[LeftCoaster]

get ready to drool especially with the fly through rendering www.oxfordproperties.com/docs/wv/1021Webvid

Wtf happened to the north shore in this video? It looks like Kowloon! it even looks like they built highrises on Cap golf course...

[Phil McAvity]

The only disappointment with this tower is the height. Six or eight more floors, and this would have been quite a striking and elegant tower. It also would have pierced Vancouver's infernal table-top skyline. Instead it will be reinforcing it even further, as it will be the same height as Shaw and Fairmont Pacific Rim.

I thought Wall Centre finally broke the table and then Shangri-La even more so. :shrug:

[trofirhen]

It sure would have been a magnificent addition to the skyline (as well as an aesthetic improvement to the building itself) if Hastings was to soar ten floors above Shaw and Fairmont Pacific Rim instead of just reinforcing Vancouver's truncated table-top even further.

Too bad.
:previous::previous::previous:
Totally agreed. Yet ... I maybe naïve, but I see this tabletop as being a quality tabletop. And punctuating this tabletop will be some higher, truly landmark towers which must be of the utmost brilliance and beauty in architecture. There is still time to dramatize the skyline, but it may take a while.

[Mininari]

Considering that I never saw a tower on this site coming... I'll take this one!
More height would be nice... but you know what, this will be a beautiful addition to the Vancouver Skyline.

Hoping to be watching it rise soon. :cheers:

[wrenegade]

Ha! Love the rendering of the North Shore in that video. Like that would ever happen.

The building is absolutely gorgeous though.

[Metro-One]

People are so funny on this forum, nothing is good enough.

We cry for an office tower, we finally get one.

We cry for inspired designs, we finally get one.

We cry fro hight, well, this one is our highest office tower proposal, and it is the one likely going ahead first.

How do we celebrate? We cry about it.

145M is nothing to shake a stick at. In fact if this is considered our table top now, that is a pretty high table top compared to the old "every tower is 100M tall table top" argument one use to hear in this city.

I for one love this tower and I am just fine with the height. Considering the location this is going to be a fantastic addition to our skyline.

[Metro-One]

People are so funny on this forum, nothing is good enough.

We cry for an office tower, we finally get one.

We cry for inspired designs, we finally get one.

We cry fro hight, well, this one is our highest office tower proposal, and it is the one likely going ahead first.

How do we celebrate? We cry about it.

145M is nothing to shake a stick at. In fact if this is considered our table top now, that is a pretty high table top compared to the old "every tower is 100M tall table top" argument one use to hear in this city.

I for one love this tower and I am just fine with the height. Considering the location this is going to be a fantastic addition to our skyline.

[officedweller]

Thanks for the link!

In part, the tabletop form at Burrrad Landing is due to the Convention Centre Expansion - the original plans for Burrard Landing was 3 or 4 shorter towers, but the VCCEP consolidated the space into two taller towers.
So if Burrard Landing (with more towers) was built at similar heights to Waterfront Centre, then you'd have the striking tower rising above the others.

[crazyjoeda]

I love this building but I could have been an amazing addition to the skyline if they allowed it to be 200M+ like the Shangri-La tower is. I'm disappointed to see the opportunity lost.

[djh]

^I think what people have to realize is that a tabletop happens when all buildings are built to the maximum allowed height over a uniformly-zoned height restriction, all in one phase of development. No matter what that height is, if everybody builds to it, you get a plateaued profile. The alternatives are to:

a) make the maximum height restrictions vary between adjacent locations based on other merits (would be seen as unfair; could actually create quite an unattractive profile)

b) raise the height restriction substantially (e.g, 1500 ft) - would cause undeveloped lots to skyrocket in value...and then ultimately not be developed to their potential as very very few local developers could afford to buy and then develop on such a lot; would cause massive other problems (street shadowing, block traffic congestion, wind tunnels, utility overload).

c) Generally stagger the height restrictions. Either temporally (e.g., start at say 100m, 10 years later raise it to 150m, then 200m, etc.) or geographically (e.g., 100m at the waterfront, 150m the blocks behind, 200m behind them, etc.). The city seems to be doing something similar to this, and although at the moment we are in the middle of this process and it's not complete so it doesn't look great, I think in future years, once it's allowed to mature, I think it could potentially look fantastic.

[Metro-One]

I would love to see the reaction on this forum if this tower was proposed as a 25 story tower, and would be the same height as Guinness and the Marine building.

That would be a true table top...

The fact that were are complaining about 145 meters as a table top makes me feel good about Vancouver, we have added a decent amount of height to our once dominantly 90 to 110 meter skyline.

[giallo]

^Some people are complaining, but not this guy.
1021 is the most exciting project to hit Vancouver since the Shangri-la. I can't wait for it to start.

[Metro-One]

:previous:Nice to see I am not alone :tup: this building essentially has everything I have been asking for, office, very beautiful design, great interaction at the base, good location and decent height at 145m. In fact, this building has perfect proportions IMO.

[Metro-One]

Here are a couple more renders from the official website:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5938209751_7430a6ed75_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/5938210163_6a1658a7dd_z.jpg

http://www.1021westhastings.com/

Looks great!

[Coldrsx]

So sexy... Lucky

[quobobo]

b) raise the height restriction substantially (e.g, 1500 ft) - would cause undeveloped lots to skyrocket in value...and then ultimately not be developed to their potential as very very few local developers could afford to buy and then develop on such a lot; would cause massive other problems (street shadowing, block traffic congestion, wind tunnels, utility overload).

I've raised this point before, but: upzoning significantly raises the value of land because upzoned land is scarce. This isn't the case if large swaths of Vancouver are upzoned at the same time.

[jlousa]

You won't hear me complain about this one. In fact I hardly ever complain about a building not being taller.:cheers:

What occurs in some cities (w/o view cones) is an area is just zoned to a certain height, it manages to avoid a tabletop effect due to the natural rising and falling of the terrain. It creates a fairer playing field with a more natural appearing skyline. The properties located on top of hills become more valuable then those at the bottom of the hill.
Wonder what d/t would look like with a 150m height limit across the core following the terrain.

[Architype]

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/310maxx.jpg
from www.1021westhastings.com

This will still be a sharp looking addition to the skyline even at the proposed height.

[Metro-One]

:previous:once again the Coal Harbour skyline will further its advance as Vancouver's most interesting angle vs. the False Creek skyline IMO.

[Hed Kandi]

God I hope this is built. The last thing that we need is another 'Vancouver's Turn'.

[officedweller]

The following pics from www.1021westhastings.com
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/310maxx.jpg


If HG3 weren't Green, there wouldn't be as much of a "void" next to the Shaw/Pacific Rim/Oxford cluster.

Also, remember this project that JLousa saw mentioned in BIV should fill the gap between Bentall IV and Shaw from this perspective - the view cone allows about 420 ft at 1050/1090 West Pender.



A recent land swap has Bentall Kennedy poised to build a landmark building, which could be one of Vancouver’s tallest structures, a couple of blocks from the Burrard station.
Bentall Kennedy secured ownership of a 0.73-acre site at the corner of West Pender and Thurlow streets after it agreed to a transaction with West Pender Property Group. Bentall bought the corner building at 1090 West Pender Street on behalf of client Westpen Funds in exchange for $19.5 million
and a 50% stake in the mid-block 1050 West Pender Street structure, which Bentall Kennedy’s client previously fully owned.
“We now control from 1050 West Pender Street all the way to the corner,” Astles said. He added that Bentall aims to rezone the property for a potential new office building but, because of the leases in the building that the company acquired, the plan could take some time to realize.
Source: This weeks BIV

Don't expect any immediate movement on this but it's good to see that Bentall has big plans, and feels that with all the office projects on the go that their is still appetite for more.

[LeftCoaster]

New renders look great, I'm really excited for this one to move forward. Re the height, if you asked me if I were to add 10m to it would I? Yeah probably, but I'm sure not going to complain about the height as is. Especially considering the size of the lot...

