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Chinatown Updates Discussion

I think its time for a CHINATOWN thread! so here it is! if anyone has time to round up all the projects that would be great.

but here are pics of 2 of them.

Solterra's Keefer Block looks to move into sales soon.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y78/hol...B-4F22240D55C8-7062-00000544AFC59350.jpg

and The Flats is digging away!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y78/hol...0-4ADBC051455C-7361-0000059B0A5E0EAE.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y78/hol...3-9B006C61ECCF-7361-0000059B0771D9E4.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y78/hol...D-4A7BE7D82C74-7361-0000059B042D0F8F.jpg

all my pics

Model pics here - I think this is the Westbank project.

Solterra sales centre for the other Main & Keefer project looks to be gearing up - at Dolce Vita (Symphony Place)

http://bbscalemodels.com/2012/07/main-keefer-2012/

http://bbscalemodels.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Untitled-11.jpg
http://bbscalemodels.com/2012/07/main-keefer-2012/

http://bbscalemodels.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Untitled-2.jpg
http://bbscalemodels.com/2012/07/main-keefer-2012/

More pics at the website...

excellent news on the sales center! thx for the model pix

Do they still have "THE ONLY" seafoods? What a place for crabmeat in butter !!!

Walked around Chinatown a couple of weeks ago, and the place is in a sorry state.
The charm and atmosphere of just a decade ago is nothing but history now, lots of the shops/restaurants are closed and the place looks like it's on life support.
We need some of those HK Billionaires to make that place their new pet project.

I'm not sure exactly if the heritage value of Chinatown is enough to save itself compared to say other items that may appear on an Asian buyer's shopping list... e.g. good educational facilities nearby for the kids, land (perhaps), spot for car parking, good transport, good reputation etc.

In particular I think people may still be deterred for the very legit reason of the security, homelessness and drug issues at their doorstep (aka Downtown Eastside).

I think that, if the three levels of government really stepped in and cleaned up the Downtown Eastside's general problems, that the recovery of Chinatown as it once was will pick up pace to an extent.

As to whether the recovery will actually mean the return of the Chinese/Asian businesses that have vacated the area of late, that is in the open still... In fact, at this point, I think it's becoming slightly more white-washed due to the lack of heritage appreciation from the more recent Asian immigrants...

Quote:

Originally Posted by allan_kuan (Post 5928037)

You pretty much described Richmond.
So what do you think the future holds for China Town?.

i don't know about chinatown's demographics, but i know that it would stand a better chance if that enormous social housing complex and grassy field directly to the east were redeveloped and integrated into the urban fabric there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoFace (Post 5927866)

Most of the asian businesses moved to Richmond. With rents being high and foot traffic at a low it is hard to stay in business.

I see CHINATOWN change for the positive in the future but it will be more like a gastown type feel and the old heritage of Chinatown will not be back.

Keefer block render
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/110/189keeferrender51.jpg
http://changingcitybook.com/2012/08/17/189-keefer-street/

I have an intense hatred for buildings that pretend to be several smaller ones. Las Vegas anyone?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dleung (Post 5931534)

I have an intense hatred for buildings

You sure you didn't mean that instead?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dleung (Post 5931534)

I dunno man, this building looks pretty nice to me. I like the way things a headed so far in Chinatown. The new chinatown is going to be a great neighborhood with lots of character.

agree that it's flirting with grotesquerie, but i wonder if the street-level experience of the building might work out pretty well. obviously, it's a fairly hamfisted reference to the traditional small lots and variety and that, but it could actually create the intended effect, where the average passer-by is deceived into feeling like this building blends into the historic streetscape. that said, is that corner entrance for the lobby or is it for an especially large main st-fronting commercial space (perfect for the large restaurant that this corner demands, assuming it's this one)?

In many ways, the new Chinese immigrants have little cultural affinity with Chinatown's. The core Chinese group in Chinatown were early Chinese immigrants from the Cantonese provinces of China, which does have a modest connection with the HK immigrants from the 90s. However, current Chinese immigration is for the most part from the rest of China, which has minor cultural affinity with Chinatown. The main cultural institutions and organizations in Chinatown all speak Cantonese.

It also doesn't help that Chinatown's located in an area with a bad reputation and that Richmond is a much more comfortable area to settle in general, especially for families and younger people.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dleung (Post 5931534)

Keefer block render
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/110/189keeferrender51.jpg
http://changingcitybook.com/2012/08/17/189-keefer-street/

Definitely better than the previous version with the clock on the corner.
There's no symmetry below the lantern, however.
Why not put the Keefer St. side balcony on the corner, so there's a flow down from the lantern to the sidewalk?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeowner (Post 5931504)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echowinds (Post 5931700)

Hmmm, sounds like it's destined to die, and then rise from the ashes to be something other than what we remember.

Interesting to be at a pivotal period in history to hopefully see a positive master plan for some type of rejuvenation of this historical location.
I for one sure hope it bounces back, maybe once things get transformed/improved up to Main st at least.
10 + year plan maybe?. I guess as long as the Millennium Gate doesn't get moved to Richmond, there is still hope.

Does this have any backbone, or is it just political chatter?
http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/chinatown-revitalization.aspx

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echowinds (Post 5931700)

It also doesn't help that Chinatown's located in an area with a bad reputation and that Richmond is a much more comfortable area to settle in general, especially for families and younger people.

Ding ding ding.

It has to be said. Chinatown's in a dung hole of an area.

Sad but true. I wish it wasn't so...

Give it ten year for redevelopment/renovations to make it into Chinatown. I can almost guarantee you that the area will be vastly improved (albeit perhaps without the Chinese character, unless we work to preserve it) at this point. It has only been 3 years since Woodward's was completed, and that area is much better than it was prior. I would argue that the area has cleaned up almost all of the way to Columbia. That leaves about 4-5 blocks to go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spork (Post 5932887)

It could be argued that 'everything' has been pushed further east up Hastings. Will it continue to be pushed east or what will happen, I wonder...

Speaking of Chinatown...

Quote:

1) 498 Carrall Street (1 East Pender) VHR B, (M)
The application was received to rehabilitate this significant Chinatown heritage building.
The proposal is to adaptively re-use the building, retain the existing built form and massing, rehabilitate the exterior, and change the uses to office and parking (on the ground floor) and community theatre (on the second floor).
498 Carrall Street (1 East Pender), also known as The Chinese Times Building, is listed in the “B” evaluation category on the Vancouver Heritage Register and it is municipally designated heritage site. The heritage value of the building is found in its architecture, the choice of brick as a construction material as well as in its direct association with individuals, organizations and uses that played important roles in the Chinese community. The building was home to the Chee Kung Tong, the Chinese Freemasons, associated with the earliest immigration of Chinese to British Columbia during the Fraser River Gold Rush of 1858 and the establishment of the community in both, BC and Canada. The second significant tenant was the newspaper, the Chinese Times, which had its offices here from 1930s until 1990s. (Please refer to the attached Statement of Significance for more information on heritage values and character defining elements).
The conservation plan by Soren Rasmussen Architects is generally consistent with the Chinatown HA-1 Design Guidelines and the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada. The chamfered building corner will be retained, the “cheater floor” feature retained and modified to provide adequate access and headroom, the large cornice fully restored, the bay windows on E. Pender St. preserved and repaired, storefront windows on Pender St. restored as per the original configuration, the facade on Carrall St. rehabilitated to better accommodate new uses. The conservation plan also includes four significant new elements: the garage entrance and the theatre entrance on Carrall Street, the extensive fixed canopy along both principal facades, and the building projection onto Carrall Street located above the new theatre entrance.
The applicant has requested heritage incentives through the Heritage Building Rehabilitation Program (HBRP), in exchange for the conservation of building’s heritage features. The incentives consist of $100,000 façade grant (two grants of $50,000 each) and the property tax exemption over the period of up to 10 years. The property tax exemption incentive has not been determined yet.

