581 replies to this topic

[jonny]

There are two office buildings nearby that I know aren't full, so I'd think office would be a hard sell at this point.

 

I wonder what has taken them so long to change strategies? I'd imagine the City wouldn't have objections with changing to condos or rentals.

[Mike K.]

No, but relatively costly re-design work would be required if not a full on redesign.

[Mr Cook Street]

No, but relatively costly re-design work would be required if not a full on redesign.

Would it not also have to go back for public consultations?

[jonny]

Would it not also have to go back for public consultations?

They might have to rezone. Good points about the required redesign Mike.

[G-Man]

Rezoning would be certain.

[sdwright.vic]

Redesign? Inside only correct? Office buildings are always being turned into housing.

[Mike K.]

Yes but that's if they're offices to begin with and then they become lofts. Gateway Green won't move forward in its current state as a residential tower.

[Rob Randall]

^Yeah, I think it would be easier to start from scratch. 

 

Recall that the layout of the Hudson towers was modified in order to fit better with the hypothetical Gateway Green. This was the first time a developer was encouraged (forced?) to modify their design because of a neighbouring project that was still on the drawing board. 

[concorde]

Redesign? Inside only correct? Office buildings are always being turned into housing.

Office have much higher ceilings overall so you would have to redesign it for exterior windows as well.  Plus residential want balconies

[jonny]

Office have much higher ceilings overall so you would have to redesign it for exterior windows as well.  Plus residential want balconies

 

Residential buildings have way more plumbing too as there are many more kitchens, bathrooms, showers, toilets, etc. I would imagine the electrical design would be a lot different as well, and there may be different underground parking demands. 

[G-Man]

I do believe this was approved with a massive underground parkade. Though my memory is being stretched by the time since the public meeting.

[jonny]

I do believe this was approved with a massive underground parkade. Though my memory is being stretched by the time since the public meeting.

 

I have no idea - merely spit balling on my part.

[2F2R]

I see we are coming up on ten years of discussion on this ... maybe we are getting close to something happening!

[Kapten Kapsell]

Is this one officially cancelled?

[Nparker]

Is this one officially cancelled?

Surely 750 Pandora/1515 Douglas has sealed the fate of this project for the foreseeable future.

[sdwright.vic]

Yes... I smell rental tower in the future as this is already ownew land.

[Kapten Kapsell]

This project makes Dockside Green seem like a speed demon in comparison!

[Mike K.]

Hmm, they have permits to go quite high as far as residential is concerned, perhaps 17 or 18-storeys. 

[Rob Randall]

At the time, developers were fretting over whether to go office or condo.

 

I think Jawl and Lee miscalculated on office, especially as the floorplate was relatively small. I think if they went condo it would have been built by now. But since they knew Hudson was going to be a massive condo and they knew BC Ferries was shopping for a new home it was a good bet to go with office there.

[Nparker]

...I think Jawl and Lee miscalculated on office, especially as the floorplate was relatively small. I think if they went condo it would have been built by now....

Even with the full build out on the Hudson projects additional downtown residential units will still be needed. This site would be a perfect location for 15 floors of condos or rentals