PROJECT TEAM. Amacon has assembled a highly qualified project team ROBSON STREET. Amacon Developer. GBL Architect

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1 PROJECT TEAM Amacon has assembled a highly qualified project team. Amacon Developer GBL Architect For over four decades, Amacon has been one of the most influential real estate development and construction firms in Canada. With a spectacular portfolio of landmark developments in Vancouver and Toronto, Amacon has established a highly regarded reputation for setting the standard in the development industry. GBL is a comprehensive, energetic, and diverse firm of architects providing a full range of architectural services to the private and public sectors. The firm has built its reputation on high quality design, tight project management, technical proficiency, financial responsibility, and keen administrative skills. Amacon is driven by passion to design with architectural innovation; a commitment to constructing uncompromising standards of quality and superior craftsmanship; and offering responsive customer care and proven satisfaction. These are the building blocks that define Amacon s signature developments and new communities. Each project design is based upon our knowledge of traditional and innovative construction techniques, materials and methods, and our familiarity with the appropriate local codes and approval processes. The considerable number of projects successfully realized by GBL have helped to shape the form and development of communities and neighbourhoods throughout British Columbia. All projects - regardless of size or budget - are thoroughly embraced and consistently treated with the same high level of attention and care.

2 AMACON Amacon has been building homes in the Metro Vancouver region and beyond for over four decades. We are passionate about creating communities that improve quality of life for new and existing residents. District - Vancouver McGregor - Burnaby The Melville - Vancouver Virtu - Vancouver The Beasley - Vancouver Modern - Vancouver

3 ROBSON STREET AREA CONTEXT: DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER Robson Street is located in Downtown Vancouver, and is surrounded by a variety of uses including residential buildings, office space, shops, services, and hotels.

4 NEIGHBOURHOOD CONTEXT: THE STADIUM DISTRICT The Stadium District is a lively and vibrant part of Downtown Vancouver. It draws people from across the region as a place to live, shop, work, and play. photo credit: Magnus Larsson (Flickr) photo credit: GoToVan (Flickr) photo credit: Andre Faria Gomes (Flickr) photo credit: RyAwesome (Flickr) photo credit: Shinsuke Ikegame (Flickr)

5 SITE CONTEXT Robson Street is located across the street from Terry Fox Plaza. Vancouver Central Library The City of Vancouver defines this area of the Downtown as the Central Business District (CBD) and the CBD Shoulder. As part of the CBD shoulder, Robson Street is anticipated to develop as part of a transition area between the CBD and the historic areas and residential areas to the east and south. Vancouver Central Library Queen Elizabeth Theatre Queen Elizabeth Theatre Robson Street Terry Fox Plaza Terry Fox Plaza BC Place Stadium BC Place Stadium

6 THE PROPOSAL Our proposal includes the restoration of the Northern Electric Company Building façade, a hotel, residential suites, and an enhanced public realm. We are pursuing a rezoning application to allow for the construction of a 29-storey mixed-use building that includes a hotel with a restaurant and amenities, with residential uses above. Heritage Restoration Hotel and Restaurant Residential Uses Public Realm Improvements

7 HERITAGE RESTORATION The Northern Electric Company Building façade will be restored and re-purposed into a hotel, reanimating the space and contributing to a vibrant pedestrian experience. History The Northern Electric Company Building, is a three storey brick and stone building located in downtown Vancouver. The building is listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register in the B category and is not designated. The building in its present form was built for the Northern Electric Co. of Montreal in two phases: 1928 and The first phase of the building was designed by J. O. Despatie (the Company s in-house architect) in collaboration with McCarter Nairne architects of Vancouver in In 1947, a large addition was made to the eastern portion of the building. In 1958, the building was purchased by the Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver for use as their Catholic Centre offices and the Catholic Charities Mens Hostel. Internal renovations were done by the architect John Harvey. Some modifications to the Robson entrance have subsequently been made. The exterior of the building has heritage value, and is an interesting example of commercial vernacular design with Art Moderne and Classical motifs at the entrance. The Robson Street entry features three bays framed with handsome broad granite fluted pilasters and a rusticated granite base. The balance of the building is clad in wirecut brick and has metal-framed windows. A vestige of an old rail line to the Robson frontage is evident in the parking lot to the east (a former gas station). There is little remaining of heritage value on the interior. Northern Electric Building,1929; COV BuN279.1; City of Vancouver Archives

8 PUBLIC REALM IMPROVEMENTS Our proposal will contribute to an improved public realm with new and larger sidewalks, public gathering space, and improved pedestrian linkages to Terry Fox Plaza. CURRENT CONDITION: NARROW SIDEWALKS AND CROWDED PEDESTRIAN REALM PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS: WIDER SIDEWALKS (EXPANDED FROM 12.5 FT TO 36.5 FT), GENEROUS PEDESTRIAN REALM, DIRECT CONNECTIONS TO TERRY FOX PLAZA

9 CATHOLIC CHARITIES What is happening to the Catholic Charities hostel currently located on site? Although we have not yet identified a future site for the relocated shelter, Amacon and Catholic Charities are currently exploring a number of locations within the downtown area.

10 DESIGN RATIONALE Our design draws on the surrounding context and enhances the pedestrian experience. Historic Northern Electric Company Building Terry Fox Plaza + BC Place [improve public space] The provision of new public space at the corner of Robson and Beatty coupled with an improved commercial interface along Robson Street allow for an expanded and significantly enhanced pedestrian experience at the periphery of Terry Fox Plaza. [program] The site programming specifically addresses the need for active building uses at street level to encourage vibrancy and liveliness in one of Canada s premiere entertainment districts. Active building uses are combined with Residential and Hotel above. [material response] The project playfully embraces a tactful use of materials which reference those of the historic Northern Electric Company Building. In this iteration, the glazed podium and tower act as a foil to the existing historic building, and serve to tie together the other main volumes of the composition in a neutral manner.

11 LANDSCAPE PLAN

12 ROBSON STREET SITE PLAN