625 W Hastings | 100M | 28fl | Proposed

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by s211

Who's the property owner proposing this project? I've not seen any mention of that.

The landlord for leases in the 675 West Hastings RBC building (so presumably the owner) is a company named Permanent Enterprises Limited.

Changing City Updates suggested that the rezoning for 625 West Hastings has some benefits flowing to the 675 West Hastings RBC Building, so that suggests common ownership.

EDIT: VancouverMarket.ca also says they have the same ownership:

The proposal also includes the upgrade and heritage designation of the Royal Bank Building, also controlled by the same owner as the vacant lot.

Reminder of the west side of the 601 West Hastings tower.
That's spandrel in the middle to hide the core.

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Source: http://brickvisual.com/projects/

Originally Posted by Prometheus

New renderings:


Source: http://www.bharchitects.com/en/projects/426#4

Area elevations:
601 West Hastings has a proposed height of 108.8 m (357 ft.).
625 West Hastings has a proposed height of 330 ft. - so not a table top.


http://former.vancouver.ca/commsvcs/...elevations.pdf

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by retro_orange

I wonder what that cool stone wall was from and why it wasn't removed when the concrete was poured for the Princess Building. It would be great if that wall is visible after the new tower is constructed.

A little glimpse of history. If that wall could talk...


Nov.21 ’16, my pics

[red-paladin]

Thanks for all the photos

[mcminsen]

The rezoning application sign at the site.



Nov.21 '16, my pics

[Feathered Friend]

Project Stats from the applicant boards.


Some info from the open house

Perhaps owing to the time of day, the turnout was relatively small. A couple of people there were opposed to the project, including some from Jameson House.

As for the building
As is already known, some of the fins will protrude, while others will be set back. This is done in homage to the windows of the existing RBC Building. Also of interest is that the protruding fins will serve as a lighting feature.
The light well will be kept sunlit using mirrors on the roof of the existing heritage structure, as well as mirrors fixed to the new building. The panels will be computer controlled to best capture light during the day.
The earthquake proofing struts will go under the floor plates of the heritage tower. They will be installed as tenants turnover in the existing building. This means that while no one will be inconvenienced, it may be some time before the heritage building is fully seismically supported.
One aspect that I was hoping for, and was pleased to find, is that provisions are roughed in so that floors 4+ can have a passage/connection to the RBC Building. In short, a tenant could have the same floors leased in both buildings, and not need to go to the ground level to cross structures. For this reason, while the building will attract professional and service offices, it also be appealing for tech start-ups that may want to later expand.
As has been pointed out, the site is affected by view cones; 3.2.3, E1, 9.1, 9.2.2 and 12.2 (Queen Elizabeth Park, the Cambie Bridge, Cambie Street and the Granville Bridge). While the roof is at the view cone limit, the glazing will continue upwards to hide the rooftop. As of yet, the CAC hasn't been calculated. The building was trying for an elegant Manhattan infill vibe, and I think it really nailed it. Shovels to earth may be as far as two years out.

http://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applica...ings/index.htm
Deadline for comments is April 30th

[mcminsen]

Thanks for the pics and info. I find it fascinating how the new and old building will meet and how the new building works with and takes advantage of the old light well.



Nov.21 ’16, my pics

[officedweller]

Thanks for the pics and info.

[Changing City]

[QUOTE=A little glimpse of history. If that wall could talk...QUOTE]

That wall is almost certainly a bit of the Leland House Annex that was demolished there quite recently - it was built in 1887 so one of the earliest masonry structures in the city. If you recall, the building that was demolished was covered in steel sheet, and there was some question about whether there was anything of the old building underneath. There actually wasn't; we dug out a 1943 picture that showed a replacement façade, so while there might have been a few bits of original lumber, this is pretty much all that survived of the original structure here.

Much more about the Leland House Annex on Changing Vancouver.

[SFUVancouver]

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

[...]

Perhaps owing to the time of day, the turnout was relatively small. A couple of people there were opposed to the project, including some from Jameson House.

[...]

One aspect that I was hoping for, and was pleased to find, is that provisions are roughed in so that floors 4+ can have a passage/connection to the RBC Building. In short, a tenant could have the same floors leased in both buildings, and not need to go to the ground level to cross structures.

[...]

Thanks for the update. Jameson House residents complaining about a project a block away strikes me as hilarious.

The inclusion of knock-out panels to facilitate future merging of floorplates with the neighouring RBC building a fascinating aspect of this development. Are the two sites owned by the same company? If they're not, it's a clever spec decision at the architectural level to help compel the two buildings to eventually be owned by the same party.

[officedweller]

They are owned by the same company.

*********

Compare with the Ford Theatre and the Westin Grand - there was supposed to be a doorway so patrons could access the hotel lounge during intermissions, but the passage/doorway was never built.

[EdinVan]

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

[url=http://imgur.com/6Oclbyb]Also of interest is that the protruding fins will serve as a lighting feature.

Any time there is mention of a lighting feature on a building, ignore it. Most lighting features are temporary. They're lit up for the first few weeks after the opening of a building, and then you never see them again. West Pender Place comes to mind, as does MNP Tower. Trump Tower lights have been turned off, too.

[Vanville]

My pic taken from Harbour Centre June 12:

[Metro-One]

I really hope this one moves forward.

[osirisboy]

To the people who get all upset when there are lots that get "orphaned" See, they can actually get developed into something substantial!!

[Vanville]

Delete

[Klazu]

It's crazy to think that this tiny block may have THREE office towers going up at the same time! Will be busy for sure.

[mcminsen]

March 18 '19, my pics

fullsizeoutput_733c by mcminsen, on Flickr


fullsizeoutput_733b by mcminsen, on Flickr

[retro_orange]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

March 18 '19, my pics

fullsizeoutput_733c by mcminsen, on Flickr


fullsizeoutput_733b by mcminsen, on Flickr

Thanks for the update! I was wondering about this project for awhile, Is this dead or something? Is it being used for staging of another project?


On a side note I have been thinking we should all chip in on a drone for Mcminsen so he can get us some awesome above ground shots or video too

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by retro_orange

Thanks for the update! I was wondering about this project for awhile, Is this dead or something? Is it being used for staging of another project?

It's being used as a laydown area for Bosa's 320 Granville across the lane.

Latest rumour I've heard is the project is alive but trying to sort our their seismic relationship with the adjacent heritage RBC building.

[mcminsen]

I found the old thread and quoted your post here.

Originally Posted by officedweller

619-685 West Hastings Street

Apparently this is still alive...
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/619-...r-rbc-building


Artistic rendering of 619-685 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. (Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership)
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/619-...r-rbc-building