[red-paladin]

I like the height of this building the way it is, as the floor plate size is small, and it would detract from the other two buildings if it was substantially taller, especially the Marine Building. Also, regardless if the city 'should' be a dome or not, I think that having a building at this height at this location is appropriate. It would look strange in the skyline if it was too tall, as it is not more centrally located, at least in my opinion, as I like the idea of step backs or even a dome rather than randomness.

[Prometheus]

I like the height of this building the way it is...it would detract from the other two buildings if it was substantially taller, especially the Marine Building.

To hold something down (or make something less beautiful) because it might outshine its neighbours is an unhealthy philosophy unfit for a rational and creative society. Moreover, you are wrong on your own terms. A taller version of this building would frame the Marine Building much better as one looks west on Hastings. The odd height differential under the current proposal lacks a classical harmony that is unflattering to both buildings.

[trofirhen]

To hold something down (or make something less beautiful) because it might outshine its neighbours is an unhealthy philosophy unfit for a rational and creative society. Moreover, you are wrong on your own terms. A taller version of this building would frame the Marine Building much better as one looks west on Hastings. The odd height difference under the current proposal lacks classical balance and is unflattering to both buildings.
:previous:
Agreed, totally.

[mr.x]

To hold something down (or make something less beautiful) because it might outshine its neighbours is an unhealthy philosophy unfit for a rational and creative society. Moreover, you are wrong on your own terms. A taller version of this building would frame the Marine Building much better as one looks west on Hastings. The odd height difference under the current proposal lacks classical balance and is unflattering to both buildings.

Couldn't agree more.

I'm pretty sure that's the same philosophy the City had when it influenced the design of the expanded convention centre in relation to the iconic sails of Canada Place...not saying that the new convention centre isn't great, but it could have been better...

[trofirhen]

Isn't there any way to get a few more floors added ... someone .... PLEEEEAASE?!?!

It would look so much better if it were just that much taller ........ :rolleyes:

[Canadian Mind]

Based on the pic build form put up, I don't think an increased height would have a significant effect on the skyline. 10-15 meters would not be much of an impact, sad to say.

However, I agree with what Prometheus has to say. If it were taller it would frame the Marine building better, complimenting both structures. But it is what it is. Cross fingers for an immediate start up.

[cityguy]

what a beautiful building,lets hope in turns out like the rendering.

[Chadillaccc]

It sure would have been a magnificent addition to the skyline (as well as an aesthetic improvement to the building itself) if Hastings was to soar ten floors above Shaw and Fairmont Pacific Rim instead of just reinforcing Vancouver's truncated table-top even further.

Too bad.

Agreed... even up to 20 floors... very sad.

[trofirhen]

Agreed... even up to 20 floors... very sad.
:previous:
20 floors taller ! ! You gotta be kidding! Ths is Vancouver, where tall buildings are evil, blocking the views of the mountains, scaring away tourists, and traumatizing the children.

[geoff's two cents]

:previous:As has been repeated on this forum numerous times, adding 10 or 20 floors would mean having to add an extra elevator shaft. An extra elevator would lessen the leasable square footage for each floor, making the building less profitable from a development standpoint.

I'd be curious to know how many of those ranting about the building's height have actually seen the site in person (in recent years). That footprint is tiny! I'm frankly surprised the architects were able to pull off what they did.

Or, maybe you guys would prefer it if they just demolished the Marine building to make room for a taller tower that could actually be profitable. Just sayin.';)

[trofirhen]

:previous:As has been repeated on this forum numerous times, adding 10 or 20 floors would mean having to add an extra elevator shaft. An extra elevator would lessen the leasable square footage for each floor, making the building less profitable from a development standpoint.

I'd be curious to know how many of those ranting about the building's height have actually seen the site in person (in recent years). That footprint is tiny! I'm frankly surprised the architects were able to pull off what they did.

Or, maybe you guys would prefer it if they just demolished the Marine building to make room for a taller tower that could actually be profitable. Just sayin.';)
:previous:
Yes, you're right on all counts. And nobody (well, nobody in their right "Vancouver mindset") would want to demolish the Marine Building. I know you were being facetious, but, hey, some nutso group out there might start pressing for that!!! You never know!

