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: