Downtown Vancouver Updates - Page 450

wrenegade · #**8981** Posted: **Jul 12, 2012, 11:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by djh

Yeah, I was at the one at that JJ Bean last night. I don't really think that counts as a mini-park, whatever they say, because as OD alluded, they end up being an extension of the patio for the nearest cafe/restaurant. Last night at JJ Bean I saw quite a few customers using the seats as a patio. So these mini-parks become a boon for the lucky food & beverage-oriented retailer that they go in front of.

Probably why Cafe Crepe was so gung-ho on the idea. Perfect place for it in my opinion.

SFUVancouver · #**8982** Posted: **Jul 12, 2012, 11:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by djh

So these mini-parks become a boon for the lucky food & beverage-oriented retailer that they go in front of.

That begs the question of whether the building owner/retailer would prefer an on-street parking space or a parklet in front of their business?

djh · #**8983** Posted: **Jul 12, 2012, 11:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

That begs the question of whether the building owner/retailer would prefer an on-street parking space or a parklet in front of their business?

No question, if it was my food business, I'd rather the park over the parking.
2 parking spaces hold ~10 potential customers who may or may not even come in to your business - they just took the parking spot because it was there.

Whereas, the parklet outside JJ Bean probably has 30 seats. It's made for people to sit around and linger in the area, which means they are very likely to want a drink or something to eat while they do that.

In fact, I think it would be fantastic if the city's ongoing policy was to have a parklet every other retail block from now on.

easy as pie · #**8984** Posted: **Jul 13, 2012, 12:14 AM**

http://dirt.asla.org/2011/09/07/vanc...gets-parklets/ a short backgrounder that led me to the viva vancouver parklet entry showing another parklet planned for the boonies: http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/streets/...es.htm#hottubs

pretty neat. a couple things though. here in sf, parklets are emphatically three things:
1) public space;
2) tied to a merchant/community sponsor responsible for petition and maintenance fees (parking offset fees); and
3) constructed and maintained by the merchant/community sponsor.

it seems like vancouver is moving ahead on these along lines similar to city installations or even public art - without a sponsor requirement, at the city's own cost, absent a parking offset fee and under the aegis of a city office rather than parks (as one might expect in vancouver) or planning (as is the case in sf). very interesting. good call to start this sort of initiative in front of friendly retailers in friendly neighborhoods too, the sf experience found that even the most mindlessly hostile pro-parking anti-street improvement forces of 2010 have now come around to the benefits of a re-invigorated street space. so that some demonstration spaces will be essential - starting in the friendly mt. pleasant, moving to potentially skeptical robson, then across the styx in nowheresville - three examples that should serve as excellent proofs of concept.

Metro-One · #**8985** Posted: **Jul 13, 2012, 12:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

That begs the question of whether the building owner/retailer would prefer an on-street parking space or a parklet in front of their business?

I think for cafe Crepe they would prefer the parklet, for two reason, the first being that the cafe crepe location is the narrowest point of the sidewalk (the building juts quite far out), and second they are an eatery.

Such parklets would probably do little to help a fashion retailer, or other such businesses.

That being said, I like these little parklets but their locations should be targeted in front of eateries.

Oh, and on another Robson note, once again walking downtown all of the garbage cans were overflowing onto the side walk and making a mess, again memo to Vancouver, a pleasant pedestrian experience is one where you are not constantly walking over garbage

Also saw a bunch of graffiti tagged on tree trunks near the Burrard street bridge / beach area, very nice, thank you assholes.

giallo · #**8986** Posted: **Jul 13, 2012, 4:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

That begs the question of whether the building owner/retailer would prefer an on-street parking space or a parklet in front of their business?

I always come in to these Vancouver construction update threads with the hope that you'll have posted a huge photo...ahem....update. Not hinting at it or anything, I just appreciate the hard work you put in to it.

SFUVancouver · #**8987** Posted: **Jul 13, 2012, 6:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by giallo

I always come in to these Vancouver construction update threads with the hope that you'll have posted a huge photo...ahem....update. Not hinting at it or anything, I just appreciate the hard work you put in to it.

