1697 replies to this topic

[D.L.]

I'm trying to understand where the four buildings of Synergy and Balance are on the Dockside Green site in Vic West. Looking at the site plan it appears that Synergy are the two buildings at upper right closest to Triangle park, and Balance are the two buildings at upper left closest to the intersection of Tyee & Esquimalt. Is that correct?

http://docksidegreen... ... d63c871736

If it is these four buildings appear to be the largest in the development.

Synergy


Balance


I couldn't find any sales page for Synergy on the Dockside Green website. It must be sold out?

[G-Man]

Hmm I am pretty sure that the model in the shop shows Synergy as the 2 buildings closest to Upper Harbour Place and then Balance the 2 buildings next to them. I believe they are doing the phased sales that are becoming popular. The Store street shop really gives you perspective I recommend a visit! You know it is kind of weird that the Falls display is near the dockside site and the Dockside place is near the Falls site sort of.

[D.L.]

oh ya I saw the sales centre along waft st there. a mini sales office row happening there with a few other developments having setup. I should drop in one day.

[gumgum]

Yeah, Synergy is closest to Upper Harbour place and Balance is down Tye.

Specific plans are in the works for a pub, bakery and office space on Harbour Rd, below the synergy and balance buildings - closer to the water. Probably will proceed in the next year.

[Mike K.]

^A pub would be cool with a view of downtown 8)

Today's committee of the whole had a presentation by DG's reps about the developments committments.

However, when the issue of DCCs came up, (they're being raised by the City by 600%), the Dockside folk stated that their committments could be in jeopardy with higher development charges. They reiterated that their original proposal to the city does not take into account higher costs of such sorts and that they are requesting an exemption. Could it be that if the DCC costs are weighed Dockside will require more density?

Councillor Geoff Young stated that other councillors should stop requesting developers to follow Dockside becuase the land sale (for DG) was tied to the City's request for a "triple bottom line" development and thus was sold for less than market value.

I'm glad C. Young mentioned that because all too often we have councillors complaining that new developments don't have LEED this or LEED that, but then they complain that not enough is being done to reduce unit costs. In reality implementing much of what Dockside Green is implementing requires substantial investment that in non-subsidized projects is turned over directly to consumers.

[Mike K.]

I'm all for this project, don't get me wrong. It will be a world-reknowned showcase for Victoria and my neighbourhood so I welcome this development with open arms. However, what has bothered me over the years was this need by some vocal councillors to hark on other developers for not following Dockside's environmental leads and treating other projects as under-achievers. Meanwhile, Dockside is subsidized so it can acheive the goals it set out to acheive and if the going gets rough, as per the DCC situation, Dockside expects to be treated differently. I have no problem with this, per se, as the developer is showcasing never before tried development products and is "1st" in many green-related aspects, but other projects should not be compared side by side unless they too receive subsidies from City Hall.

Councillor Madoff's comments below, which I've bolded, show just how hypocritical comparisons between developments can be. Councillors will bless a subsidized project for what it can acheive, and then turn around and lambast other projects for failing on following through on their promises althewhile never mentioning subsidies. Furthermore, if a developer wants to play with costlier materials in order to provide a greener structure, these councillors hark on them for high unit costs and no consideration for lower-income members of the community.

Dockside looks for break from city
Development cost charges rise 800 per cent since deal signed
BY CAROLYN HEIMAN Times Colonist staff
One of the largest developments in the province got an A-plus on its firstyear report card yesterday. In exchange, the developer is hoping for a reward from the City of Victoria.

Joe Van Belleghem, a partner in the Dockside Green development, told council Thursday that proposed increases to the city’s development cost charges will unexpectedly add $2.1 million to his costs — 800 per cent more than originally thought.

[...]

[G-Man]

When Madoff is talking about building not following through she is referring to Shoal Point not having all the greenhouses and greenery on the roof. She brings it up all the time.

[gumgum]

Today:





Something to do with the water system no doubt:

[aastra]

That's Synergy? I like the small footprint. I just wish it had been a bit taller.

[gumgum]

Yeah that's synergy.

[aastra]

Small "s"?

[gumgum]

no, big S...i think

[G-Man]

Dockside Green fast-tracking affordable units
Victoria council reviews project's progress

Carolyn Heiman, Times Colonist
Published: Friday, December 15, 2006

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/capital_van_isl/story.html?id=031a7b1b-f354-479b-9912-0d12586d2660&p=1

[Mike K.]

Site prep on the second phase has begun, btw.

[G-Man]

Aspiring architects tackle changes to city’s harbour
Andrea Lavigne/Victoria News
University of Oregon architecture students Peter Makrauer, left, and Chris Small discuss potential design challenges at Point Hope shipyard Friday, Jan. 12.

By Andrea Lavigne
Victoria News
Jan 19 2007

The Sail and Life Training Society is going beyond the old maxim “two heads are better than one.”

The society had about 30 heads adorned with bright orange hard hats touring its shipyard near the Johnson Street bridge on the west side of the upper harbour last weekend.

The graduate and undergraduate students from the University of Oregon were in town to gain some real-life architectural experience by tackling a design problem facing the S.A.L.T.S. Heritage Shipyard.

[...]

[gumgum]

Since when does Avril Lavigne write newspaper articles?

[djp]

Her last album wasn't as successful as her first. I guess she went into journalism as an alternative... :shock:

[ressen]

Tyee Rd. looking South.

[Galvanized]

Thanks for the great photo!

[Holden West]

That's a nice view.