tenants paying you rent every month and you own the whole top floor if you really want to. But an $18m penthouse condo is going to be famous for 60 seconds...until the next one comes along for $19m and suddenly you'll think "what's so great about that one that I haven't got in this one?"

I'd spend the money on something better than 60 seconds of fame.

[officedweller]

I think the key thing to note would be that the buyer already has the other things you listed.. elsewhere.

[cornholio]

go check out what jean claude van damm subpenthouse looks like in the shaw tower...i guess he and a lot of vancouverites are making money off real estate since his movie career is tanking..

http://www.mls.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?vd=&SearchURL=%3fPage%3d26%26Mode%3d0%26vs%3dResidential%26ret%3d300%26sts%3d0-0%26beds%3d0-0%26baths%3d0-0%26bt%3d17%26aid%3d3737%252c3735%26MapURL%3d%253fAreaID%253d6577%26tt%3d1%252c2%26mp%3d300000-0-0%26mrt%3d0-0-4%26trt%3d2%26of%3d1%26ps%3d10&Mode=0&PropertyID=6256423

Well I wasn't really sold on shelling out $19 mill but then I read that the home also features 4 Sony flat screen TV's and that sealed the deal.

[jlousa]

Acutally you'd be surprised on how many people live in condos and don't want a house. With my lifestyle I find I don't have time for yardwork or enjoying the backyard like I'd like too (Let me guess if you have $20Million for a home you can afford staff to maintain it right). In fact I'm planning on giving up the house for a condo and won't have regrets. Truth be told if I were in the market for a $19Million which, unforunately I'm not, I could see myself getting that over some 3 acre property in West Van with a 8000sqft home and private swimming pool. There is a sense of calmness about condo living, you can leave whenever you want for a trip, and not have to worry about your house, that's a big deal for people that have stressful lives.

[Delirium]

there are 3 penthouses at the ritz. they begin on floor 59 and are two storey's each.

floorplans are now available on the ritz site.
www.vancouversturn.com

[djh]

Yeah, I understand your point on the benefits condo living vs. house living. I have both a house and a condo, both pretty decent properties in nice Vancouver neighbourhoods, and even so, there are still issues with both of them. In both cases the issues are not with anything within my 4 walls, it's with the things you can't control: one's neighbourhood and neighbours (noise, crime, pollution, etc.).

My biggest fear of being in a $19m penthouse of a condo is: a) some person starts a fire/runs a meth lab/goes on a shooting spree/breaks the lift/drills through the pipes or whatever, and I'm on the top floor and I can't get in or out, or my life is affected because of somebody in the floors below me. All of these are things out of my control, and inevitably in any condo building, you're likely to have somebody in the building who fits into that category. Not worth risking my life over.
At least if I had a $19m mansion or whatever, I have only my own self to answer to. Yes, "the staff" will manage the property as you suggested jlousa, so I wouldn't be breaking my back over yardwork.

[Delirium]

http://cdn.travidia.com/rop-ad/5321286

[phesto]

Here's a photo of the demo progress on the parkade:

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1556/heorgrescr8.jpg

from flickr

[LeftCoaster]

Awsome, as much as Im not blown away by the architechture of this project im really excited to see it rise, as it is pretty decently tall especially for its floor plate. Should be a good slender looking building which will only exagerate its height. Also that parkade sucks and it will be nice to be rid of such an eyesore in such a prominent location.

[officedweller]

Thanks!

[excel]

Shes really tucked in between the georgia hotel and the met hotel, didnt realize that before.

[SunCoaster]

:previous: Agreed, seems to be a very small floor plate for a 48 story tower ... which goes to show that Vancouver developers actually can get quite creative when they're forced too due to floor plate and/or height restrictions.

[vanlaw]

Demolition of the parkade is almost complete. They had been working on everything but the facade for the past month or so, but half the facade came adown this morning, and I would imagine other half later today. Shouldn't be too long 'till excavation starts.

[officedweller]

:previous: Agreed, seems to be a very small floor plate for a 48 story tower ... which goes to show that Vancouver developers actually can get quite creative when they're forced too due to floor plate and/or height restrictions.

The main restriction was the preservation of the Hotel Gorgia next door (i.e. that accounts for the source of density).

