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The Oriental (500-block Yates St.) | Reno U/C


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#1 Rob Randall

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Posted 07 January 2008 - 09:58 PM

The Heritage Alteration Permit for this project will go to public hearing Thursday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. The public is invited to view the proposal and speak to Council about it.



There will be 27 residential units and three commercial/retail units on the ground floor. The developer is LeFevre & Co.

CITY OF VICTORIA
HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OCTOBER 23, 2007

Absent: Lisa Mort-Putland, Ken Johnson

Present: Richard Collier, Chair
Kerri Ward
Berdine Jonker
Keith Thomas
Erik Berglund
John Adams
Councillor Thornton-Joe
Jim Stiven

Staff
Steve Barber, Senior Heritage Planner
Linda Carrington, Secretary

Heritage Alteration Permit #00069 – 550-560 Yates Street (Oriental Hotel)
Application of Inside Out Architecture on behalf of Oriental Hotel Inc.
Proposed rehabilitation and exterior alterations to a Heritage Registry building. Within DPA #1 (Heritage Conservation) Old Town and Chinatown
Zoned CA-3C Old Town District.
The proposal is to rehabilitate two Heritage Registry buildings, including the Oriental Hotel, for 27 residential units on the upper floors and three commercial/retail units on the ground floor. A new addition to the roof of 560 Yates Street is proposed to provide stair and elevator access to the third floor of 550 Yates Street. As these are Heritage Registry buildings in the Old Town Heritage Conservation Area, a Heritage Alteration Permit is required for all exterior alterations. A variance is required for the height due to the projection of the stair tower above the height limit by 2.5m. A public hearing is required.

Ray Hunt, Architect, advised:

• New addition on the roof to provide a new central elevator
• Natural light into the building is crucial to make it liveable
• Steve Barber’s suggestion to restore the original windows (existing from the
1950’s) on 560 Yates to be more sympathetic, will be referred to the developer
• Existing windows on the east side will provide light to the residents
• One window per unit on the alley side
• Additional skylights to the 6 units on the top floor
• Livability vs. altering the façade is a challenge
• Balancing of the guidelines to provide livability
• Hardiplank panels and 6 windows on the new front addition
• The decorative plaster rosettes will be demolished
• The exterior which is in good condition, will be repainted
• A specialist will be hired to remove samples of paint
• New landscaped courtyard at the rear
• Concrete addition at the rear will be removed
• Security gates will be required

Committee:

• Empathized with the economical and social values associated with the project
• It is important to identify the new windows, but not remove the heritage value of the building
• Questioned the reason for 26 bachelor units
• Prefer not to have windows on the west side, but realize they are necessary for the building’s success
• Intervention to the façade is necessary and important in order to provide an
adaptive reuse, and supply more light into the building

Moved
Seconded

That City Council authorize the issuance of Heritage Alteration Permit #00069 in accordance with:
1. Plans dated October 3, 2007 and October 23, 2007.
2. Development meeting all bylaw requirements except for:
Section 6.7.6(1) – relaxed to permit a height of 17.5m
3. Retention of original wood window sash on the side and rear elevations.
4. Final plans to be in accordance with plans identified above and to incorporate
condition number 3 above.
5. Submission of final details prior to building permit, including:
(a) repair or cleaning of all sheet metal or cast iron building components;
(b) masonry repair, cleaning and repointing specifications;
© detailed working drawings of any proposed new windows.
6. The addition of six windows on the east and west sides of the building, and that the form of the windows be sympathetic to the historic character of the building.
7. The owner be encouraged to restore the second storey windows on 560 Yates Street to their original appearance.

Carried
The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m.



#2 Rob Randall

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Posted 13 January 2008 - 08:28 PM

I like the original cupola thing on the corner. I suppose they could re-create it but it would be a bit phony I guess. And it would interfere with the top floor they are adding.



#3 Nparker

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Posted 13 January 2008 - 10:25 PM

I like the original cupola thing on the corner. I suppose they could re-create it but it would be a bit phony I guess. And it would interfere with the top floor they are adding.


I had no idea that a cupola once graced this corner of the Oriental Hotel. Why were so many of our old gems "modernized" in this way? See also the current Mac's store on Yates/Douglas for a similar disfigurement. Yes it would be phony to add this back, but if done well, it would look SO sweet. Maybe we can demand this of the developer at Thursday's public meeting.:confused:

#4 gumgum

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Posted 14 January 2008 - 07:22 AM

Most cupolas rotted away over time due to weather exposure. I assume this one met a similar fate.

#5 Nparker

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Posted 14 January 2008 - 10:24 AM

:(

#6 Rob Randall

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Posted 18 January 2008 - 11:59 AM

The Public Hearing for this project commenced at approximately 12:26 a.m. and lasted for about 10 to 11 seconds. I cheekily asked Council if the proponent had considered restoring the three-storey cupola and the answer was a resounding "NO!". Passed unanimously.

#7 Nparker

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Posted 18 January 2008 - 12:26 PM

DANG! The cupola is the only part of this building I actually liked.

#8 Rob Randall

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Posted 12 March 2009 - 07:32 PM

A good view of the street:



source

#9 aastra

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Posted 12 March 2009 - 07:35 PM

Sometimes I wish every street was painted up like lower Johnson Street.

#10 Rob Randall

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Posted 12 March 2009 - 07:38 PM

I like the exposed brick in this instance.

The absence of the cupola really stands out in that picture. That corner needs a crown instead of a gap.

#11 AnonAnnie2

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Posted 13 March 2009 - 06:37 AM

I see all this great info and I wonder where you get it from?
I'm looking for photo's/info on a Victoria complex built in the 60's.
Any help/direction appreciated.

#12 Caramia

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Posted 13 March 2009 - 07:49 AM

First stop BC Archives online - do a search.

If you don't find anything there, drop by Victoria Archives in Centennial Square. Bring the address of the building any any other info you know and the staff there will help you.
Nowadays most people die of a sort of creeping common sense, and discover when it is too late that the only things one never regrets are one's mistakes.
Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891

#13 G-Man

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Posted 13 March 2009 - 08:05 AM

You can also get basic info at the library on the building owner etc from the City Directories. Most of the newer ones are in the 900's (DD SYstem) at the far end of the first floor in the library.

#14 Caramia

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Posted 13 March 2009 - 08:54 AM

I copied these last three posts to a new thread because I thought they deserved not to be lost in this topic. Please use this thread to talk about the Oriental Hotel, and this thread to talk about finding Heritage infoz.
Nowadays most people die of a sort of creeping common sense, and discover when it is too late that the only things one never regrets are one's mistakes.
Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891

#15 marotoo

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Posted 09 November 2009 - 09:36 AM

The Heritage Alteration Permit for this project will go to public hearing Thursday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. The public is invited to view the proposal and speak to Council about it.



There will be 27 residential units and three commercial/retail units on the ground floor. The developer is LeFevre & Co.

could anyone tell me if they have refurbished the Oriental Hotel yet..I read that they had studios for sale there..when they had finished.. which was either 2009 or 2010..thanks

#16 TheCesspit

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Posted 12 January 2010 - 02:00 PM

They have not even started yet as far as I know. Certainly not on sale.

#17 Mike K.

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Posted 12 February 2010 - 12:01 PM

Renovations have begun.

Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.


#18 Sparky

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Posted 12 February 2010 - 01:50 PM

Some sub trade tenders are closing Monday February 15th.

#19 concorde

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Posted 15 February 2010 - 07:03 PM

Pye is the general

#20 Sparky

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Posted 15 February 2010 - 08:43 PM

Pye is the general


Is Pye still the non-union arm of Farmer Construction?

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