As far as the small floorplate, etc ... yes .... we are lucky to have that building going in there, even if it isn't the building of our dreams (in terms of height anyway) I guess we should be thankful for what we have (or WILL have) but I'd still like to see a couple of 200m+ downtown, if only to break that "tabletop" effect.

[Phil McAvity]

:previous:
Yes, you're right on all counts. And nobody (well, nobody in their right "Vancouver mindset") would want to demolish the Marine Building. I know you were being facetious, but, hey, some nutso group out there might start pressing for that!!! You never know!

Yeah, there's no shortage of nutbars in Vancouver, like the people who want the city to tear down the two viaducts. The amount of public support for this kind of lunacy is frightening. But I digress....

The tabletop has already been broken guys. Not every new building will break it further.

[officedweller]

http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Oxford+downtown+tower+kicks+round+construction/5216444/story.html


Oxford's downtown tower kicks off new round of construction
The buildings, offering more than a million square feet of office space, will be welcome additions in an area with low office vacancy rates


The slender 35-storey office tower Oxford Properties is building in the space between the iconic Marine Building and Guinness Tower in downtown Vancouver is a breakthrough.

When Oxford breaks ground, which is planned for this fall, the project will be the first purpose-built office building to start construction in the downtown core in almost a decade.

...

For Oxford, vice-president David Routledge said conditions in the downtown market made its 1021 West Hastings building "the right time, the right product."

"Oxford's Vancouver portfolio is virtually 100-per-cent leased, and we also see a trend of steady demand and good growth in the Vancouver market," he added.

The 1021 West Hastings building will accommodate the facade of its University Club neighbour in its design and contain 270,000 square feet of office space with each floor consisting of some 8,000 square feet to fit in the narrow lot between the Marine Building and Guinness Tower, both of which are also owned by Oxford.

Maury Dubuque, vice-president at commercial realtor Colliers International, said 1021 West Hastings floor sizes are small - about half the size of typical downtown Vancouver office buildings - but Oxford has designed it shrewdly for downtown Vancouver, where there the average office tenant takes up between 3,000 and 3,500 square feet.

"That's a brilliant idea to make use of a small site," Dubuque added.

...

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Oxford+downtown+tower+kicks+round+construction/5216444/story.html#ixzz1UJuzpQNe


Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Oxford+downtown+tower+kicks+round+construction/5216444/story.html#ixzz1UJuAB3lH

[Sir Conga]

[message deleted]

[flight_from_kamakura]

wow, weird turn in the posts.

anyway, high or not, it's interesting the extent to which 1021 here could signal a shift in thinking on proximity and density. wandering around the area recently, i was struck as just how many good buildable lots there are down there. od and j-lo mention pender and thurlow, but right adjacent is a parking structure at everleigh and thurlow that, depending on whatever shading issues there are there, could support a tower of 80+ meters. if one of the more interesting consequences of restrictions on residential development in the cbd is much more tightly clustered office buildings, it'd be a nice (unintended?) result. so in that sense, height and skyline are sort of secondary issues

[Delirium]

looks great from this vantage point!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/Screenshot2011-08-13at734.jpg
http://www.1021westhastings.com/building/

[osirisboy]

it sure does. that's sexy!

[Vancity]

So this project is supposed to begin this fall?

[jlousa]

Work began in Aug. Demo will likely be late this year, a bit of asbestos in the exisiting building.

[osirisboy]

oh thats good news. I didnt know they have actually started work.

maybe this can be switched to approved.

[jsbertram]

wow, weird turn in the posts.

anyway, high or not, it's interesting the extent to which 1021 here could signal a shift in thinking on proximity and density. wandering around the area recently, i was struck as just how many good buildable lots there are down there. od and j-lo mention pender and thurlow, but right adjacent is a parking structure at everleigh and thurlow that, depending on whatever shading issues there are there, could support a tower of 80+ meters. if one of the more interesting consequences of restrictions on residential development in the cbd is much more tightly clustered office buildings, it'd be a nice (unintended?) result. so in that sense, height and skyline are sort of secondary issues

One issue with building at Everleigh & Thurlow is the Skytrain tunnel that runs there while it curves from Burrard Stn to the portal at Portal Park (Cordova & Thurlow).

