221 Union, "V6A" is a collection of 128 modern residences created for those with a desire for authentic urban living in the heart of Vancouver's original neighbourhood, Strathcona. Located on Union Street between Main Street and Gore Avenue, V6A provides a current outlook on a vivid city. Just a few minutes from the Downtown core, Yaletown, South East False Creek, Gastown and Commercial Drive. Get to the heart of what matters. Presentation Ctr 1829 Quebec Street, 604-684-8717, www.onni.com , Developer; Onni Group of Companies, Architect: Lawrence Doyle Young & Wright Architects, Interior Designer; Inhouse, Occupancy; Early 2010, Suite sizes; 610 sq.ft. - 1335 sq.ft.
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221 Union Street
DE: 411269
Use: 9-storey residential and commercial
Zoning: HA-1A
Application Status: Complete
Architect: Young and Wright Architects Inc.
Review: First
Delegation: JLawrence Doyle, Young and Wright Architects Inc.; James Jarvis,
James Jarvis & Associates Ltd. (Landscape Architects); Toshimasa Ito, Ito
& Associates (Landscape Architect); Chris Evans, Onni Group of Companies;
Damien Crowell, Pottinger Gaherty Environmental Consultants Ltd.
Staff: Ralph Segal
EVALUATION: SUPPORT
(5-1)
Introduction: Ralph
Segal, Development Planner, introduced the application for a new residential building
in Chinatown. The proposed building is located in the non-designated sites portion
of Chinatown where new buildings are expected. The site differs from patterns
in Chinatown where lot sizes are generally very small. The building will contain
ground floor commercial with residential above with 50% of the units being studios
and the reminder either one or two bedroom units. The Panel adjourned to the model
where Mr. Segal further described the proposal and development in the surrounding
area.
Advice from the Panel on this application
is sought on the following:
1. Building Character and Architectural Treatment:
Does the overall building character and exterior patterning, treatment and detailing
respond appropriately to the Chinatown context (non-designated sites)?
2. Height:
Is the discretionary increase in height from 70 ft. to 90 ft. “earned”?
3. Union Street Pedestrian
Realm:
Will the proposal’s sidewalk perpendicular lane interface contribute activity
and visual interest to the Public Realm?
Mr. Segal took questions from the
Panel.
Applicant’s Introductory
Comments: Lawrence Doyle, Architect, further described the project noting
the sustainable and security measures planned for the project. Mr. Doyle added
that the brick on the building will be consistent with other buildings in the
area.
Toshimasa Ito, Landscape Architect,
described the landscape plans for the project noting the plans for the roof top
patios and the lane elevation. He added that landscaping the lane will improve
the overlook from the units.
The applicant team took questions
from the Panel.
Panel’s Consensus on Key Aspects
Needing Improvement:
Consider design development for a
more historical Chinatown context;
Consider reducing the floor area in the upper floors to allow; and
Consider design development to allow for a single storey penthouse.
Related Commentary: The Panel supported the basic massing, articulation and building
components although the Panel felt the building didn’t represent Chinatown
but had a more Yaletown appearance. Some of the Panel would like to see more reference
to the historical context of the area and felt the applicant had made the building
too contemporary in appearance. Several Panel members liked the simplicity of
the brick and thought it was well handled. They also liked the small, fine grained
architectural expressions and how they were detailed.
The Panel noted that retailers in
Chinatown usually put their wares out onto the street and the building would need
the appropriate weather protection.
Most of the Panel thought the upper
two floors were dominate and that the roof top elements should be more recessive.
They suggested a slight reduction of floor area on the upper most floors to allow
for a single storey penthouse to allow for more habitable space on the roof. A
couple of Panel members suggested that the cornice lines needed to be stronger.
Most of the Panel thought the pedestrian
realm could use more work and suggested adding more Ginko trees. They liked the
way the retail wrapped around to the west lane as it was felt this would result
in more use of the lane way but one Panel member suggested getting rid of the
mechanical unit on the lane.
A couple of Panel members had some
concern about the west facing suites noting that they would get hot and that ventilation
would be important. There was also a concern regarding the pure glass element
on the roof noting that the area could get very hot and would need a mechanical
solution.
Applicant’s Response:
Mr. Doyle thanked the Panel for their comments. He acknowledged that they will
look at the design for the upper two floors regarding making the penthouse less
dominant. Mr. Doyle expressed concern with the required setbacks on the lane adding
that the design needs to take the setback into consideration.
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