[Esquimalt] Old Esquimalt Inn site | 12- & 12 storeys | Proposed

[amor de cosmos]

Developer eyes Esquimalt Inn land

Proposal includes two 12-storey towers with retail-residential mix

By Carla Wilson, Times Colonist May 18, 2011

A Vancouver company wants to replace the Old Esquimalt Inn with a 168unit residential and commercial development featuring a pair of 12-storey towers.

Cambie-Malone's Corp., which operates several Vancouver hospitality businesses, said the $40-million development proposal will transform 852-856 Esquimalt Rd., where a pub, liquor store and parking lot are long-time fixtures on the busy street.

http://www.timescolonist.com/busines...783/story.html

location

[MarkCB]

I live in the apartment building directly east of this site. Most of my windows overlook that parking lot. I'll lose my sunsets, but I'll gain a much better neighbor. Can't wait to see the drawings.

[Mike K.]

Of all the proposals in Esquimalt, I truly hope this one gets built. This is a much better location for a couple of midrise buildings than the proposal further down Admirals which would have seen a tower nestled in among single family dwellings.

[aastra]

As always, I request a staggering of the heights. Instead of 12 stories x 2 make them 11 stories and 13 stories or 10 stories and 14 stories or some such combination.

And get the ground floors right! Urban village, not strip mall!

[Layne French]

I'm not a fan of the "sky bridges" in the proposal, I have been a critic of overhead pedestrian walk ways in general and I doubt this one would alter this perception any if at all....

Rest of the proposal seems promising however

[Ms. B. Havin]

^ Agree about the sky bridges.

^^ Yes, don't stress the height, get the street level (people level) right.

[Holden West]

Wait a minute...that thing has a sky bridge? Why? Has this ever been a need that requires addressing? Are people in the Belvedere having a hard time getting to the Astoria?

[G-Man]

It does seem odd unless there are amenities in one building that would not be able to get to without going outside in the other building. Still seems excessive...

[spanky123]

Seems to me a stretch going from running bars to building a mixed used residential and commercial development. Hope it works out for them.

[G-Man]

^ My guess is that they will hire some people that have built and sold condos before.

[aastra]

So do the bridges indicate that they're planning to go with exterior walkways instead of interior hallways? I'd say that's not good, although some ways of doing it are better than others.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=vancouv...5.49,,0,-10.08

http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=vancouv...40.73,,0,-8.78

[G-Man]

In the hardcopy version of the articles there were pics but they don't seem to be online. I can't remember the specifics of it though.

[amor de cosmos]

Neighbours welcomes towers plan for Old Esquimalt Inn site

They say change needed at rundown site

By Carla Wilson, Times Colonist May 21, 2011

Neighbours of the Old Esquimalt Inn welcome the idea of a $40-million mixeduse development on the pub site, although some want the height reduced on two condominium towers.

http://www.timescolonist.com/busines...039/story.html

[aastra]

"I've never been really happy with what is here," said neighbour Willie MacGillivray.

"It needs a paint job, there's pressboard up there and that sort of stuff. If they could come in with a quality product here, I would listen to them."

As for 12 storeys, "it's a trade-off, right?" MacGillivray said. "If they get 12 storeys, what do we get?"

Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/busines...#ixzz1N0gmcLR3

A decent building, hopefully. Decent design, decent materials. That would be the best thing for the site. No waterslides or Ferris wheels. Just an attractive development.

[LJ]

^Yeah, I wondered about some of those comments when I read them.

Do they feel entitled to something?

They are going to get some new neighbours, quite a few of them.

[sdwright.vic]

City of Esquimalt seems to be enthusiastic about this project so far.



http://www.timescolonist.com/busines...598/story.html

[MarkCB]

Received notice in the mail today of a public hearing for this project scheduled for Nov 7 at 7pm at Esquimalt city hall.

[Mike K.]

Esquimalt voters voted to approve this project (I believe this was the project tied to the election ballot, was is not?.

[sdwright.vic]

Nope this was approval for the project next to city hall.

[Mike K.]

Ah. Also 12-storeys?

[sdwright.vic]

Nope one 12 and one 10. They will be set back from Lyall St as they get taller. With the bulk of the missing facing Esquimalt Rd.

[aastra]

What about the West Bay Marina's condo building proposal? Do we have a thread for that?

[Rosie's Boy]

What? They're tearing down the Half Way House? Pongo's paradise. What a shame, but the Tudor's gain!

[MarkCB]

The pub hired a new manager, and the staff I've talked to say the owner isn't interested in building right now. It looks like he wanted the development permit 'just in case'. Looks like nothing will happen on this site for a while.

Good and bad for me living next door-- I get to keep my sunlight for a while, but I still have to live with the bar noise. There's nothing like the sound of esquimalt locals getting drunk for cheap on tuesday nights...

[Sparky]

^Welcome To Vibrant Victoria Rosie's Boy.