[Cypherus]

Is there an estimated completion time for this project? I am assuming it won't be done before the olympics, unfortunately.

[jlousa]

late 2010 but probably 2011 like the Ritz-Carlton.

[Delirium]

the parkade is now gone...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2001/2186363291_a91e920583_b.jpg
from www.flickr.com

[SFUVancouver]

To the south side of the site demolition work continues on a rear part of the hotel, perhaps the ballroom?. On the north side of the site there is a drilling rig *not visible) and some prep work being done to begin driving steel piles down, possibly to stabilize the walls during excavation.

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/2820/p1050170ky3.jpg
My photo

[officedweller]

Yup - that would be the ballroom - they are going to recreate in after the underground parking garage is built below.

[excel]

way more movement on this bad boy compared to ritz.

[Canadian Mind]

There is alot more to do here. The RC Vancouver doesn't have to work about integrating itself with an adjacent structure, this one does. Alot more prep work and shoring up to be done here.

[SpongeG]

the parkade is now gone...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2001/2186363291_a91e920583_b.jpg
from www.flickr.com

those people with the windows must be enjoying some light for the first time ever - not too last long

[vanman]

It amazes me how small that site actually is.

[towerguy3]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2096/2276440696_06c45605e7.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2054/2276435916_3820ebcb6d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2244/2275641997_52fc60bd36.jpg

[officedweller]

Thanks.

[ckkelley]

^
How deep do we expect this pit to go? Most of the parking is above ground, right?

[vansky]

hate to c many of the old buildings go away, they could've been living heritage sites. once u take down sth, then a piece of history, and a sense of the past is lost forever. now to search for a genuine old-town feel, what we have left is the good old downtown eastside, the city's blind spot.

[Yume-sama]

hate to c many of the old buildings go away, they could've been living heritage sites. once u take down sth, then a piece of history, and a sense of the past is lost forever. now to search for a genuine old-town feel, what we have left is the good old downtown eastside, the city's blind spot.

Meh, just think of how impressive a heritage building the Shangri-la and others will make in 100 years. :yes: We're throwing out the trash for future generations. :P

[nathan6969]

hate to c many of the old buildings go away, they could've been living heritage sites. once u take down sth, then a piece of history, and a sense of the past is lost forever. now to search for a genuine old-town feel, what we have left is the good old downtown eastside, the city's blind spot.

You realize they aren't tearing down the hotel, and that this will likely make a heritage building more functional and ensure it is well preserved for the future.

[officedweller]

^
How deep do we expect this pit to go? Most of the parking is above ground, right?

No, that was the old BIng Thom plan. The new design has a larger underground footprint. The ballroom was demolished (and will be recreated) allowing an "L" shaped underground parkade. The new design has office space where the old design had the above-ground parkade. Not sure how deep it'll go.

[vansky]

the worldly post-modernism architectural movement, will be recorded as a stylistic diaster in human architectural history. ( <---gona get attacked )

[worldwide]

hate to c many of the old buildings go away, they could've been living heritage sites. once u take down sth, then a piece of history, and a sense of the past is lost forever. now to search for a genuine old-town feel, what we have left is the good old downtown eastside, the city's blind spot.

i agree lets focus growth in open space and farmland. its a much better idea.

but seriously. was that site even a heratige building? i thought it was a parking garage.

[Architype]

This is from a great old postcard I have, dated around 1967. The site is where the parking garage is.
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/2590/hotelgeorgia3smlyt2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
(Card by: Traveltime)

[dreambrother808]

i agree lets focus growth in open space and farmland. its a much better idea.

but seriously. was that site even a heratige building? i thought it was a parking garage.

yeah it was a garage, and an exceptionally ugly one at that

[nathan6969]

The building where cathedral place is, looks kinda cool, it looks like it took some design cues from the marine building.

[vanlaw]

The building where cathedral place is, looks kinda cool, it looks like it took some design cues from the marine building.

It did - I believe the Georgia Medical & Dental Building was the "sister" building to the Marine Building.

[vanman]

So from the most recent pictures posted it looks as though demolition work has been completed and excavation of the site has started meaning this thing is officially u/c.

[nathan6969]

It did - I believe the Georgia Medical & Dental Building was the "sister" building to the Marine Building.

How come they took this one down....it looks like it coulda been a beautiful building...

