I think we are lucky that it was not. The combined area of the Edward Chapman building and the 8-storey brick office building on the corner appears to be just enough to support the construction of an office tower with a height equal to or greater than (due to viewcone shadows) the Exchange. Had the Edward Chapman building been incorporated, the opportunity to build another substantial office tower on that block would have been lost. We would have been stuck with that sad 8-storey brick office building forever.
I'd actually rather see a 10-12 storey infill building on the Edward Chapman site - the site is wide enough and the city has started approving densities high enough to make such a design work. Skinny, very dense buildings like that have a even higher feeling of urbanity than towers for me, and we don't have many opportunities for them unless the city starts approving higher densities in Gastown. The 8 storey building on the corner already uses the site pretty well and is competently-executed for the style; however the pink-grey 6-storey building across the street needs to go ASAP.
There are a few of those shorter brick building that could be ripe for redevelopment -
- west of the Edward Chapman's, as mentioned
- east of Jameson House (north of The Exchange)
- east of Terminal City Club
as well as some older ones like the Vancity on the corner.
Nah! They're just worry about the crane pointing the wrong angle and ruining the feng shui.
I was just about to post something to that effect, when I read yours. (imagine a crane smashing through the windows at JH. Now that'd be bad feng-shui)........
This will be a real "long haul" (maybe a couple of years until it's all tish-tosh.)
Worth waiting for though. Sure it could have been a fistful taller, but I think it'll really add density and presence.
Something to very much look forward to.
Great pics; thanks mcminsen!!
Makes me wish I could stroll around the city more frequently.
This project is clearly a big number, as visible in the foundation work, but also the impact it is having on neighbouring buildings.
I'm still intellectually curious if this building will truly fill its 'role', or if missing height will be an issue.
^^ For me, it's a huge waste of downtown space, and should've been a lot taller. The table-top effect it will contribute to is definitely not flattering at all. An iconic building should at least have the opportunity to poke through the skyline to be showcased, especially right in the CBD.
Really slow going but I guess it's much more complicated when you're weaving a new building into and onto an old one. There seems to be some new glass on the old building.
I like to imagine it when finished and occupied. It will add so much presence and energy to Howe St, and complement the buildings opposite.
Another canyon taking shape, even if a little less vertiginous than Georgia.
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I was just about to post something to that effect, when I read yours. (imagine a crane smashing through the windows at JH. Now that'd be bad feng-shui)........
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