230 replies to this topic

[HB]

But isuppose you mean from Douglas street its the James Bay wall all the nimbys hide behind it

[tedward]

The most logical area to me for significantly greater density would be (more-or-less) the Harris Green boundaries, with additions of parts of south and west North Park. All surface parking lots west of Cook Street and south of Hillside are terribly underutilized as is and would benefit from development IMO.

 

I would fill the "valley" that is Douglas St and Government between the Hudson and Rock Bay. Does that area even have a name or does "Rock Bay" include the area bounded by Blanshard, Bay, Government and Herald St?

Anyway, that whole strip of land is, IMO poorly developed and perfect for filling with tall buildings.

[Mike K.]

Yup. It could be Victoria's crown jewel, built into whatever we want as what's there now is a dogs breakfast of nothingness.

[HB]

.

 

When the Fanin Building gets torn down there will be more of the Wall of James Bay available for viewing from downtown for a few months

 

[Mike K.]

Good news is the Fannin will stay put.

[HB]

That IS great news what did you hear about it?

[Mike K.]

I heard it from the architect who had been working on the previous design which was canceled when the new museum director (or whatever the name is) took over.

 

I'm pretty sure I heard him say it would stay but now that I think about it I'm not 100% certain.

[VicHockeyFan]

http://dailyhive.com...a-center-surrey

 

Massive 50-storey education campus for international students planned for Surrey City Centre

 

[AllseeingEye]

Surrey Central City/City Centre was earmarked years ago to be the new core for Surrey so no real surprise here. Back when I worked for them and Coast Capital IT moved into the original Central City tower with SFU there was an early days proposal for an adjacent 800-foot tower; the only reason it wasn't actually built was that it was directly in the flight path for aircraft landing at YVR.

[Mike K.]

Wow, the runways are some 22 kilometres away as the crow flies and that was still considered a hazard? Crazy.

[Barra]

There was a very interesting proposal floated at the JBNA this week to convert Harbour Towers hotel to rental. I seem to have put the fact sheet in the recycling, so don't have the name of the architect, but it would have well over 200 units ranging from just under 300 sq ft, to 890 sq ft (the two storey two bedroom penthouse suites). They would use the current underground parking and a small lot to the west, with a parking ratio of .78:1.
The most interesting aspect is the treatment of the two storey addition to the west and conference rooms on the south. They plan to cut into it, forming an L shaped courtyard running from Quebec st and around the back of the tower. To the west and east of the tower would be a one and two storey building with apartments. The swimming pool and fitness room would be accessed from the courtyard. I think it's brilliant.

This is instigated by the high cost of rehabbing 1970's high rises. The owner hasn't made a final decision about whether to do this. The other options, presumably, would be, condos or hotel.

[Barra]

What happened to my post about Harbour Towers? Did it get moved?

Edited by Barra, 16 September 2016 - 11:50 AM.

[aastra]

What's going on with Harbour Towers? Are they going to proceed with the exterior work?

[Barra]

OK then, here is the short version. Presented to JBNA this week, a proposal to convert the whole thing to rental apartments.

[Mike K.]

Oops, sorry about that, Barra. I inadvertently must have hidden the post. It's back up now.

 

I'm working on more info regarding the project. The representative at the meeting was Omicron, and the owner is BC Investment Management Corp. They also own the Delta.

 

A few years ago Franc D'Ambrosio had created schematics relating to a possible restoration of the hotel, although that plan did not materialize.

[Mike K.]

Thank you once again for the heads-up, Barra. I've been able to come up with a little more info as per the post above, but we'll have to wait for more details to be released by Omicron.

 

Citified piece: http://victoria.citi...tal-apartments/

[Nparker]

This would be a pretty big hit to the hotel room count in Victoria.

It's kind of ironic when you think about the concerns people have about condos/apartments being used strictly for Air BNB-type accommodation while at the same time places like the Queen Victoria and now possibly Harbour Towers become rental apartments.

[Mike K.]

Right. And for most of the last year Executive House was closed for renovations.

 

AirBnB actually appears to be providing a very necessary, very timely service considering the hundreds of hotel rooms that have disappeared over the last five years.

 

Admiral Inn will be replaced with a residential complex at some point, and Victoria Plaza Hotel has also closed (not that it was a hot spot for tourists, but still...).

 

Oh, and consider how much inventory we've lost with the redevelopment of multiple motels along Gorge Road, or conversions into rental apartments. That's taken hundreds of units off the market as well.

[Nparker]

As much as Air BNB's are alleviating some of the strain on existing transient accommodations, I can't help but think downtown (ish) Victoria could support another decent sized mid-range price hotel, especially if Harbour Towers becomes rental.

[Mike K.]

Bayview has eyed a hotel for Roundhouse. I think that's where the next big move will be.