101 replies to this topic

[aastra]

I still think the design suggests Rock Bay much more than it does Oak Bay.

 

Wow, going back to the beginning of this thread I was quite negative about it. I don't mind it nearly so much now, it looks not so bleak and lighter overall than I expected, mainly because of the ground floor windows.

Edited by aastra, 05 June 2020 - 10:07 AM.

[Nparker]

I think this ended up looking nicer than the renderings. It has both a classic and contemporary vibe.

[Nparker]

I still think the design suggests Rock Bay much more than it does Oak Bay.

Oak Bay could use a bit more Rock Bay.

[aastra]

Let's not rock the boat. You're seeing the world through Tintoed glasses.

[Redd42]

I looked in the windows of one of the ground floor residential units. Shocked at how small the rooms were, considering the price tag. 

 

I realize this is how modern condos are made and this place is not at all unusual that way. Still shocking.

[Mike K.]

Are people moving in now?

[Hotel Mike]

A common lament on this site...if only they could get rid of those power poles.

[aastra]

It was do-able in the 1950s but it's a technological impossibility in the 2020s.

[IPH]

It was do-able in the 1950s but it's a technological impossibility in the 2020s.

its still do-able in 2020, just expensive.  The developer was quoted $400K+ to put the lines underground and decided he wouldn't get a return on that investment.

[Redd42]

its still do-able in 2020, just expensive.  The developer was quoted $400K+ to put the lines underground and decided he wouldn't get a return on that investment.

 

Considering what they are making on that project, that is chump change. Seeing the sales pic and the actual pic, I would be seriously peeved if I was one of the buyers.

[aastra]

 

its still do-able in 2020, just expensive...

 

I know, but as per the old news articles that I linked to in another thread, it was prohibitively expensive back in the 1950s, 1960s, & 1970s as well, and thus a very contentious issue because of it. When I joke about the technological feasibility I'm actually making fun of the inscrutable selectivity of the mission itself. It was do-able on 30 blocks of downtown proper but not over the rest of downtown. It was do-able in this neighbourhood but not that neighbourhood. It was do-able on this side of the street but not that side of the street.

 

One of the 1950s editorials made the point that a deliberate long-range strategy involving divided costs would be necessary, in order to make possible the seemingly impossible. Were they ever right about that! Here we are a lifetime later and we still don't have a long-term strategy. When they speculated about what could be accomplished over "50 or more years", do you think they ever imagined we'd be hardly any further along after ~70 years?

 

Just imagine how different the wider city's look and feel might be today if every development over the decades had chipped in to a program to continue putting all lines underground. What's a more worthwhile community amenity? A distorted and short-lived mosaic on the side of a building, or the complete removal of ugly overhead lines and their awkward sidewalk-hogging poles?

Edited by aastra, 08 June 2020 - 01:13 PM.

[Redd42]

I've been house shopping for about a year or so....Believe it or not, but the buried vs over head wires has been a big issue.

 

Totally understandable in an older development. In this one, no, not at all. 

[Jackerbie]

its still do-able in 2020, just expensive.  The developer was quoted $400K+ to put the lines underground and decided he wouldn't get a return on that investment.

 

...

 

Just imagine how different the wider city's look and feel might be today if every development over the decades had chipped in to a program to continue putting all lines underground. What's a more worthwhile community amenity? A distorted and short-lived mosaic on the side of a building, or the complete removal of ugly overhead lines and their awkward sidewalk-hogging poles?

 

Richmond requires every development to either underground the overhead lines or pre-duct the frontage so that the lines can be easily moved in the future (for example if the development frontage is small). Easily something that CoV could do through the rezoning/DP process.

[Redd42]

Richmond requires every development to either underground the overhead lines or pre-duct the frontage so that the lines can be easily moved in the future (for example if the development frontage is small). Easily something that CoV could do through the rezoning/DP process.

 

This is Oak Bay though....argh...

[johnk2]

Walked by yesterday. I saw two ground floor commercial spaces with "Leased" signs in the window. I still don't like the choice of brick but it does look a bit better with hoardings and construction stuff removed. 

[LJ]

We have some friends looking to buy a house in the Oak Bay area but someone told them that any improvements to the property, inside or out, over $500 needed a permit.

 

Anyone know if there is any truth to that?

[tiger11]

Its true....

 

https://www.oakbay.c...uilding-permits

 

We have some friends looking to buy a house in the Oak Bay area but someone told them that any improvements to the property, inside or out, over $500 needed a permit.

 

Anyone know if there is any truth to that?

[johnk2]

Recent sale in The Bowker 1356 sq feet/$1,600,000. That's pushing $1200/sq. ft.

[johnk2]

We have some friends looking to buy a house in the Oak Bay area but someone told them that any improvements to the property, inside or out, over $500 needed a permit.

 

Anyone know if there is any truth to that?

Beware asshat staff in the buildings/permits dept. If the work is inside and not structural avoid them.

I did a skylight and roof window that didn't change the envelope and not very visible from the street. I know about it and my neighbour knows about it so make sure any neighbours are onside.

Inspector Clouseau won't show up unless its hugely visible or a neignbour finks on you.

[Victoria Watcher]

nobody likes a finking neighbour.