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1400 Quadra Street
Uses: rental, commercial
Address: 1400-1412 Quadra Street
Municipality: Victoria
Region: Downtown Victoria
Storeys: 14
1400-1412 Quadra Street is a 14-storey purpose-built rental complex on Quadra Street at Johnson Street in down... (view full profile)
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[Downtown Victoria] 1400 Quadra Street | Rentals, retail | 14-storeys | Under construction


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#201 aastra

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Posted 09 October 2018 - 03:24 PM

So they want to go right back around to the original version, but with a set back or otherwise distinguished top level? I think the main reason why I liked the original version and the main reason why I didn't like the most recent version is because the original wasn't self-conscious and didn't seem to have any baggage. I can't see any good reason why Harris Green developments should have baggage or why they should be self-conscious. They should just be good: half-decently interesting and not a carbon copy of something else on the next block over. And definitely not faux. The podium on the most recent version was straying into faux territory, methinks.

 

An anonymous internet blowhard might whip up something quick and dirty like this:

1400_Quadra_Hypothetical.png


Edited by aastra, 09 October 2018 - 03:51 PM.

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#202 Bob Fugger

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Posted 10 October 2018 - 08:09 AM

But...but...but...look how much HIGHER the top of the building is relative to the telephone poles!!

 

 

giphy.gif


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#203 Baro

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Posted 10 October 2018 - 11:40 AM

I still don't get the obsession with height, it's just a number.  Put 80% of your nit-picking and demands into the ground floor,  10% into the floor above that,  5% into the floor above that, and so on and so on with exponentially less importance.  

 

A 10 story building with a crappy ground floor is better than a 11 story building with a fantastic ground floor to so many people.  I mean do you really notice? I'd love to do a sort of "blind taste test" with anti-height types.  Blindfold them at the base of a building and give them 5 seconds to get an impression of the building then tell you the number of floors and if it's a good building or not.  Again, 80% of their impression will be from the ground floor and how well it interacts with the street.  They'll be able to tell you maybe if it was a mid-rise or a high-rise.  They could tell you the buildng is under 8 stories, but they won't be able to tell you if it's 12 or 14,  or 20 or 25.

 

Stop worrying about numbers like FSR and floor count,  start worrying much more about getting the ground floor stunning and a delight to walk past.  If "letting" a developer add a few more floors means the flat faux brick on the ground floor can afford to be replaced with real stone and sculptural details, do it, get the best design and materials possible.


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#204 Nparker

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Posted 10 October 2018 - 12:18 PM

Well said Baro.



#205 MarkoJ

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Posted 10 October 2018 - 12:20 PM

A 10 story building with a crappy ground floor is better than a 11 story building with a fantastic ground floor to so many people.  

 

The Wave being the perfect example. Not super tall but the ground floor sucks.


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#206 LeoVictoria

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Posted 10 October 2018 - 06:09 PM

I still don't get the obsession with height, it's just a number.  Put 80% of your nit-picking and demands into the ground floor,  10% into the floor above that,  5% into the floor above that, and so on and so on with exponentially less importance.  

 

A 10 story building with a crappy ground floor is better than a 11 story building with a fantastic ground floor to so many people.  I mean do you really notice? I'd love to do a sort of "blind taste test" with anti-height types.  Blindfold them at the base of a building and give them 5 seconds to get an impression of the building then tell you the number of floors and if it's a good building or not.  Again, 80% of their impression will be from the ground floor and how well it interacts with the street.  They'll be able to tell you maybe if it was a mid-rise or a high-rise.  They could tell you the buildng is under 8 stories, but they won't be able to tell you if it's 12 or 14,  or 20 or 25.

 

Stop worrying about numbers like FSR and floor count,  start worrying much more about getting the ground floor stunning and a delight to walk past.  If "letting" a developer add a few more floors means the flat faux brick on the ground floor can afford to be replaced with real stone and sculptural details, do it, get the best design and materials possible.

 

Can you imagine the nightmare of regulations if height limits were replaced with guidelines like "a stunning ground floor"  and "a delight to walk past"?

 

Can you imagine the discussions at council meetings and community sessions?  

 

I think developers would commit suicide.   There should be fewer restrictive rules for sure, but the rules that do exist should be less subjective, not more.  


Edited by LeoVictoria, 10 October 2018 - 06:10 PM.


#207 MarkoJ

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Posted 23 November 2018 - 02:28 PM

Photos from Friday, Nov 23rd

Attached Images

  • DSCF0434.JPG
  • DSCF0440.JPG

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#208 Citified.ca

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Posted 02 December 2018 - 09:14 AM

November 30th.

 

The project is yet to receive final municipal approvals, but site work and remediation are well underway.

 

1400-Quadra-Street-November-30-2018.jpg


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#209 tjv

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Posted 02 December 2018 - 09:19 AM

^so are they going to complete the entire excavation or is it just remediation?



#210 Mike K.

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Posted 02 December 2018 - 09:20 AM

I think they'll go forward with the entire excavation just like Townline did over at Hudson Place One.


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#211 Kapten Kapsell

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Posted 11 January 2019 - 04:11 PM

This is going to Council on Thursday January 17.

#212 Nparker

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Posted 11 January 2019 - 04:13 PM

This is going to Council on Thursday January 17.

Will they demand that rents be kept at $500/month or less?



#213 Jackerbie

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Posted 11 January 2019 - 04:25 PM

Will they demand that rents be kept at $500/month or less?

 

Unless they have a dramatic change of heart. Council carried the existing Housing Agreement Bylaw (rentals only in perpetuity, no short term rentals) unanimously, with Isitt moving and Loveday seconding.

 

Only one piece of written correspondence received, and it's in support of the development. I think this will sail through.



#214 Nparker

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Posted 11 January 2019 - 04:29 PM

...Only one piece of written correspondence received, and it's in support of the development. I think this will sail through.

It should, but that's why I am nervous. I have zero faith in the current council to do the right thing.



#215 jonny

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Posted 11 January 2019 - 07:45 PM

This is going to Council on Thursday January 17.


The hole is like 30 meters deep so I hope it gets approved!!
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#216 Kapten Kapsell

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Posted 18 January 2019 - 01:04 PM

Does anyone know if council approved this last night?

#217 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 19 January 2019 - 11:14 AM

Does anyone know if council approved this last night?

 

it passed unanimously or close to.  isitt supported.

 

one new councillor asked where the contaminated soils went.  fred from alpha said some went up island some to richmond some to alberta.

 

the dra asked if balconies could have opaque glass at least partly so stuff on them would not be subject to theft (since it could be seen presumably by 844 residents). after some discussion council decided to ask the developer and staff to consider if that could happen but it would not be required.

 

.  


Edited by Victoria Watcher, 19 January 2019 - 11:16 AM.

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#218 Mike K.

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Posted 19 January 2019 - 01:07 PM

As in there is a concern people will climb the side of the building to access balconies?

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#219 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 19 January 2019 - 01:20 PM

As in there is a concern people will climb the side of the building to access balconies?

 

Ubiquitous clear glass balcony guards do not screen personal possessions that are inevitably stored on balconies from public view. It is suggested that at least a portion of the railing glass on each balcony be of the obscure type to provide some screening from public view and create additional aesthetic interest. 

 

read what you want into that i guess.


Edited by Victoria Watcher, 19 January 2019 - 01:21 PM.


#220 tjv

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Posted 19 January 2019 - 02:18 PM

Its coming to the point that some of these questions and design requirements are becoming asinine bordering on hilarious


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