48 replies to this topic

[concorde]

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

Pye is owned by Farmer, but they are union and have been for several years

[Sparky]

Pye is owned by Farmer, but they are union and have been for several years

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[Sparky]

Pye is owned by Farmer, but they are union and have been for several years

Of course I could have looked that up for myself on the web. There are 10 Victoria Contractors signatory to the union, and Pye is one of them.

[VicHockeyFan]

I can't find any website at all. Anyone know what these will be like? I can't recall if the sign says from $149k or from $249k.

[piltdownman]

$199k I think. I've been waiting forever for this project as I love the look of the building. If it starts at $199k, I am very interested at what the units for $300-350k will be like.

[VicHockeyFan]

$199k I think.

That rings a bell too.

[G-Man]

Was by there today 199K it is.

[Kapten Kapsell]

This older article (and the accompanying photograph) indicate that the starting price points will be just under $150,000.

Victoria Victorian to be Converted to Homes
Canwest News Service, HouseHunting.ca
October 10, 2009
http://www.househunt...03-8f7a6408638f

A long-time Victoria property manager and developer has announced plans to put homes in one of capital's earliest hotels....

[glenalan54]

Here are some historic images of the hotel through the years:
July 1884: http://www.flickr.co...ory/1232660682/
Found while researching in the Daily Colonist, July 1884.

From my extensive postcard collection of the great buildings of Greater Victoria:
http://www.flickr.co...tory/753990879/

Photograph I took of this splendid building in August 2009:
http://www.flickr.co...ory/3869842813/

A brief history from my 'Victoria listing'
http://docs.google.c...3c4n46zhn&hl=en

Oriental Hotel* (1883)
Addition (1888)* ~ a new look for its time.

Teague, John, archt.
(30) 550-554-560 Yates Street
Oriental Saloon* (1863)
McKeon & Trehart (1871 dirs.)
A decorative and structural use of cast iron. St. Francis Hotel* (1906) > Prohibition (1917); > Goodwill (1958) >Restored (1981) > Renovations (2006)

[piltdownman]

Progress, the Website has Launched, and units are showing up on MLS

[phx]

Some of the units on the second floor appear to be limited in terms of natural light. Is this really the type of housing that should be built?

[G-Man]

My answer would be yes. Why would the amount of natural light determine whether the developer should attempt to sell the unit?

[piltdownman]

^I agree let the market decide. These are pretty much the least expensive units on the market which will help.

Its not for me, but I'm sure they will see out.

[phx]

I suppose, but it does seem that political and economic pressures are conspiring to produce low quality housing.

[VicHockeyFan]

Some of the units on the second floor appear to be limited in terms of natural light. Is this really the type of housing that should be built?

Blind people housing.

[phx]

Blind people housing.

OMG!

That's brilliant!

And the 5' high "storage lofts" can be habitable space for midgets!

[phx]

let the market decide.

If the market were to decide, the decision would be to demolish and build much higher.

[VicHockeyFan]

OMG!

And the 5' high "storage lofts" can be habitable space for midgets!

Not even that. Average female height in these countries is under 5 feet:

Indonesia
Philippines
Mexico
Peru
Indonesia – East Java
Philippines
India
Vietnam

[piltdownman]

It was pointed out to me that these units are perfect for people that travel alot. Either Up In The Air types or retirees that only spend a month or two in the city. Or as a second home for people that do business in the city.

Personally this is sort of the kind of unit I'd like to own in Vancouver. I live here, but go to Vancouver several times a month. It would be great to have a tiny unit in downtown unit in Vancouver, so I could avoid hotels or my parents house out in Surrey.

[piltdownman]

If the market were to decide, the decision would be to demolish and build much higher.

This is the exact reason we are seeing these tiny units. The city is against high buildings, so developers must find other ways to lower unit costs to bring in first time buyers.