1257 replies to this topic

[Rob Randall]

The thing is that if you are in your home in Victoria right now, then chances are very good that it was built by a developer, even if it was built in 1912.

 

 

I think the greed 100 years ago is greater than today. Read the Colonist ads from a century ago and they're treating land like it's the Yukon gold rush. Subdivisions were springing up everywhere and landowners appealed to speculators with wild promises of future riches to those that built houses on Victoria's outskirts.

Edited by Rob Randall, 25 November 2020 - 10:07 PM.

[G-Man]

Excellent point. I think this has merit that said when you read from those that were buying at the time they shared this wild-eyed enthusiasm.

[Rob Randall]

Here is the first random example I found. 1912, basically saying it's too late for you to get in on the Fairfield rush so Nanaimo's the place to make your riches. And don't listen to anyone saying the land is crap. Seriously this is straight out of Glengarry Glen Ross.

 

[G-Man]

Seems like a pretty good deal now! Yeah there is definitely a gold in the hills feeling to it. 

[Mike K.]

Advertising regulations eventually did away with that style of marketing.

[phx]

Here is the first random example I found. 1912, basically saying it's too late for you to get in on the Fairfield rush so Nanaimo's the place to make your riches. And don't listen to anyone saying the land is crap. Seriously this is straight out of Glengarry Glen Ross.

The average annual appreciation of that $300 lot was about 6%.  The promoter was right, it was a good investment.

Edited by phx, 28 November 2020 - 09:55 PM.

[G-Man]

New post up, this time in response to the Northern Junk Buildings piece in the Times Colonist last weekend. 

 

https://www.sidewalk...skyline-that-is

[G-Man]

New post up on Sidewalking Victoria. This time I look at Postmodernism and its place in the heritage lexicon of the city. I know that PoMo is a controversial topic on here but see if I can convince that the Jack Davis building should be heritage. 

 

https://www.sidewalk...tarting-to-care

[G-Man]

Happy new year VV! Sidewalking Victoria's first post of 2021 is on the Ogden Point Breakwater. Have a read a let me know what you think about this local treasure. #yyj #victoriabc

 

https://www.sidewalk...oint-breakwater

[G-Man]

Think downtown Victoria needs a new park? Turns out we already had one we forgot about, Harris Green! My latest article looks at why the space is not being used and how I think we could make it the best park downtown.

 

https://www.sidewalk...own-park-useful

[Nparker]

Something tells me it's not a lack of amenities that keeps most people from using this section of Harris Green Park.

[G-Man]

That is the most used section!

[Nparker]

I knew I should have put the caveat "normal people" in my above post.

[kitty surprise]

 

Think downtown Victoria needs a new park? Turns out we already had one we forgot about, Harris Green! My latest article looks at why the space is not being used and how I think we could make it the best park downtown.

 

https://www.sidewalk...own-park-useful

 

 

I enjoy your blog and have wondered myself why Harris Green looks more like an XL traffic boulevard rather than an actual park.

 

The only thing I'd add to your suggestion is it would need to use hostile architecture to ensure the space remains used as a park

Edited by kitty surprise, 17 January 2021 - 09:15 AM.

[G-Man]

I finally have a new post up. This time I look at the Harris Green Village Development by Starlight developments

 

https://www.sidewalk...ive-new-project

[G-Man]

New post up on the possibility that the city is going to amend the neighbourhood boundaries!!

 

https://www.sidewalk...tting-an-update

[G-Man]

Amazing Places had me on to talk building height. Have a listen.

https://anchor.fm/am...Guerrero-eql9vc

[G-Man]

Latest post is up. This time think protected bike lanes but for pedestrians in the snow!

https://www.sidewalk...hrough-victoria

[G-Man]

Bit of an odd post this time. What if we had a reality show that had pop-up shops as its prize?

 

https://www.sidewalk...ea-for-downtown

[G-Man]

Another post up on Sidewalking Victoria, this time on public art and in particular the big paintings along the west wall of Royal Athletic Park.

 

https://www.sidewalk...l-athletic-park