[officedweller]

The Georgia-Medical Dental Building would have been too expensive to retrofit for modern office use - i.e. low ceilings, unreinforced brick, small floor plate, etc. In addition - you can't tell from the pic - the building was "L" shaped (like the Georgia Hotel).

In that pic you ca also see the Customs House building by the Marine Building. That modernist building was by the same architect at the Vancouver Public Library and I think the Burrard Building (prior to recladding of course). It was demolished in the early 1990s and 401 Burrard was eventually built referencing some of the massing and geometry of the Customs House.

****
For the Georgia Hotel, the hotel part of the site is a Class B Heritage site and is currently being restored and is set to reopen well before the tower is completed. David Hawksworth of West fame will be operating a new restaurant in the hotel. Can't recall the name of the boutique hotel operator. Apparently much of the interior spaces will be restored - esp. on the second floor, which used to be a large open lounge that was later partitioned off into meeting rooms. The Ballroom (which I think was a leter addition to the hotel?) was demolished and will be recreated in its original form - including a mezzanine level that looked down onto the guests in the ballroom.

[vanlaw]

[QUOTE=officedweller;3364993]The Georgia-Medical Dental Building would have been too expensive to retrofit for modern office use - i.e. low ceilings, unreinforced brick, small floor plate, etc. In addition - you can't tell from the pic - the building was "L" shaped (like the Georgia Hotel).

For the Georgia Hotel, the hotel part of the site is a Class B Heritage site and is currently being restored and is set to reopen well before the tower is completed. David Hawksworth of West fame will be operating a new restaurant in the hotel. Can't recall the name of the boutique hotel operator. QUOTE]

Thanks Officedweller - I think you had mentioned the reason why the GMD was not saved in another thread recently- saved me from hunting it down.

In relation to new operator for the Hotel Georgia, has this actually been confirmed yet? I read somewhere that it was rumoured to become a "W" Hotel, but hadnt heard if anything was confirmed yet.

[jlousa]

No it wasn't W they lost out but are still looking for a Vancouver property, Can't seem to recall right now which company will manage it, I'm pretty sure it's in here somewhere.

Just found it, it will be the Valencia Hotel Group .

[Yume-sama]

Hmm, I'm not too familiar with the Valencia Hotel Group.

But, that leaves the door open for an 800 - 900 foot Mandarin Oriental Office / Hotel hybrid :P

[officedweller]

The Metropolitan (next to the Hotel Georgia site) was originally opened as a Mandarin in the 1980s(?).

[osirisboy]

i don't get how you think theyr'e taking down a heritage building??? it was an ugly parkade that they tore down thats all.

[ckkelley]

No, that was the old BIng Thom plan. The new design has a larger underground footprint. The ballroom was demolished (and will be recreated) allowing an "L" shaped underground parkade. The new design has office space where the old design had the above-ground parkade. Not sure how deep it'll go.

thx. OD

[officedweller]

The awning from the Georgia St. side of the Hotel Georgia building has been removed (as part of the renovation).
I think they are in the process of removing the Howe St. awning as well.

I wonder what the new ones will look like?

[officedweller]

Brick has been removed from the north side of the old hotel in preparation for construction of the new tower.

[vanman]

A quick shot.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction/DSC01688.jpg

[Stingray2004]

The Metropolitan (next to the Hotel Georgia site) was originally opened as a Mandarin in the 1980s(?).

Yeah, the bottom fell out of the economy in the fall of 1981 and the Mandarin opened up just after that, 1982, I believe. The grand opening received a lot of media coverage due to the renowned "Mandarin" name.

It's too bad they couldn't make it in this market... probably a mix of the poor economy, poor location, and bad timing.

[archiwei]

which company manage the hotel?

[jlousa]

*l* the answer to your question is half a page up. :tup:

[Delirium]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2126/2347919165_9b18dd0e4a_b.jpg
source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanmixer/2347919165/

[officedweller]

Thanks.
I didn't realize that the NE corner of the tower would be typical glass/spandrel glass - reminds me of Espana.
I'm hoping that's not painted concrete on the podium.

[vanman]

^ I really hope that in such a high end development they won't use cheap painted concrete. Also considering the fact that the podium butts up with the brick clad Hotel Georgia, it would look ridiculous.