Today, its not quite the engineering challenge they had when Bentall Centre and the nearby parkades were built back in '70s.

I've heard that Bentall has done some property transactions along W Pender so they now own (or have a majority stake) in all the properties on the south side of Pender from Burrard to Thurlow. I can see the parkades and the towers at 1050 and 1090 being redeveloped for some new Bentall Centre towers and underground parking.

[Dwils01]

Nice to see they started something on this site. Will love to see pictures of this building going up.

Maybe when I go to Vancouver next year, I can see it for myself.

[jlousa]

Fencing went up around the site today.

[Metro-One]

:previous:Fantastic news, Vancouver could be heading to another major skyline change if this tower, Vancouver's Turn and the Burrard tower all proceed near the same time.

Le's just hope that this project get off the ground and far enough along so the growing economic uncertainty in Europe and the US do not stifle them.

[flight_from_kamakura]

yeah, the new bentall building, this one, and the turn all going up at the same time would be fantastic. there would likely be a point in time at which there were cranes at those three sites, as well as the 5 sites in the burrard/howe/hornby corridor up from drake to davie, the mark and rolston, and then 999 seymour along to the telus towers to close the loop. quite the photo walk for an intrepid forumer circa early 2013. just going on all cylinders.

[trofirhen]

:previous:Fantastic news, Vancouver could be heading to another major skyline change if this tower, Vancouver's Turn and the Burrard tower all proceed near the same time.
....

:previous::previous::previous:
Hi Metro. Could you please specify for me which is the "Burrard Tower." Do you mean Bentall 6 ?? Or is there another tower on the books? Thanks;)

[LeftCoaster]

You asked me that exact same question no more than a couple months ago...

It's this one:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=186101

[trofirhen]

You asked me that exact same question no more than a couple months ago...

It's this one:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=186101

:previous::previous::previous:
Yes, of course. Thanks, LC.

[Sir Conga]

I Talked to a few construction workers in the area. They are doing demo work inside, and I was told the full Demo is about a month away.

[phesto]

Some exterior demo work is now beginning.

How long has it been since we saw a pure-office tower break ground in Vancouver?

[Chadillaccc]

Some exterior demo work is now beginning.

How long has it been since we saw a pure-office tower break ground in Vancouver?

Since Bentall 5 broke ground in 2001 :)

Glad to see/hear that demo work is getting started. What is the ETA on ground breaking?

[Sir Conga]

There was a small ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday.

[queetz@home]

Since Bentall 5 broke ground in 2001 :)

Some exterior demo work is now beginning.

How long has it been since we saw a pure-office tower break ground in Vancouver?



How could you possibly forget that, phesto? :P

[phesto]

How could you possibly forget that, phesto? :P

Lol. When it comes to office development in Vancouver, one needs a good long-term memory!

[entheosfog]

The existing heritage building is currently being gutted on the inside in preparation for demolition, except for the facade, I believe. This is from the Cordova side:
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6232/img5980v.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1222/img5981t.jpg

[Metro-One]

Thanks! Very excited about this one...

[PaperTiger]

Me to.

I'll allow myself to be really excited once I see the forms rise above ground. I don't want to be crushed again...

[Chadillaccc]

This is going to be a sweet addition :)

[queetz@home]

Me to.

I'll allow myself to be really excited once I see the forms rise above ground. I don't want to be crushed again...

In that case, at this economy and the 2013 uncertainty, I suggest waiting until the building is topped off...if Metro Tower 3 and even the initial Bentall V phase 1 are of any precedence. I know I won't be really really excited until then.... :sly:

[Chadillaccc]

I wonder when some better/more detailed renders will be released?

[phesto]

I wonder when some better/more detailed renders will be released?

The renderings on the website are about as good as it gets for a project of this nature...

[Prometheus]

I wonder when some better/more detailed renders will be released?

Count me as a person who cannot get enough renders, but this project has already published a large amount of high-quality, detailed, glossy renders of the building's exterior and interior, some of which can be seen on this thread while many others can be seen on their website.

I highly doubt any more will be forthcoming.

[Chadillaccc]

Anyone have any pics on the progress?