Thanks giallo. I'll put one together as soon as I can.

vanman · #**8988** Posted: **Jul 13, 2012, 10:09 AM**

Awesome, looking forward to it. I've been meaning to do updates myself but I still haven't got my hands on a dslr. To use a crappy iphone camera doesn't seem worth the time or effort.

officedweller · #**8989** Posted: **Jul 13, 2012, 7:31 PM**

Pics by me yesterday and today - Granville & Robson crane erection:

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

hollywoodnorth · #**8990** Posted: **Jul 14, 2012, 8:44 AM**

looks like things are going ahead on the vertical expansion of this heritage building called "Beatty Gate" on Beatty St ... exciting!

(pic by me)

will look like this >>

pic C/O >> http://www.crosstowncondos.com/Blog....owncondsos.com

agrant · #**8991** Posted: **Jul 14, 2012, 4:28 PM**

Wow. That is quite the vertical expansion. Surely this is one of many to come for the area, seeing there are fewer and fewer options for adding density to the downtown.

AverageJoe · #**8992** Posted: **Jul 14, 2012, 6:11 PM**

Looks like a great addition to the area next to Stadium Station. Cafes would be great in that "courtyard" area.

What is with the candy-coloured wall though? The original red brick suits the area just fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

looks like things are going ahead on the vertical expansion of this heritage building called "Beatty Gate" on Beatty St ... exciting!

(pic by me)

will look like this >>

pic C/O >> http://www.crosstowncondos.com/Blog....owncondsos.com

officedweller · #**8993** Posted: **Jul 16, 2012, 1:41 AM**

Good to hear it's moving ahead.

With the faregates at Stadium Station, I assume, though, that you'll still be able to cut through the station to get to Keefer Steps and International Village?

Built Form · #**8994** Posted: **Jul 22, 2012, 7:55 PM**

According to the contruction crew the Marriott Residence on Hornby will be opening Aug 15th.

pic by Built Form

osirisboy · #**8995** Posted: **Jul 22, 2012, 10:26 PM**

walked by there this afternoon looks really good, that patio seems nice, they have put a fence up since you took that picture and they have nice loooking lounge type furniture

SFUVancouver · #**8996** Posted: **Jul 22, 2012, 10:35 PM**

It's worth adding that the hotel and its contractors did an outstanding job accommodating the Hornby protected bike route throughout the construction process. They had an artist do some lovely, colourful murals on the hoarding that spanned the bike route that encouraged cyclists to ring their bell as they passed through the hoarding to announce their presence.

A little further down at Concert's new Salt tower they are also doing an outstanding job of accommodating the bike route. Considering that to date construction companies have had no experience with this type of street configuration they have done a great job adapting.

easy as pie · #**8997** Posted: **Jul 23, 2012, 3:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Built Form

a mad scientist given only this building and unlimited resources couldn't have perpetrated a more heinous attack on the people of the city than the design team here managed.

Klazu · #**8998** Posted: **Jul 23, 2012, 8:58 PM**

Does anyone have a picture of how that building looked like before the renovation? I also like the new and fresh look. I seriously hope there would be a similar trend to renovate the awful exteriors of many old highrises in West End.

Darren Tate · #**8999** Posted: **Jul 26, 2012, 5:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

It's worth adding that the hotel and its contractors did an outstanding job accommodating the Hornby protected bike route throughout the construction process. They had an artist do some lovely, colourful murals on the hoarding that spanned the bike route that encouraged cyclists to ring their bell as they passed through the hoarding to announce their presence.

A little further down at Concert's new Salt tower they are also doing an outstanding job of accommodating the bike route. Considering that to date construction companies have had no experience with this type of street configuration they have done a great job adapting.

It's true, the bike paths were treated with utmost reverence. Everything else, however, went to hell. Street closures, detours, confused pedestrians... what a mess.

Darren Tate · #**9000** Posted: **Jul 26, 2012, 6:14 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klazu

I also like the new and fresh look. I seriously hope there would be a similar trend to renovate the awful exteriors of many old highrises in West End.

Yes, some of them are nasty, aren't they? Crumbling, grungy, mold-covered things. The owners of these properties are simply too cheap to maintain them properly. They're probably waiting for some developer to take interest and buy them out.