30 replies to this topic

[Holden West]

Too bad they couldn't keep the unpainted brick but it looks pretty good. A big improvement.


1951:

[Lover Fighter]

I agree, it's definitely a step up from what was there prior. I don't how they would exactly have kept the 'unpainted brick' after it had been plastered over, but I think it still would have looked nice.

[Holden West]

^They removed the plaster from the Synagogue at Blanshard and Pandora. It's possible if the brick is in good condition and you've got plenty of time and money.

[gumgum]

That area is coming along so nicely in such a short period of time.
It's wonderful!
Now if they could just close the Plaza Hotel and that peelers, we'd be in business!

[gumgum]

What's in that corner retail space at the mo?

[Ms. B. Havin]

The plastered-over "modernized" facade is amazing (amazingly awful, that is). I'm not sure whether to think of it as a particularly brutal facadomy or as some kind of Second World cheap-o "protection" pulled over the building... It's just awful, whatever it is/ was.

I wonder if that's when the building went blind -- i.e., the windows at street level got that one-size-fits-all look, levelled off at the top? Notice how the original windows had arches, set off in light-coloured granite. Now there are awnings, which don't do nearly as much for the building -- although I admit they're better than just plain nothing.

Vandals. You really have to wonder what people were thinking of when they "cleaned up" those old buildings....

[Holden West]

What's in that corner retail space at the mo?

Cheap-ass Chinese furniture and souvenirs. Temporary tenants, I hope.

[Ms. B. Havin]

@gumgum: the corner retail space has a really cheap Oriental "furniture" and knick-knacks store right now -- looks temporary.

[Ms. B. Havin]

Holden & I are obviously falling all over ourselves to respond here!

Ok, I'll take myself off to another thread!

[Holden West]

^Ha, I think we were separated at birth. Great minds think alike!

[gumgum]

We really need another Starbucks.
We should put one there.

[Holden West]

^It would be a carbon-copy of the one just down at Yates and Gov't.

Does anyone have a recent photo of this building from before the renovation? This must be one of the few buildings that went through four distinct facade changes.

[Icebergalley]

Another Starbucks?

Then I would have to walk by 15 coffee shops to get to "The Bean" every morning...

Humpth?

[aastra]

I think they've done a pretty good job with this one but I'm still bothered a bit by the nice-but-safely-bland esthetic. Why couldn't the lowest level flaunt some striking red brick or coloured stone or something like that?

[Ms. B. Havin]

^ Well, exactly! If you look at the vintage photo (pre-"modernization"), what individualizes this building is the difference between the ground floor and the top floor levels. The ground floor's arched windows, their scale (they're pretty damn big), the darker colour: all this make that level into a big "shout-out," whereas now it sort of blends in.

[gumgum]

Another Starbucks?

Then I would have to walk by 15 coffee shops to get to "The Bean" every morning...

Humpth?

I was being tongue in cheek. :wink:

[G-Man]

Actually this is the building I find myself wanting to live in the most right now. Great location, cool places inside. I want one of those greats lofts!

[renthefinn]

Many of the existing bricks in the building weren't in good shape, but I think it turned out pretty good.

[Ada]

I have to agree with Ms. B. Havin. Seeing renovations like this, with the "new, but made to look old" facade makes me think of a building held hostage with duct tape over it's mouth. I prefer the two vintage photos to this new design. If it wasn't sturdy enough to restore, it would be nice to do something entirely different - if the money's there.

Of course, if my aunt had nuts... and so forth.

[G-Man]

I think they did a pretty good job restoring it. It is by far the best looking building at that intersection.

I agree that the modernist facade of the 50s- 60s was really bad though.