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  #61  
Old Posted Nov 26, 2016, 6:53 AM
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  #62  
Old Posted Nov 26, 2016, 4:12 PM
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bring on the eggs and rotten tomatoes, but...

I know I'm supposed to hate the concept, because the viewcones don't allow it to go high enough. I know it's "politically incorrect" to like it. But this is Georgia East, well past 'skyscraper row' around Burrard and Georgia, and the scale and massing complement the VPL and (hideously ugly) CBC building better.
I think the "stepped" buildings are original, and the idea of making more, public plaza space, esp. on Georgia is great. It'll get people down there to sit, shop, or attend the myriad things (shopping, cinema, restaurants, inner courtyards, maybe musical performances, the list goes on) that could be possible there.
Before spitting it out, please consider this. Thank you for your time and consideration.
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  #63  
Old Posted Nov 26, 2016, 11:36 PM
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A little over a week ago, I was able to attend a tour of the inside of the building, arranged by the Vancouver Heritage Society. Representatives from MCMP Architects, Bentall Kennedy and a heritage consultant were on hand to lead the tour. There weren't too many areas we could actually access, as it's currently being used extensively for filming. We were able to go into the second floor offices, the mail sorting area, the employee entrance lobby and one level of the underground parking. What was very beneficial was an up close and personal demonstration of the development in the boardroom at the end of the tour and a preview to the open house, which I also attended.

As much as I think this building would not be saved if it were actually feasible to demolish it, I believe this proposal is a real positive for what is a complex and unique building/situation. The possible re-uses for this building are extremely limited given the complexity of the interior layout and sheer size in general.

There will be minimal demolition to the original building so it's so much more than a facade retention job. There will be a spiral ramp for cars cut into the centre of it and some demo to create an open space to the mall portion on the Homer Street side. Also, and a little unfortunate, the "gondola" on top will be not saved. On the lowest parking level, the idea is to demolish the floor and lower it and make two floors from one. The plan is to have loft-style apartments surround the perimeter of the original building, with parking inside for each unit. More car parking and an automated bicycle parking machine would take up the centre of the original building. All of this would be above the mall below.

I do think it's important to create contrast with the old and new, and trying to mimic the old building's facade would be a mistake. Perhaps the colour scheme should be different but I'm sure lots of changes will take place from this design. The City and architects really want public input on this project but they're determined to make use of the original building with it largely intact.

All in all I think this proposal is strong and a lot of work has been done to imagine this building with new uses. Opening up all sides of it at street level is a very important factor as well.

Here's a few photos from the tour:

This was where a lot of the action (mail sorting) happened:




This was where the entrance to the tunnel that led to Waterfront Station began. It has been filled in:






This mural has been assessed by an expert and it has been determined that it is able to be moved and the plan is to mount it somewhere in the new development:




At the open house:
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  #64  
Old Posted Nov 27, 2016, 10:07 AM
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Really ugly.
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  #65  
Old Posted Nov 27, 2016, 11:22 PM
trofirhen trofirhen is offline
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Originally Posted by urbandreamer View Post
Really ugly.
IMO it is not at all ugly. However, I can see why some people definitely would find it ugly.
Me I find it just the correct density for its transitional location on Georgia east, particularly taking into account the size and scale of its neighbours.
The buildings: the stepped, split, angular building roofs are interesting looking -only IMO - and I like the rooftop garden. I hope that the main building itself will offer variety.
Parking of course, but hopefully a lot of public life, amenities, and events that will energize that part of eastern downtown, providing, for example, more nightlife.
This thing is really really big; almost huge. Whatever the case, it lend, for better or worse, great presence and energy to Georgia going east.
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  #66  
Old Posted Nov 27, 2016, 11:43 PM
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I find the trees on top of the building really ugly. Stop it, those trees will die and that building will look like a chia pet. Shrubbery on buildings is only done right sometimes (Pacific Centre), but usually it just looks really bad.
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  #67  
Old Posted Nov 27, 2016, 11:50 PM
trofirhen trofirhen is offline
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Originally Posted by BobLoblawsLawBlog View Post
I find the trees on top of the building really ugly. Stop it, those trees will die and that building will look like a chia pet. Shrubbery on buildings is only done right sometimes (Pacific Centre), but usually it just looks really bad.
Hey, you're right. Never noticed it before, because I think that I, like many others, was "Pavlovian-Conditioned" to think that any trees on a building were good. "Green is good."
Sometimes it works, but as you say, here, on the terraces, it looks "malplacé." Trees in the roof garden itself, and at streeet level are fine though, IMO.
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  #68  
Old Posted Nov 28, 2016, 7:29 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by urbandreamer View Post
Really ugly.
EDIT - Nevermind.

