Kenneth Chan writes in VanCity Buzz about the newly revised tower being proposed for 555 W Cordova. To me, it seems to be an unusually detailed article, with illustrations galore.
Within the constraints of the new design principles, the building will be pushed back towards the rear of the development site next to Waterfront Station and rotated 90 degrees to open up the space on the West Cordova Street frontage to create a large plaza area. With the rotation, the building is positioned in an east-west axis instead of a north-south axis.
In addition to the shifting and rotation, the design of the building’s lower floors in relation to the cornices of both Waterfront Station and the adjacent Landing office building have changed. The ground level is now porous, as requested by the UDP, so that the public can walk through the site and see views of the harbour and mountains.
I can’t tell from this puff piece where the author stands on the whole thing. Richard Henriquez had the best idea of the evening when he strongly encouraged CF to leave the 555 vacant as public space and build just north of the station, likely integrated into the transit concourse. This notable idea would benefit both CF and Kerfoot, as well as the public. Such a departure would take cooperation by all landowners and interests, including the Port. The City Planning Department is the best positioned entity to lead – or delegate – such a process. The landowners should finance this effort, IMO.
Nice article.
Good objective reporting on a factual level, without bias, with quotes from the architects as to their intentions.
It’s not an opinion piece – so good to see the author exercising restraint in what he thinks personally.