I was going to go get some pics last weekend but I got drunk with friends instead lol :$

[vanman]

I actually walked by the site yesterday and decided not to take any pics as there wasnt really anything to see other than fences.

[LotusLand]

Right now they're doing interior work I believe. I don't expect much work to get done in December with the holidays and what not.

[Sir Conga]

The work has been almost entirely indoors as of late... I noticed a few bricks coming off of the front this last week, so they might be getting set to erect the facade bracing. Looks like a few staging areas are about set-up as well.

[Chadillaccc]

Awesome guys! Glad to hear work is progressing :)

[Sir Conga]

Mini-mini-update:

They are still working a lot underground at the moment. I believe the Parkade entrance between 1021 and 1055 (Guinness Tower) will be taken away, so the western entrance is being fitted for self-pay. The big wood front door is off the facade, and it looks quite barren inside the University Club building. I have heard (from a cement worker) the demo will be done before Christmas. I'd really like to watch the demo, so I hope we can get a heads-up on the date.

[Metro-One]

:previous:any positive update on this project is a good update :tup: Thanks for the info!

[LeftCoaster]

Heard Oxford has an offer for a big chunk of space in the building... looks like their risk might pay off sooner than expected.

[Chadillaccc]

Good to know there's big tenants already :)

[queetz@home]

Heard Oxford has an offer for a big chunk of space in the building... looks like their risk might pay off sooner than expected.

The morale of the lesson here is....if you build it, they will come! So Credit Suisse must take heed and do the same for their office tower, which may even help recover some of their financial losses from the European debt crisis...;)

[phesto]

The morale of the lesson here is....if you build it, they will come! So Credit Suisse must take heed and do the same for their office tower, which may even help recover some of their financial losses from the European debt crisis...;)

Apparently Credit Suisse is currently working to launch a pre-lease campaign early in the new year...I think they are still at least a year out before they could start building. Hopefully before a provincial election in 2013 though!

[officedweller]

Heard Oxford has an offer for a big chunk of space in the building... looks like their risk might pay off sooner than expected.

That's interesting given the small floorplates. Most tenants don't like to be broken up over a number of floors.

[Cypherus]

That's interesting given the small floorplates. Most tenants don't like to be broken up over a number of floors.

I wouldn't say that is correct if senior management and executive offices are present.

[s211]

That's interesting given the small floorplates. Most tenants don't like to be broken up over a number of floors.

No kidding. Put me in the "dubious" line for the time being.

[LeftCoaster]

That's interesting given the small floorplates. Most tenants don't like to be broken up over a number of floors.

I know, I was quite surprised when i heard it, source is rock solid though.

Word is the deal is for 8 floors, so quite substantial.

Important to keep in mind it is just an offer, nothing has been signed at this point.

[s211]

I know, I was quite surprised when i heard it, source is rock solid though.

Word is the deal is for 8 floors, so quite substantial.

Important to keep in mind it is just an offer, nothing has been signed at this point.

To clarify, an offer came in from a prospect, or did Oxford send out an offer to a prospect?

[EdinVan]

source is rock solid though.

If I had a penny for every time...

[officedweller]

I wonder if they'd install an internal staircase (Does Building Code even allow a continuous internal volume that tall anymore? Maybe with automatic fire doors on each level.)

Here's the sizes of the floors (roughly 8,000 sq ft per floor) => 64,000 sq ft:

http://www.oxfordproperties.com/leasing/EN/suites.aspx?RegID=6&buID=31170&buName=1021 West Hastings Street &pType=O

TD Tower has typical floors about 16,000 sq ft. (we have 4 floors with some unused space). So it could be for a medium sized law firm if they are willing to be chopped up. It really depends on the internal organization of the tenant and their departments or working groups.

[Coldrsx]

"I wonder if they'd install an internal staircase (Does Building Code even allow a continuous internal volume that tall anymore? Maybe with automatic fire doors on each level.)"

Yup it does, at least in Alberta. Often you work it as a sort of interior atrium with smoke baffles, glass doors, or the like. Mechanically fire dampers can be used if needed.

