Spare the melodrama. This building is nothing special.

No kidding. It's like a taller, skinnier version of the Nordstrom reno that some of these same posters hate.

So I could be wrong, but it seems like this project might be starting up...

In the last few days, they've put blue temporary fencing around the entire perimeter of the lot (so not just the open basement), put up "this parking lot is permanently closed" signs, and "framed" all the corners of the lot with 2x4s (don't know the term for that, but I've seen it done on other lots just prior to excavation starting).

can I get a Go Christy Go???

that's great news and what I thought was to happen all along. lets see what happens June 1st .... I think we will see excavators on site! ..... booo yaaa!

THANKS CHRISTY!

Although I can concur with your perception to a degree, may I state why I rather approve of this building:
it is understated, and that counts when facing the concrete bunker of Robson Square Howe Street side.
It is in keeping with the height alignment of Howe Street and doesn't jarr or stand out as being singularly odd or strange.
The "European" symmetry of the street will be maintained.

Regarding it being "blaa" or insipid, it is perhaps good to remember that if all buildings were unique and daring, the net result would be a hodge-podge of competing designs.
By remaining clean and sleek, this piece of "infill" will permit other, larger, more archictecturally daring future projects to stand out.

This one is "unexciting," yes, but also cool and understated, a good infill in the right place; complementing, but not overpowering, Robson Square bomb shelter.

Word is that they have secured their first tenant, and are willing to proceed on that basis.

^ That's a nice bit of news/rumour. Downtown Vancouver vacancy rates are still quite low and this building looks as if it will offer larger floorplates than many existing office buildings. The design has nicely evolved over time, too.

I can also confirm s211, construction is a go. They have already closed the parking lot, removed the billboard and surveyors were on site today.

http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/...ps221547d3.jpg
Entire site fenced off, not just former building basement hole as was previous. Parking lot closed.

http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/...ps54cfd448.jpg

>"framed" all the corners of the lot with 2x4s (don't know the term for that, but I've
>seen it done on other lots just prior to excavation starting).

Photo credit: me

Yeah..if its true that this building is indeed happening, Christy does have a lot to do with it...;)

New angle through a dirty window:

http://vuosiamaailmalla.fi/blog/wp-c.../980_howe1.jpg

I took this last Friday. Notice the excavator...hmm... :sly:

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/575...31manulife.jpg

I was just about to post the same! It is indeed an encouraging sign to have more heavy machinery at the site. I am sure they will kick off work soon. :cheers:

Interestingly enough, a gas leak occured at this site today.
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Work crews Wednesday morning quickly contained a gasline leak at a construction site in downtown Vancouver.

An evacuation of the buildings in the 900- and 1000-blocks of Granville, Howe and Hornby had been ordered after the gas line was cut by a construction crew at 9:40 a.m. The law courts were also shut down briefly.

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/news/Down...#ixzz2VNmQo9v9

For a video, see the CTV news link below.

http://bc.ctvnews.ca/buildings-evacu...uver-1.1312388

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While a gas leak is never a good thing, is this undeniable proof that construction on this building has begun? :sly:

I just looked through window and it seems they have done some cleaning on the site in the last few days. Fence around the basement is gone, but the blue fence around the site is there as normal.

I heard from a few well informed sources that this building is now indeed a go. Colour me surprised, I was sure this was going to get put on hold until the next cycle.

One of those rare instances where I like being wrong. :cheers:

Yep, it's definitely a go. They are excavating on the site as we speak.

Great to hear!

Great news!
Hopefully the alley/Granville side has been modified over the renders/model.

Digging.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f5...psb679e13f.jpg
pic by Built Form