[Downtown Victoria] The Union | Condos | 5- and 5-storeys | U/C

[Kapten Kapsell]

I think that part of the issue is the fact that Union is also competing in old town against the various LeFevre projects, which are all heritage renos with tonnes of character. The Oriental Hotel- even without parking- has had more sales success than Union or Kunju (601 Herald seems to be aimed at a slightly different market).

[aastra]

It is somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy. There's this idea that new buildings should "defer" to older buildings. That's not exactly a call for excellence.

I've said it before, this notion that all new buildings would embarrass all older buildings by default (because new buildings are awesome and older buildings suck) really doesn't demonstrate very much respect/admiration for older buildings.

[Mike K.]

^I like the way you put that.

Originally Posted by Kapten Kapsell

I think that part of the issue is the fact that Union is also competing in old town against the various LeFevre projects, which are all heritage renos with tonnes of character. The Oriental Hotel- even without parking- has had more sales success than Union or Kunju (601 Herald seems to be aimed at a slightly different market).

There could also be resistance from buyers over the future of the lot immediately across Fisgard (the giant parking lot). A building of equal height to Union would block almost every units views. Had Anthem expedited Union and started selling in 2010 this issue wouldn't have come up.

Kunju is now off the market. Not sure what happened there but marketing has ceased.

[Kapten Kapsell]

Originally Posted by aastra

It is somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy. There's this idea that new buildings should "defer" to older buildings. That's not exactly a call for excellence.

I've said it before, this notion that all new buildings would embarrass all older buildings by default (because new buildings are awesome and older buildings suck) really doesn't demonstrate very much respect/admiration for older buildings.

I'm very much in favour of ultra-modern buildings going into Old Town; I think a building like SoMA (on Broughton next to Sussex Place) would work well in Old Town. My only point is that, from a marketing perspective, the Union is competing against similarly-priced suites that offer exposed-brick walls and 12-ft ceilings. Ideally the Union would offer some very modern design features (modular walls? Built-in storage units in unusual places?) in the unit interiors that would appeal to buyers shopping for a home in that area and to 'compete' against the heritage developments...

[malektawashy]

Hi guys, we are nearing mid March. Has anybody heard or seen any signs of construction startup?

Thanks I have enjoyed reading everyone's post on theory and concepts of design. Apologies for not having much to add.

Thank you,
M

[Mike K.]

No signs of construction yet, but that could change any day.

Concorde usually has a good idea of what's happening behind the scenes but he hasn't made any updates about this project yet.

[malektawashy]

Thanks Mike. Does anybody know what Prime Contractor has been named on the job or if one has been yet?

[Mike K.]

No word yet. This doesn't bode well for the project, but who knows what's happening behind the scenes.

[Mike K.]

Ground-breaking on May 12th, 11AM - 1PM.

[jonny]

Excellent news Mike.

As of last weekend they were still marketing so I assumed things were still underway.

[Mike K.]

Great news, indeed. The project representative I spoke with says many buyers have been hesitant to purchase before construction began given the history of the site. Construction will change perceptions of the project and confirm Anthem's commitment to the site.

Construction to start at Union project in Old Town
By Mike Kozakowski
http://vibrantvictoria.ca/local-news...t-in-old-town/

After more than a decade of failed proposals and stalled plans the infamous Buckerfield site bridging downtown Victoria’s Chinatown and Old Town districts is finally on its way to a complete transformation.

Union, a five-storey, two-building project spanning the 500-block of Pandora Avenue and Fisgard Street will break ground May 12th and mark the start of Anthem Properties’ first foray into Victoria’s new-build condo market.

Anthem’s Leah Jewell said the project is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete and will be ready for occupancy by the fall of 2013. [Read more]

[ZGsta]

Yeah, you have to figure they'd have a much higher chance of making sales once people are more confident something will actually be built there.

[gumgum]

Thank god.

[Allan E]

Vibrant. I hardly think so.Totally insenstive actually, and the End of an Era. Still can't believe they allowed an extra 12-14 feet to the height ( to match the height of existing storefronts ?-ie The Bean ?) as the impact and loss of natural light and sunshine for Everyone - working, and living in Chinatown, will be irrevocably and drastically reduced . No afternoon light on Fisgard for the 2/3rds of the year ! Hello gentrification ! Also of a lessor note , is their PR campaign promoting the development: very ironic they've appropriated images of the surrounding neighborhood , with the concept reiterated of its "union" to the area, as it will drawf the existing buidings to twice their height in most cases.Also by the by, this aspect of "Theatre Alley " connecting and allowing access to Fan Tan Alley is simply not true or possible: there is a property between Fan Tan Alley and the Union property : also our communal garden off Fan Tan Alley and actually in Theatre Alley, will have ALL of its direct sunlight entirely blocked when theit project is completed. Thanks alot !
Union - ? I hardly think so.......