Issues:
• New building projection on Carrall Street;
(The proposed new façade element appears to be out of scale and character for heritage buildings in Chinatown, it is not consistent with the common heritage practice and HA-1 Design Guidelines, and it adversely affects an intermediate cornice element. In addition, this element creates a new encroachment condition.)
• Continues fixed canopy;
(This element appears to be out of scale and character for Chinatown buildings. It may adversely affect the vertical continuity of building pilasters, and it is generally not consistent with the HA-1 Design Guidelines.)

The parking use on the ground floor seems odd, will have to see exactly what they are proposing.

I wouldn't be too worried about Chinatown's vitality. It is in a renewal process right now and there are 6-10 new restaurants that have either just opened or will be opening in the next few months. It will be foodie central by this time next year. Followed by the upcoming wave of 3 developments along Main St. I agree it won't be anything like it used to be in it's heyday though. Just learned that Foo Ho Ho is for sale.:(

Demo started this week.

Keefer Block
http://i.imgur.com/kZQB3.jpg
Photo from my five plus year old flip phone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Conga (Post 5933429)

Photo from my five plus year old flip phone.

Are you sure? I could have sworn that was taken using a brand new, state of the art Blackberry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlousa (Post 5933374)

The parking use on the ground floor seems odd, will have to see exactly what they are proposing.

Ground floor parking in buildings is the worst ever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spork (Post 5932887)

Up to Carrall ;) Hastings from Carrall to Columbia is a gong show with the bottle depot there.

Agreed though, that West of Carrall and especially West of Abbott has seen a complete transformation in the 7 years I've lived in Gastown.

The Keefer is certainly a step in the right direction, but it's going to be tough to change the Main/Hastings area which is essentially "ground zero" with a very high concentration of social services and poverty pimps. Replacing the Carnegie center with another Woodwards would get the ball rolling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leftside (Post 5933886)

Up to Carrall ;)
The Keefer is certainly a step in the right direction, but it's going to be tough to change the Main/Hastings area which is essentially "ground zero" with a very high concentration of social services and poverty pimps. Replacing the Carnegie center with another Woodwards would get the ball rolling.

Well, that building certainly isn't going anywhere, thankfully. Unlike one of Chinatown's oldest buildings currently being demolished where The Keefer is going...

Quote:

Originally Posted by entheosfog (Post 5934756)

Well, that building certainly isn't going anywhere, thankfully. Unlike one of Chinatown's oldest buildings currently being demolished where The Keefer is going...

No, but the rest of the block certainly could and should be redeveloped:

Main St side:
http://i.imgur.com/VWfqs.jpg?1

Pender St side:
http://i.imgur.com/ZEKxG.jpg?1

Some pics of where progress took a break for the holidays in Chinatown.

Keefer Block:
http://i.imgur.com/lsepZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/g3krA.jpg
Georgia Flats:
http://i.imgur.com/yqIHh.jpg

Georgia Flats is above ground.
http://i.imgur.com/tKiGa6g.jpg http://i.imgur.com/aUTk01y.jpg
Pictures by myself using a potato at dusk.

A little more progress at Keefer Block.
http://i.imgur.com/tMxWfY9.jpg

Was at the Keefer Block VIP open house today. They're 30% pre-sold, 25 out of 81 units.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/IMG_0332_zps744d3dad.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/IMG_0326_zps97af0878.jpg

There is no gym and most of the amenities are on the roof; BBQ area, fire pit, gardening plots and an outdoor movie theatre projected on the wall shown here.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/IMG_0329_zps2fd4cc26.jpg
pix by Built Form

Quote:

Originally Posted by Built Form (Post 6009126)

It still boggles my mind that Vancouver developments don't better design for its rainy nature, especially when the city so emphasizes spending time outside with models like this one. That roof needs awnings or tents to be usable 50% of the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIMBAM (Post 6009129)

Developers design buildings for sales, not long term longevity. A couple of decades ago the hot thing was California stucco or better know here as leaky condos.
If they designed for the weather, all buildings would have a metal roof overhang.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoFace (Post 6009297)

... all buildings would have a metal roof overhang.