Last edited by urbancanadian; Nov 28, 2016 at 7:49 AM.
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  #69  
Old Posted Nov 28, 2016, 5:00 PM
truenorth44 truenorth44 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by entheosfog View Post
A little over a week ago, I was able to attend a tour of the inside of the building [...]

Here's a few photos from the tour:
Thanks for that! I was hoping there would be a tour, and was trying to keep an eye out for it, but missed it.
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  #70  
Old Posted Jan 26, 2017, 3:18 PM
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Some new models of The Post redevelopment:









Source: http://urbanyvr.com/downtown-vancouv...dential-office
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  #71  
Old Posted Jan 26, 2017, 4:10 PM
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Pretty bland looking to me. The interior courtyard has the potential to be a cool spot. I don't see much in the way of balconies on the outside though.
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  #72  
Old Posted Jan 26, 2017, 4:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WarrenC12 View Post
The interior courtyard has the potential to be a cool spot.
Or extremely dark.
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  #73  
Old Posted Jan 26, 2017, 4:50 PM
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They could add one of those cool heliostat things like at the 625 Hastings project.
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  #74  
Old Posted Jan 26, 2017, 5:06 PM
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Originally Posted by idunno View Post
They could add one of those cool heliostat things like at the 625 Hastings project.
And fry people like ants under a magnifying glass.
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  #75  
Old Posted Jan 26, 2017, 7:20 PM
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The model is pretty ugly, especially the West Georgia Street portion. Can it be any duller? Why can't they just go tall, sleek and spectacular? Oh yes, the beloved viewcones at play again.
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  #76  
Old Posted Jan 26, 2017, 11:09 PM
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Why do these tower additions have such an 80s 90s vibe... I hate how the addition doesn't pay any homage to the clean and sleek original tower that was never built, or even tried to maintain the section that was built on top. This should have been the new art gallery. With the welded steel structure they could have easily changed around the interior spaces over time making it very adaptable, which the awkward proposed stacked wood box thing does not.

Last edited by retro_orange; Jan 27, 2017 at 1:29 AM.
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  #77  
Old Posted Jan 27, 2017, 1:23 AM
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If the towers were done in, say, reflective bronze glass, that might brighten it up, make it more acceptable. It cannot go tall and sleek, so accepting the short towers is obligatory, really.
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  #78  
Old Posted Jan 27, 2017, 1:31 AM
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I think it's good enough.

I wouldn't have wanted the post office building preserved, but if it reduces waste or satisfies the heritage people preserving arbitrary parts of their childhood -- why not.

I'll take good quality construction, usable floor plan, and fair price any day of the week. I think it's worse to build a bad design that tries too hard, and I don't think the design itself can make this block a great project. This project can be great, by bringing life to what's more or less a dead spot of activity.

What I do like:
- making use of the kilometer of sidewalk frontage
- the upper courtyard and balconies. Seems to catch the right balance of making use of the space, without ruining the residential/office uses.
- this project stands out and succeeds based on large floor plates, and regional connectivity.

Question mark:
- a big cube, in time it will be art for a era. I want to know what kind of glass will be used. Dark blue might be nice. A brass color as with Park Place or the casino, would be nice and match the Central Library. Georgia and Dunsmuir are canyons that catch the light at Sunrise and Sunset. I would take a hard look at how the casino looks when finished, it to is a simple big box with towers above.
- With past/present/future increases in office space for the area, consider lunch demand or dinner for stadium event nights. Maybe allow for food truck parking and more patio seating. The food trucks that have done the best are among the offices near Coal Harbour. If the Art Gallery ever gets built at Larwill Park, the same could be said but I expect the Bay Parkade and neighbouring BMO will have towers built up first.

Last edited by Genauso; Jan 27, 2017 at 1:43 AM.
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  #79  
Old Posted Jan 27, 2017, 2:09 AM
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I wonder if the architect actually analyses shadow-effects on the surrounding streets. They look very dark to me. This would be a pretty miserable place to live in I have to say.
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  #80  
Old Posted Jan 27, 2017, 2:20 AM
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Oh god plz no...
Navy blue spandrel + cheap condo deep blue glass + massive structure + prime/conspicuous location = unmitigated disaster = 9.3 M earthquake.
I don't even wanna imagine.

Just imagine... if all of that was this... That's what the model seems to be depicting..
Picture courtesy of Mcminsen

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