272 replies to this topic

[G-Man]

I think would have done alright. The issue isn't View Towers it is just that it has been all alone so long.

Don't think this one is going to happen anyways. I hear it was not popular at City Hall.

[jklymak]

^ Any idea why not? Quibbles about having restaurant space facing N on View, I thought it would be great.

[G-Man]

Because the city considered the application for rezoning, a spot rezoning and not according to the approved plan for harris green. Stupid I know.

[jklymak]

^?? I thought Harris Green could have whatever height you wanted, but couldn't have a FSR above 4:1 (or something like that). Is the zoning going to change now that the new downtown plan has been drawn up?

[G-Man]

Nope other way round unlimited density but no higher than 9 storeys.

[jklymak]

^ Well, that is dumb. But the neighborhood plan is now to allow 20 stories, right?

[Rob Randall]

^No, I believe the current Harris Green guidelines are still in effect although I think there is a willingness to accept extra height in certain circumstances.

I doubt a 20-storey building would get approval.

[hungryryno]

I think Victoria needs to make an exception and allow this one to go higher than the eighteen storey "wall" that is View Towers. It would break up the blah that is View Towers if this one was even just 6 or 7 storeys higher, 24-25 storeys.
I cannot believe Victoria ever allowed such ugliness to be built in such a beautiful city.

[concorde]

I think Victoria needs to make an exception and allow this one to go higher than the eighteen storey "wall" that is View Towers. It would break up the blah that is View Towers if this one was even just 6 or 7 storeys higher, 24-25 storeys.
I cannot believe Victoria ever allowed such ugliness to be built in such a beautiful city.

The View Towers story is a long one, but a very interesting story. I'm talked to a few people who were on city council at the time. If people want to hear the full story, I could tell it in the next few weeks

[Bingo]

I think Victoria needs to make an exception and allow this one to go higher than the eighteen storey "wall" that is View Towers. It would break up the blah that is View Towers if this one was even just 6 or 7 storeys higher, 24-25 storeys.
I cannot believe Victoria ever allowed such ugliness to be built in such a beautiful city.

View Towers was built in the eraly 70's and was ugly when the dug the hole. It's fortunate that they didn't build the second tower on the Fort Street side.

[Caramia]

Yes please concord, I there is a thread about it here: http://vibrantvictor...read.php?t=2439

[vicbc250]

i seen a site accross from view towers a few biuldings down, any ideas?

[D.L.]

That was probably this, 947 Fort - http://vibrantvictoria.ca/?p=323

[vicbc250]

yee it was whats goin there?

[Rob Randall]

At the request of City Hall, the height of the tower has been reduced from 17 to 14 storeys.

This will make for a "stumpier" form and will also ensure that View Towers remains the dominant building on the block.

A roof garden has been added to the smaller townhouse building.

[Mike K.]

Just chop the height by a few floors and call it a day.

What was City Hall's reasoning for the height decrease?

[Rob Randall]

I imagine it had to do with the height greatly exceeding the existing Harris Green guidelines.

[sebberry]

This will make for a "stumpier" form and will also ensure that View Towers remains the dominant building on the block.

Phew, we were close to losing that landmark's claim to fame.. well.. one of them anyway.

[jklymak]

I imagine it had to do with the height greatly exceeding the existing Harris Green guidelines.

OK, but the existing guidelines are 20 years old, whereas the new plan, that they are supposedly in the process of voting in, calls for buildings up to 19 storeys in HG. Of course this particular site they have a 14-storey sketched on the plan, but I'd assumed this was just as an example.

I suppose I can see the purpose in not having two 20-story buildings cheek and jowl. I wouldn't want all of Harris Green the same height. But a blanket exclusion seems silly if in a year the same proposal would be w/in guidelines.

[Caramia]

At the request of City Hall, the height of the tower has been reduced from 17 to 14 storeys.

This will make for a "stumpier" form and will also ensure that View Towers remains the dominant building on the block.

A roof garden has been added to the smaller townhouse building.

GAH!


This is the perfect place for 17 storeys! I wish I could put something in the water to make people WANT density in the core.

What was the DRA's position on it Rob?