991 replies to this topic

[Nparker]

...I don't understand the black gates. There's no fence running the length there currently so I don't know what the plans are. Is the walkway going to be split in two east/west?

Is this to which you refer?

[Rob Randall]

^Yes, I was hoping for a solution that would successfully integrate the walkways together but the gate implies they will be split in two like the one between 834 Johnson and the CCC.

[Nparker]

I agree. Uniting the walkways seems like the better solution, but I suppose having the front doors of several private residences directly off the walkway precludes this to some extent.

[2F2R]

Dare I ask ... when do we predict excavation might begin ...

[aastra]

I hate to be such a stinker about this project but doesn't it seem like they phoned in the design of those townhouses? It's as if the city has advocated for these mid-block passages while never really coming to terms with why they're doing it. What's the point If there are no meaningful standards for the environments within? Shortcuts for the sake of shortcuts?

 

The passages need to be attractive (dare I say it, "hidden gems") so that they get a regular flow of traffic, so that the user gets rewarded for entering, and so that residential and/or commercial uses might actually be able to succeed within them. I'm making a distinction here between mid-block passages as merely serviceable shortcuts as versus mid-block passages as instruments for enhancing the downtown environment. The "serviceable shortcut" aspect should be way down on the list of concerns. Heck, it shouldn't even be a concern at all.

 

Era and the Hudson did it right. The passages need to have personality or else they're pointless. If a passage lacks personality then all you've done is accommodated that small number of people who used to cut through the parking lot. Accommodating such people should be a concern for city planners? Give me a break. Anyway, I'll be surprised if these passages on the 800-block aren't duds.

[Nparker]

...I'll be surprised if these passages on the 800-block aren't duds.

The existing mid-block crossing here is already a bit of a dud. I am not sure anyone needs a short cut from Yates to the CCH in any case.

[aastra]

 

The existing mid-block crossing here is already a bit of a dud.

 

That's because it wasn't wide enough.

[Rob Randall]

 It's as if the city has advocated for these mid-block passages while never really coming to terms with why they're doing it. What's the point If there are no meaningful standards for the environments within? Shortcuts for the sake of shortcuts?

 

I agree. I feel by the time the architect puts pen to paper they themselves are unsure whether this passageway that been imposed upon them should attract or repel people. It's like their heart isn't into it.

[Nparker]

With no commercial spaces planned along this walkway (right?), other than staff entering the government offices on the west side and residents accessing the townhouses on the east, who is going to be drawn into this area regardless of how wide it is?

 

Fan Tan Alley is extremely narrow, so it's not like a space needs to be wide to create vibrancy.

Edited by Nparker, 09 June 2017 - 03:00 PM.

[aastra]

 

That's because it wasn't wide enough.

 

I was joking, FYI. A wider lane might be justified or beneficial where (for example) it would facilitate a nice view through to another building or some such thing. Or where more light might aid trees etc. within the lane. But wider doesn't equal better just because.

[Kapten Kapsell]

Have sales started for this project?

[Bingo]

Era and the Hudson did it right. The passages need to have personality or else they're pointless. If a passage lacks personality then all you've done is accommodated that small number of people who used to cut through the parking lot. Accommodating such people should be a concern for city planners? Give me a break. Anyway, I'll be surprised if these passages on the 800-block aren't duds.

 

Passage personality here is not going to cut it with the cycling population as one end of the passage would access View Street that has been confirmed as inhospitable.In short you are correct... it's a DUD.

[Nparker]

Passage personality here is not going to cut it with the cycling population as one end of the passage would access View Street...

Unless the developer has undisclosed plans to extend the "YonY" project across Yates Street - perhaps via some sort of skyway to Yello - the mid-block passage will connect Johnson with Yates, not View. I am not sure how cyclists feel about either of these streets.

[ovovov]

went to see their vip event, was told the following:

 

1) 1bed no parking is about 350k

2) 2bed with parking is about 400k.

 

sales person has no idea about the pricing, nor know how they are going to assign/sell the suites.

 

buyers has to fill a suite request form listing their 1st, 2nd, 3rd 4th and 5th choice.....

 

it's not a draw either... sales person was not able to explain how this **** works

 

 

350k without parking is a no go for me as  it indicates the price is like $740/sqft. it does not make sense to keep the cash flow positive either.

[MarkoJ]

I've bought 6 pre-sales since 2009 ((834, Promontory, Era, Encore (two units), and most recently Lyra a couple of months ago)).

I've always bought where I've seen a 10 to 15% discount to re-sale market.

Problem right now is the market is so overheated and there is so much speculation that there is very little, if any discount to near new re-sale comparables.

I sold my Era one bed without parking for $362k a month ago thinking I would get back into the Yates on Yates at around 300k+GST for a similar unit but such is not the case; strategy backfired

[zoomer]

This rendering from the Chard site looks great - much better than the initial renderings of course.

 

Edited by zoomer, 14 June 2017 - 10:17 AM.

[Nparker]

This rendering from the Chard site looks great...

One small quibble...those don't look the the buildings that actually exist on Johnson Street (as seen through the mid-block walkway). Red awnings & ground floor retail? The CCH is also conspicuous for its absence. 

[DougG]

The walkway through the Union on Pandora is a bit of a dud. It's serviceable enough (although a bit narrow in spots) but it has no personality at all. Considering that it's supposed to reflect the historic Theatre Alley, it's a bit of a disappointment. And they close the gates really early. 

[FirstTimeHomeCrier]

Email today says the presentation centre is opening for pre-registrants tomorrow and Sunday, and then for the general public on July 1. Notwithstanding the fact that I can't afford any of their units and am busy preparing to move in one week, my main reason for not attending is that they have not promised free macaroni and cheese (unlike the 989 Johnson launch). 

[ovovov]

any insider info on pricing/and how sales going?