It is a no brainer and why don’t they do it? Cost factor?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanko (Post 6009329)

It is a no brainer and why don’t they do it? Cost factor?

Nope ... ugly doesn't sell.
It's wiser to portray a Californian lifestyle with lawn chairs/grass and outdoor gas fireplaces.

I see seating for 12 people. :)

my photo from Sunday ..... can`t find this on the city site ...... anyone know more?

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y78/hol...0D-5459-0000031D8FBEA026_zpsf33d1f38.jpg

It's a renovation, the project almost kitty corner is at Carrall and Pender is getting renovated as well. Thought I posted details on both somewhere on the forum. I'll repost in here later on.

Good to see those buildings getting some attention :tup:

Can't find the dp applications anymore they seem to have been removed...

Here's some info on both of the projects

8 W. Pender

Quote:

The proposal was received to rehabilitate the façade of this Chinatown municipally designated heritage building listed under the category “A” in the Vancouver Heritage Register. The historic building, also known as the Sam Kee Building, was constructed in 1913. The Guinness Book of Records recognizes it as the “shallowest commercial building” in the world and it is associated with Chang Toy, the wealthy Chinatown merchant and his business, the Sam Key Company.
The developed conservation plan is a combination of preservation, restoration and rehabilitation. All three building facades will receive a thorough conservation treatment. There is a significant new addition proposed for the principal façade - the glass enclosure on the ground floor. The enclosure was designed to provide for internal connection between eastern and western portions of the building, since the layout of this extremely narrow building does not allow it. The intent was to rehabilitate the entrance while improving internal communication corridors, horizontally and vertically, in a least intrusive manner. The proposed conservation plan is generally consistent with the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada and the Chinatown HA-1 Design Guidelines.
The applicant has applied through the Heritage Façade Rehabilitation Program requesting two façade grants of $50,000 each. The project was presented to the Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee on January 08, 2013 and was generally supported. The CHAPC expressed some concerns about the design development of the glass enclosure and requested further improvements. The application will be taken to City Council for approval of façade grants once the Development Permit is issuable and three quotes for the proposed heritage work received.

Quote:

THAT the Vancouver Heritage Commission support the Heritage Façade Rehabilitation application and the proposed design for the glass enclosure for 8 West Pender Street, noting the following suggestions:
THAT the Applicant consider reconfiguring the angled glazing of the glass enclosure (i.e. making it a right angle) and consider the use of starfire glazing to make the glazing as clear as possible.

498 Carrall Street (1 East Pender)

Quote:

The application was received to rehabilitate this significant Chinatown heritage building. The proposal is to adaptively re-use the building, retain the existing built form and massing, rehabilitate the exterior, and change the uses to office and parking (on the ground floor) and community theatre (on the second floor).
498 Carrall Street (1 East Pender), also known as The Chinese Times Building, is listed in the “B” evaluation category on the Vancouver Heritage Register and it is municipally designated heritage site. The heritage value of the building is found in its architecture, the choice of brick as a construction material as well as in its direct association with individuals, organizations and uses that played important roles in the Chinese community. The building was home to the Chee Kung Tong, the Chinese Freemasons, associated with the earliest immigration of Chinese to British Columbia during the Fraser River Gold Rush of 1858 and the establishment of the community in both, BC and Canada. The second significant tenant was the newspaper, the Chinese Times, which had its offices here from 1930s until 1990s. (Please refer to the attached Statement of Significance for more information on heritage values and character defining elements).
The conservation plan by Soren Rasmussen Architects is generally consistent with the Chinatown HA-1 Design Guidelines and the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada. The chamfered building corner will be retained, the “cheater floor” feature retained and modified to provide adequate access and headroom, the large cornice fully restored, the bay windows on E. Pender St. preserved and repaired, storefront windows on Pender St. restored as per the original configuration, the facade on Carrall St. rehabilitated to better accommodate new uses. The conservation plan also includes four significant new elements: the garage entrance and the theatre entrance on Carrall Street, the extensive fixed canopy along both principal facades, and the building projection onto Carrall Street located above the new theatre entrance.
The applicant has requested heritage incentives through the Heritage Building Rehabilitation Program (HBRP), in exchange for the conservation of building’s heritage features. The incentives consist of $100,000 façade grant (two grants of $50,000 each) and the property tax exemption over the period of up to 10 years. The property tax exemption incentive has not been determined yet.
The application was presented to Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee in December 2012 and January 2013, and was generally supported, with further requests, as follows:
“That the Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee generally supports the proposal for 498 Carrall Street (1 East Pender) – DE 415524 with the following considerations:
a) suggestion that the overall support of the new design element of the bay window, and that the entrance and the bay window be treated as a unified element, and that it remain a unique and contemporary component of the project;
b) requests that further design consideration be given to the canopy in regard to width, length and the need for continuous coverage around the building, and strongly encourages that the projection of canopy be reduced, and that a fragmented canopy may be more fitting with the neighborhood;
c) requests that the applicant review the design of the rhythm of the mullions and sill heights to keep with the historical context of the building;
d) requests that more effort be made to reduce the industrial character or visual prominence of the garage door; and
e) strongly encourages the inclusion of neon signage with the project.”
Issues:
(i) New building projection on Carrall Street, its design and encroachment;
(ii) Continuity of proposed fixed canopy, its design and projection; and
(iii) The character of E. Pender Street storefronts

Quote:

THAT the Vancouver Heritage Commission generally supports for the application to rehabilitate 498 Carrall Street (1 East Pender Street - DE415524) noting the following:
i) That the bay window and the theatre entrance be treated as an unified element by considering the use of mullions in the large plate glass window in the current proposal,
ii) That the detailing of the garage door be reconsidered, and
iii) That the plate glass storefronts be reduced to be more in keeping with Chinatown, more consistent with the current pedestrian experience; and
FURTHER THAT the applicant consider the inclusion of neon signage.

Quote:

That the Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee:
a) generally supports the proposal for 498 Carrall Street (1 East Pender) – DE 415524; and
b) requests that the applicant report back to a future meeting with further design development, particularly around the theatre entrance elements including bay window, canopy and door at that location, and the canopy around the entire building; and
c) requests that the applicant also articulate the delineation between existing (heritage) and proposed (new) façade elements.

Pender St Elevation
http://former.vancouver.ca/devapps/498carrall/penderelesexistingnew.pdf

Carrall St Elevation
http://former.vancouver.ca/devapps/498carrall/carrallelevsexistingnew.pdf

nice! thanks

looks like Westbank is prepping a Sales Center inside the building to be demoed at Keefer/Main. the sales Center is on the Alley/Keefer corner (NW side of the building bottom floor)

the rebirth of Chinatown keeps in chugging.

the reno/upgrade of 211 East Georgia is underway now and they have launched a website for the project >> http://211eastgeorgia.com/

Not sure if this is new, but noticed a development permit sign on the Sam Kee Building. Nothing major, they just want to do some internal work and enclose the exterior staircase.

Keefer Block getting ready for excavation.
http://i.imgur.com/OOaJhu1.jpg
From today.

can I get a Go Chinatown Go? or? ;)

I like that infill project ... I wonder how many more years till the other ex-gas station up Pender on Gore will take till it gets redeveloped?

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