[officedweller]

Well, the stone(?) blocks on the corner of the old hotel are already painted....

[vanman]

That may be true but at least they still have the texture of stone.

[Yume-sama]

Heh, just received word that the developer had held back 25 units and will begin selling them from April 5th - 20th. Also, not sure if it was mentioned before but...

The excitement is building around the Hotel Georgia, with the recent announcement of "Hawksworth" as the new Signature Restaurant. Famed chef David Hawksworth will be at the helm of what is sure to be one of Vancouver's finest establishments.

Also bringing her expertise to the mix is Maureen Wilson, the mastermind behind local and Hollywood favourite, Sweatco Studios. Her new facility in the Hotel Georgia will provide hotel patrons and residents with a broad range of personalized health and wellness options.

Award-winning chocolatier, Thomas Haas, is poised to open his first ever shop outside of North Vancouver, with a retail location in the Hotel Georgia.

[vanlaw]

Looks like excavation on the Howe St. side of the pit has wrapped up. They are welding the permanent fence along the sidewalk.

[officedweller]

How deep have they gone? It supposed to be pretty deep.

BTW - anyone notice on the north facade of the old hotel how at the end of the hallway (middle of the wall) the wall structure was made of cinderblcok/brick (i.e. easily demolished) whereas the outer edges of the wall are solid concrete? They must have expected to expand the hotel when it was first built way back when.

[vanlaw]

How deep have they gone? It supposed to be pretty deep.

BTW - anyone notice on the north facade of the old hotel how at the end of the hallway (middle of the wall) the wall structure was made of cinderblcok/brick (i.e. easily demolished) whereas the outer edges of the wall are solid concrete? They must have expected to expand the hotel when it was first built way back when.

I was initially thinking excavation was done, but pit doesnt look deep enough, which i was I qualified with "Howe St side". It looks to be only 3-4 stories or so down. My view is from low floor and partially obstructed. Perhaps they'll take the rest out on the alley side.

[Delirium]

some additional renderings..

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/Toronto416/bgResidences-Page-Index.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/Toronto416/bgContent-Media-Page-Index.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/Toronto416/bgContent-Contact.jpg

[Yume-sama]

That looks amazing :)

[excel]

ballin status.

[mr.x]

If only the exterior was as charming.....I miss Bing Thom's crystal.

[officedweller]

There's no need for a revolving door in Vancouver. TD Tower removed them a few years ago.

Anyone remember when Eaton's didn't have doors (except at closing time) at their rotunda entrance? It just had an air curtain - air blowing down (or up?). They installed doors when the street kids started hanging up in the alcove.

[Delirium]

"There's no need for a revolving door in Vancouver."

now that you mention it, there really aren't very many here. why is that?

looking at the first rendering, i couldn't figure out why Elvis was there. then i realized he was a past guest. i wonder if they're going to project images of past "celebrity" guests on that wall?

[dreambrother808]

^
that's the conclusion i came to as well

[excel]

"There's no need for a revolving door in Vancouver."

now that you mention it, there really aren't very many here. why is that?

looking at the first rendering, i couldn't figure out why Elvis was there. then i realized he was a past guest. i wonder if they're going to project images of past "celebrity" guests on that wall?

revolving doors are for places with very cold and very hot temperatures so that the heat or air conditioning is not lost every time the door is used.

[jlousa]

Revolving doors are going to be making a major comeback in the next few years. With Green being the big thing right now, they really help with energy costs. As mentioned the heating/cooling leaking out the entrances is a huge deal. Air curtains are more elegant in my opinion but again very energy intensive. I

[Delirium]

ah, makes sense. thanks.

for those who didn't know, what looks like a skylight in the porte-cochere area (first rendering) is actually the bottom of the hotel's pool. thought that was kinda neat.

similar to this (1000 Beach.ave condos)
http://www.lestwarog.com/1000beach/images/pool2.jpg

[Hed Kandi]

some additional renderings..

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/Toronto416/bgContent-Contact.jpg

That's an older design.



Here is the finalized one

http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/3289/untitledmh1.jpg

[nikw]

I'm pretty sure that those are the same design. The first is just a lot brighter than the second, and the way the seconds been rendered makes it look a lot taller/elongated than the first rendering. I might be wrong.