Vancouver House (the condo tower under construction on Howe Street next to the Granville Bridge, designed by Bjarke Ingels) hasn’t even reached its designed height and yet is beginning to appear in and above the skyline from some occasionally unexpected places.
From below the Granville Bridge:
From the bridge deck on a passing trolley:
From Andy Livingstone Park:
From Georgia and Granville:
Thats an unusual design. One wonders what reaction it will provoke on completion
I’m liking it so far. The illustrations that I saw beforehand I didn’t like. The reality is better.
I have a friend who lives across the street. They were dreading this and were thinking of moving to somewhere else (and blaming the mayor) but now that it’s almost done they find that it doesn’t block their view much and it looks good out their window. They’re also very excited that soon they’ll have a grocery store across the street. They’re going to stay. They now talk about how the whole area is going to change for the better.
I think this one’s turning out pretty well…
Cool places for speculators and foreign buyers. OK when they replace a storage building, not so much when they replace affordable rentals.
Perhaps.
But it’s hard to beat the negotiated public amenities and benefits for everyone. I especialy appreciate the heritage and siesmic upgrading of a beautiful stone church and the on-site supply of low cost housing and a daycare. These elements would not materialize if it weren’t for development and a city that negotiates well.
This intriguing 497 ft. high tower by Bjarke Ingels (Westbank is the developer) is a worthy demonstration of the intent of the City’s Higher Building Policy in delivering not merely outstanding architectural design at specific locations that avoid protected view corridors but further, a development that addresses an array of city planning and urban design objectives and requirements. Included in the development (which replaced a mini-storage warehouse and vehicle repair shops) is a 98 unit rental housing component (lower podium) and soon to emerge unique, green-roofed, low scale buildings between the bridge and on/off ramps that will transform this bleak under-bridge area into an active retail/commercial hub for the neighbourhood. In addition to the rental housing, a further $13.5m CAC developer contribution will fund City cultural, heritage and off-site public realm needs.
Another notable example is the striking, Bing Thom-designed 556 ft. high “Butterfly” (rezoned in 2017, in conjunction with the West End Community Plan, 2013) on 1000- block Nelson behind the heritage First Baptist Church on Burrard St., which will be restored and seismically upgraded as part of the development. In addition to this highly acclaimed tower design and Church rehab, the development, again by Westbank, will include 66 units of TRUE, much needed social housing to be owned and managed by the Church, a 37 space daycare and cash contributions totalling, in all, a CAC package valued at $93.3m. Such needed public benefits, provided by the developer in exchange for additional density and height, are, frankly, beyond the budgets of governments to deliver. So long as a thorough, robust assessment against City policy and guidelines of the urban design quality and “fit” of proposed developments in their context, along with public consultation, confirms that the additional density and height can be accommodated, such proposals, in specifically identified areas, should continue to be considered.
Went to the open house for this project before it was a hole in the ground. Felt like a fish out of water. Did not catch the buzz; or the Gesamtkunstwerk. Only went because Mr. Ingels talk on TED was so entertaining; and because it was on the way to the Aquatic Centre. Couldn’t understand how people could be interested in living next to a bridge and its ramps. The miasma of motordom would give me a migraine. Thumbs up for massively monetizing this thumbs down Gesamtkunstcrap location. Anything would have been an improvement. It wasn’t even safe to park there for fear of break-ins.
I recommend you spend a week in downtown Calgary. Granted, they have Prince’s Island Park on the Bow River, but that does not compare to Vancouver’s waterfront, either the built or natural parts. You will undoubtedly return with an appreciation for a downtown that is moving quickly away from mediocrity.
Awesome building in a challenging location close to traffic noise.
Well done.
A real nice addition to Vancouver. Certainly in the Top 10 most remarkable Vancouver buildings if not Top 3 or the top even.
I have been documenting this block of development since 2013 & have over 1700 photos of what’s been happening. There are two reasons for that: I live 5 blocks from the site & can see the building as I write now, from my living room. I have a front row seat. Also in 1986 The Imagination Market opened its doors at 1435 Granville & was there for several years before being forced out & moving to Powell Street. The Imagination Market closed there in 1991. I was one of the people who started that organization which eventually morphed into Urban Source at 16th & Main Street.
Here are my most recent images of the project.
OH hell!! How did the rest of you do it????
I want to post photos!~!~
Hi Daphne: nice to hear from you.
I suggest that you upload your pix to an online site (there are many of them; try Google Drive, for example). Then post the link here.