252 replies to this topic

[Number Six]

Where is Francis Rattenbury when you need him? Ratz would (and did) have had a grand and brazen plan for the inner harbour.

[G-Man]

The sad and strange thing is that is Francis Rattenbury were alive today and proposing projects on the scale that he used to he would be run out of town by an angry horde.

[Nparker]

I wonder if drawings of Rattenbury's grand scheme might still exist somewhere?

[aastra]

The last thing Victoria requires is another waterfront concrete structure. We are taking away what makes the harbour so special.

An absence of big buildings along the harbour waterfront is what makes Victoria so special?

[Number Six]

I wonder if drawings of Rattenbury's grand scheme might still exist somewhere?

His sketch originally appeared in the May 23, 1903 Daily Colonist and it is pictured in the photo section of Terry Reksten's book "Rattenbury" as well as in the tougher to find "The Crystal Gardens: West Coast Pleasure Palace". I thought I found it online once before but I can't locate it now. If I do I'll post a link. In the meantime, here is the caption from the Crystal Gardens book:

Rattenbury's Inner Harbour scheme as seen in the Colonist, May 23, 1903. From the left: The Dominion Post Office (then existing); a public library (proposed); an Anglican Cathedral on Church Hill (proposed); the Empress Hotel (proposed and built in 1908); an Anglican Theological College (probably, and never built) and of course, Rattenbury's recently completed Legislative Buildings

FYI, the Public Library was proposed where the Belmont Building now stands and the Anglican Theological College where the Royal BC Museum is situated.

[m0nkyman]

The last thing Victoria requires is another waterfront concrete structure. We are taking away what makes the harbour so special.

I"m trying to think of what waterfront concrete structure exists already that this would be another of...

[Holden West]

Well, there's the 1980s Empress addition and the Regent Hotel. But we don't build like that anymore so it's a bit like saying we don't need any more Ford Model T's.

[G-Man]

So I took Aastra's idea and tried to work it in. More discovery. I am having way too much fun so I will eventually detail this model. The three buildings that have replaced the large hotel are one office building (taller one at the back), One museum / cultural place. Narrow building along side. And one boutique hotel (brick one in front).

I also added a loading area for two Clipper boats.

[aastra]

I've never had much of a problem with the Regent Hotel. It can look rather pretty at times:


pic from http://www.victoriar...l.ivictoria.com

[aastra]

I think miniature city blocks with implied continuation of the street grid would be a good way to go on this site. And instead of just another dead open space, how about a really large and ornate terraced fountain pool sort of thing? Instead of creating a void, create a photo op! A must-see attraction.

[Nparker]

Just as long as we don't get Centennial Square 2.

[aastra]

If you ask me, that's what this panel has come up with. Their Belleville public space will have all the same problems as Centennial Square, only more so.

And yet another enormous square is planned for Dockside Green!

Public space has to feel intimate and there has to be a reason to linger within it. Otherwise, it's just more useless public space.

[Galvanized]

I like the city block idea, they could rid themselves of Under Sea Gardens and move the Coho operations forward like in this picture

[Rob Randall]

Look at the size of that massive CPR dock. I asked the task force if the Belleville Terminal could be extended into the harbour but I was told it would require extensive dredging. Yet the harbour has already been blasted and dredged and the photograph above proves large ships can dock there.

[aastra]

Sounds like a classic case of "what's old is impossible again."

[G-Man]

Interesting photo of the Arthur Erickson plan for Victoria Harbour from the 1974 Central Area Plan for Victoria.

Note the pedestrian bridge across the harbour.

[m0nkyman]

I'm more interested in the curved towers right on the water...

[G-Man]

Yeah that may be part of the Reid plan. It kind of reminds me of Toronto City hall.

[Nparker]

VERY Toronto City Hall

[Number Six]

Here are a couple of great archival photos showing the area in question, the first from 1909 and the second from 1923: