[New West] The Shops at New West (Plaza 88) | Completed

[Mukmuk]

Yes I am interested on how they will do construction around the skytrain guideway while it's still in service... I hope they go ahead and update New west station so it's more in line with the millennium / canada line... after 25 years it's really showing it's age.

[DKaz]

The Vancity building at Main Street Science World Station was built in the mid 90s while Skytrain was in revenue service. Definitely doable with a bit of planning.

[red-paladin]

I'm surprised they didn't clean the guideway before they built right into the concrete.

[Spork]

Many photo updates. All images taken today by me. They ripped the top off of the old white salvation army building and completely stripped it out. Looks like it is almost ready to start being built out. The rest is pretty self-explanatory. Let me know if you have any questions.

[Spork]

Did anybody happen to save the document on page 14?

[Spork]

It looks like they are now on the floor depicted in the 5th image of SFUVancouver's lengthy post on page 14 (P5). This is the level that looks to be linking up with the mezzanine level of the skytrain station. Some of the concrete has been poured, with the rest likely coming by the end of Tuesday. The level above this one should be the last (with the exception of the roof), as it will integrate with the Skytrain platform.

They have begun pile driving inside of the old Salvation Army building (future shoppers + safeway on top), and have begun pouring some of the second half of the site.

[Spork]

There were some items in the latest council minutes that were discussed that led me to these photos:







There are some more, but they are a bit less exciting.

Source: http://www.newwestcity.ca/council_mi...%20plaza88.pdf

[vanman]

What is with the crap late 80s/early 90s renderings?

This project has been quite the letdown. The only thing I like about it is the overall density and the integration with the skytrain station.

The towers themselves are hideous during the day and only look good at dusk/dawn and night. In the initial renderings the mechanical penthouses were enclosed and hidden but reality has left them exposed. Not to mention all the bare concrete that has been left exposed that in time will be green with algae stains without intensive and continual maintenance.

[SpongeG]

a couple by me from saturday

[Spork]

The building under renovation is getting some serious work done to its foundation. The second half of the site (to the west of where the bus loop road is going to go) looks like they are working to catch up with the other part of the structure, as work on going higher on that one has slowed down. Photos towards the end of the month.

[vanman]

Some recent updates:

[Spork]

Oh snap VanMan! You beat me! No longer the master of Plaza 88

[vanman]

Hey just remember I started this thread hehe.

[Spork]

Just a quick note that they are now working on the theatre portion and have some very high walls going up for the next level. It looks like the roof of that level will be even with the SkyTrain platform, which they are setting risers up to. We should see the next floor poured in the next month, with some interesting activity beside the actual SkyTrain track in the next 2 months on both sides.

The heritage renovation on the white building continues, with most of the foundation work looking to be completed fairly soon. I would bet that they will start adding to that within the next 2 months.

There is no finishing work being done yet. Nor is there any evidence of integration with the Skytrain Station itself. This will have to wait until one or more of the following conditions are fulfilled:
1) They begin work on the heritage (white) building to a significant level
2) Translink secures funds to renovate that station (hopefully by Dec. 31 in conjunction with the Evergreen Line funding deadline).

Unfortunately my cell phone died and is in for repairs right now. Being the only camera that I have, I won't be able to take photos until I get it back.

Let me know if you have any questions about the project, and I would be glad to investigate.

[officedweller]

Thanks for the update!

Found that the website has a webcam on the commercial side now:

http://www.marinusliving.com/

http://www.earthcam.com/clients/plaza88/?cam=2

[vanman]

Time for another update:

[flight_from_kamakura]

Originally Posted by vanman

amazing. and thanks for posting the pics. the huge change here is precisely what one would hope to see at the marine drive gateway project (and every other station, really). just can't wait til this project is done.

[SFUVancouver]

Fantastic update Vanman. A very comprehensive set of photos.

I'm still rather amazed that the commercial portion of Plaza 88 went ahead so soon after the completion of the towers, not to mention without any apparent downsizing from the original scope. I certainly hope that Translink is successful in its efforts to secure its funding plan that includes station renovations, since there otherwise is no money to integrate the New Westminster station into the Plaza 88 project. I would hate to see a scene not too different from the one below remain in place for years to come.

Originally Posted by vanman

[officedweller]

Nice, thanks.
Still not keen on the big blank wall (ditto for Marine Gateway too).

[LeftCoaster]

I'm not either, but at least it is substantially off the ground it shouldnt really effect the feel of the streetscape. Its a pretty standard design here in Singapore, and I find as long as the first 2 or so stories are open the effect of a solid wall isnt really that negative.

Thanks for the updates.