[New Westminster] Trapp & Holbrook TH Living | 17 floors | Completed

[officedweller]

Given the arched window detailing on that facade - looks like it'll be painted concrete.

[rcdm]

Best pic I could find of the display model:

[a very long weekend]

wow, that model goes a long way toward alleviating any worries!

[rcdm]

[BodomReaper]

Thanks for the thorough coverage. I honestly expected a bit more from Salient than white spandrel, and punch windows in painted concrete - maybe that's the difference between a high-end Gastown product and suburban projects catering to investors and first-time buyers. In any case, the restored terra-cotta facade of the Trapp Block is still something to look forward to.

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by BodomReaper

Thanks for the thorough coverage. I honestly expected a bit more from Salient than white spandrel, and punch windows in painted concrete - maybe that's the difference between a high-end Gastown product and suburban projects catering to investors and first-time buyers. In any case, the restored terra-cotta facade of the Trapp Block is still something to look forward to.

I just don't like the white spandrel. They should have gone with something better. The backside looks alright, I have no problems with painted concrete.

[officedweller]

I think I like the back side better than the front. At least the appearance of the windows on the tower (not the lower podium area)

[NewWester]

Originally Posted by Jebby

I just don't like the white spandrel. They should have gone with something better. The backside looks alright, I have no problems with painted concrete.

I couldn't disagree more about the white spandrel! From the front the star of the building is the Trapp block facade (which hasn't been reassembled in the photos) which is white terracotta. Putting, I don't know, fuchsia spandrel would be too colourful and draw attention away from the historic facade. White spandrel ties into the white of the facade, providing a unifying link to the rest of the building, without being too attention grabbing.

The back is actually very reminiscent of the original back to the Trapp, and should help maintain the character of antique alley, which I appreciate.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by rbostyle

Scratch that, there's already an updated rendering:


(from http://www.thesalientgroup.com)

The only thing that odd about the spandrel on the front is that it's not consistent - even in the first couple of floors above the [future] heritage façade.

The render shows narrow vertical spandrel next to the concrete uprights from the heritage façade all the way up (as well as horizontal bands)
The as-built has the spandrel on the outside edges for the first level above the heritage facade, then moves to beside the uprights on the next floor - so the entire column of spandrel in the middle is now disconnected from the heritage façade and will "float".
Or maybe the spandrel placement will alternate - inside / outside?

the better look would have been just horizontal spandrel - no vertical spandrel (the concrete already provides the uprights)

Originally Posted by rcdm

[NewWester]

Interesting catch! Yeah, that's weird. I bet it alternates.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the facade replaced. Because 1) woo Trapp facade! and 2) I think it is impossible to judge this building without seeing how the modern addition interacts with the facade.

[officedweller]

I think it'll look fine - it's minimal enough that there won't be a conflict / clash. The spandrel thing is just odd, that's all.

[Chadillaccc]

Anyone know if the historic facades have been reinstalled yet?

[AverageJoe]

Here are a couple shots from today...

From Columbia


From Front St.


(photos by me)

[Chadillaccc]

It's turned out great! Thanks for the update!

[csbvan]

No signs of construction anymore:

IMG_7978 by C B, on Flickr

IMG_7982 by C B, on Flickr

[officedweller]

Thanks!

They switched the operable window pane and the spandrel window pane on the first floor above the heritage façade so the spandrel panels are all in the middle - like in the rendering.

[NewWester]

Trapp looks mostly done with people moving in and the first retail space renters building there space. So far there is a new location of the Coffee Bar and a new Mexican restaurant moving in.

Playing with a new camera lens and summer twilight:

[IMG]Untitled by Michael Bround, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]Untitled by Michael Bround, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]Untitled by Michael Bround, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]Untitled by Michael Bround, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]Untitled by Michael Bround, on Flickr[/IMG]

[officedweller]

They should have lit the name too.

[red-paladin]

Title changed to completed.

[NewWester]

Originally Posted by officedweller

They should have lit the name too.

Yes! It's weird they didn't, eh?