[NewWester]

I suspect it does: The BC Cancer Research Building has a Twelve story uninterrupted spiral "DNA" staircase. Spent my entire time there wanting to drop a bouncy ball down the centre of it because Maturity.

[jlousa]

Heard a very recent rumour that the government will be taking a large chunk of the building.

[vanman]

Federal I'm guessing?

[s211]

Heard a very recent rumour that the government will be taking a large chunk of the building.

Now that makes NO sense.

[queetz@home]

Heard a very recent rumour that the government will be taking a large chunk of the building.

Ugh! Kinda wish that went to Credit Suisse Tower instead, if true. Given the timing, the only way to save it is a large tenant that would be immuned to a possible BC NDP win in 2013.

[BodomReaper]

Given the timing, the only way to save it is a large tenant that would be immuned to a possible BC NDP win in 2013.

Glad to see I'm not the only one who looses sleep about things such as the impact of an NDP victory on Vancouver office tower proposals. Maybe I don't need therapy after all :cheers:

[LeftCoaster]

Heard a very recent rumour that the government will be taking a large chunk of the building.

Given what I heard the rents are going at I'd be somewhat surprised (and a bit angry) if it was a government tenant.

[wrenegade]

Given what I heard the rents are going at I'd be somewhat surprised (and a bit angry) if it was a government tenant.

our tax dollars at work. fantastic. :hell:

[SFUVancouver]

Prep work for the new Oxford office building between Guinness Tower and the Marine Building.
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/1012/oxfordtowerfrontdecembe.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, December 29th, 2011.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/770/oxfordtowersidedecember.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, December 29th, 2011.

Major renovation work is under way on the garage portal that lies on the west side of the Guinness Tower to make it bi-directional. Currently it is one-way but since the other garage portal will be decommissioned to make room for the new Oxford tower between the Guinness Tower and the Marine Building.
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4811/oxfordtowergaragerenode.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, December 29th, 2011.

[Phil McAvity]

Thanks for the pics and descriptions SFU. :tup:

If I may digress for a minute, what's the deal with that short black office tower in the background of the last pic? Just down the street is it's big brother the Sierra Building, but why did they make this one so small? I remember seeing that tower 30 years and shaking my head at how short it was and wondering why. It even looks more ridiculous now.

[Sir Conga]

Looks even more barren inside now... I imagine with the holidays over, we'll see a little more action here.

[jsbertram]

Thanks for the pics and descriptions SFU. :tup:

If I may digress for a minute, what's the deal with that short black office tower in the background of the last pic? Just down the street is it's big brother the Sierra Building, but why did they make this one so small? I remember seeing that tower 30 years and shaking my head at how short it was and wondering why. It even looks more ridiculous now.

Perhaps when it was built (early 70's?) this location was 'so far away from downtown' that they didn't want to build too big & not be able to fill it.

I suspect that when this area became desirable - thanks to Bentall Centre shifting the 'downtown core' away from Granville & Georgia - the hotel and larger west tower were added to the site.

[officedweller]

There are also other similarly small scale office buildings in the area probably built around the same time.
East Asiatic House, Crown Life, the one at Pender & Thurlow, Evergreen Building, etc.

[Sir Conga]

The must be getting close to the main demo. The sidewalk is blocked off and the doors and windows of the facade are not braced.

[red-paladin]

Perhaps when it was built (early 70's?) this location was 'so far away from downtown' that they didn't want to build too big & not be able to fill it.

I suspect that when this area became desirable - thanks to Bentall Centre shifting the 'downtown core' away from Granville & Georgia - the hotel and larger west tower were added to the site.

I wouldn't mind to see all three of those towers gone one day.

[urbandreamer]

^No! :(

I worked in the taller of two black office buildings and love those designs! Would love to see modern condo towers inspired by their designs.

Maybe the gov't is vacating an older building that will be sold to a condo developer?

[EdinVan]

^No! :(

I worked in the taller of two black office buildings and love those designs! Would love to see modern condo towers inspired by their designs.

I concur. The taller of the towers, 1177, is a bold, dramatic building. It has "presence". The shorter one isn't bad either, and has a very nice lobby. The hotel in between has an interesting lighting feature which animates the area.