[aastra]

I suppose that's another great thing about surface parking lots (or empty lots, as the case may be): they make an area much more cheery and bright.

[VicHockeyFan]

No afternoon light on Fisgard for 2/3 of the year?

Come on.

OK, you don't like the fact that building continues in Chinatown AFTER you moved there. But you don't need to exaggerate. I'm pretty sure that even in January you won't need a flashlight to make your way down Fisgard.

THIS is an aerial view of the property on a sunny day. Where are all its shadows going to go?

[aastra]

Checkout the shadow from the CRD building on the next block up:
http://binged.it/IB3phh

The CRD building is maybe a bit less than double the height of the Union, yes?

[Bob Fugger]

Originally Posted by Allan E

Vibrant. I hardly think so.Totally insenstive actually, and the End of an Era. Still can't believe they allowed an extra 12-14 feet to the height ( to match the height of existing storefronts ?-ie The Bean ?) as the impact and loss of natural light and sunshine for Everyone - working, and living in Chinatown, will be irrevocably and drastically reduced . No afternoon light on Fisgard for the 2/3rds of the year ! Hello gentrification ! Also of a lessor note , is their PR campaign promoting the development: very ironic they've appropriated images of the surrounding neighborhood , with the concept reiterated of its "union" to the area, as it will drawf the existing buidings to twice their height in most cases.Also by the by, this aspect of "Theatre Alley " connecting and allowing access to Fan Tan Alley is simply not true or possible: there is a property between Fan Tan Alley and the Union property : also our communal garden off Fan Tan Alley and actually in Theatre Alley, will have ALL of its direct sunlight entirely blocked when theit project is completed. Thanks alot !
Union - ? I hardly think so.......

Welcome to VV, Johnny NIMBYington.

[aastra]

Based on the shadowing from the CRD building (which is quite a bit taller than the Union), I think we can conclude that the shadowing from the Union will be a non-issue (note how I estimated the height of the Union based on the rendering and the height of the building next door... if anyone sees anything wrong with this, please advise):










So how exactly are they going to pull this off on such a deep lot? Has anyone ever seen an overhead view of the Union?

Edit: I suppose I should have checked their website before I asked the question:


picture from http://unionvictoria.com/design/shared-spaces/

[aastra]

I don't know about you guys, but my only concerns about this one are the way it looks on the Fisgard side. It seems to be too horizontal. Methinks it would fit better in Chinatown if the windows were narrow and tall and if the brick exterior were painted in places.

[Mike K.]

Vibrant. I hardly think so.Totally insenstive actually, and the End of an Era. Still can't believe they allowed an extra 12-14 feet to the height ( to match the height of existing storefronts ?-ie The Bean ?) as the impact and loss of natural light and sunshine for Everyone - working, and living in Chinatown, will be irrevocably and drastically reduced.

I dunno, the previous proposal that fell through (called Bambu) was zoned for 7-floors (or was it a recessed 9?) and it would have been much more imposing than Union at five floors.

As for the blight that the current site is together with the blown out heritage facade (seriously, the appearance of that block makes it look like something out of 1970's Harlem) Union will no doubt be welcomed by most residents of the area and visitors to the city won't stare in bewilderment wondering whether or not they've stepped into a dodgy part of town.

Now if we could only do something about that annoying music pumping out of the Chinatown gate...

[gumgum]

It's sad that people would find reason to hate something like this. It's not even worth wasting time responding to actually.

[jonny]

I agree gum gum. It's not even worth debating.

The status quo is terrible. It's like bombed out Bosnia. This location is important and this project is badly needed. There is no doubt in my mind that this development will bring life and vibrance to two of Victoria's most important streets in one of poor most important neighborhoods.

Arguing against a small building on this site is insane and the pinnacle of nimbyism. I look forward to watching this project progress.

[Nparker]

Originally Posted by Allan E

Thanks alot! Union - ? I hardly think so...

I wasn't going to respond, but your post is so asinine and symptomatic of much of what is wrong with our region that I just can't let it go unheeded. In a word, you sir, are wrong. Please go back under whatever rock from which you recently crawled and stay there.

[Holden West]

I know I'm asking too much but it would be nice if we could observe people coming here to state their objections without having to witness kindergarten namecalling from people who should know better.

Having said that, I don't agree with Allen's comments and I sure would like to know what his alternative to "gentrification" is.