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Building Character 601 WEST PENDER Rezoning Application Booklet 2019.11.01 23 Nature | Office The inspiration behind the building is to weave together elements of nature with elements of architecture to create an oasis in the city. The facade is made up of framed elements that fold in two directions to create a weave effect. The materiality is thought of as a shiny warm metal that reflects light and adds unexpected color to its surroundings. While the glass in the main tower is flat, at the bottom and the top of the building, the glass starts to fold in plan to open up areas for views into retail and amenity, respectively. At the base and extending up the tower, setbacks are met and added to by extending the sidewalk into the property line. Landscape elements add interest and life to the street scape. Further landscape is added to the architectural canopy, so greenery is experienced 3-dimensionally. At the top, the folding glass creates terraced gardens as well as open slots to the sky. In the context of the city, the building brings an interplay of light, reflection and nature to the Vancouver skyline.

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Page 1: Building Character - Vancouver · Building Character 601 WEST PENDER Rezoning Application Booklet 2019.11.01 23 Nature | Office The inspiration behind the building is to weave together

Building Character

601 WEST PENDERRezoning Application Booklet

2019.11.01 23

Nature | Office

The inspiration behind the building is to weave together

elements of nature with elements of architecture to

create an oasis in the city. The facade is made up of

framed elements that fold in two directions to create a

weave effect. The materiality is thought of as a shiny warm

metal that reflects light and adds unexpected color to its

surroundings.

While the glass in the main tower is flat, at the bottom

and the top of the building, the glass starts to fold in

plan to open up areas for views into retail and amenity,

respectively.

At the base and extending up the tower, setbacks are

met and added to by extending the sidewalk into the

property line. Landscape elements add interest and

life to the street scape. Further landscape is added to

the architectural canopy, so greenery is experienced

3-dimensionally.

At the top, the folding glass creates terraced gardens as

well as open slots to the sky. In the context of the city, the

building brings an interplay of light, reflection and nature

to the Vancouver skyline.

Page 2: Building Character - Vancouver · Building Character 601 WEST PENDER Rezoning Application Booklet 2019.11.01 23 Nature | Office The inspiration behind the building is to weave together

Alley Oop Laneway

601 WEST PENDERRezoning Application Booklet

2019.11.01 24

In this proposal, Reliance has made a conscious

effort to respect the sense of place created by

the Alley Oop while simultaneously allowing for

normal business function of the laneway areas

to serve the required demands of the proposed

development. The current design intends to

have some basic functions of the building

occurring serviced by the laneway. These

functions include:

• the loading bay area which consists of two

“Class A” and two “Class B” loading zones;

• the waste management room and pickup area;

• the parkade access ramp for both vehicle and

bicycle traffic

These uses have been designed to face

the laneway area due to applicable bylaw

requirements and in order to preserve the

streetscape and façade continuity along

Seymour St. and West Pender St. To ensure

the listed functions work in cohesion with the

public space the traffic issues related to private

vehicles, bicycles, and service vehicles from

these uses will require careful and diligent study.

The goal of this project was to transform an

under-utilized area of the City into a public

space that was a unique, lively, and safe

addition to the downtown streetscape. The

alleyway is painted in vibrant pink and yellow

colours and can be used on occasion for

temporary pop up events. This laneway is

shared by people and vehicles, which continue

to access the lane for service purposes. The

painting pink of the adjacent buildings 443

Seymour to the South and 602 Hastings to the

North was permitted by the building owners.

Both of these buildings are owned by Reliance.

Reliance also permitted a basketball hoop to be

attached to its building at 602 Hastings.

Reliance understands that the proposed

development will significantly impact the

alleyway in its current form, however the design

of the building is in alignment with the values

of the Alley Oop project as it intends to activate

the public realm and create liveliness at the

prominent downtown intersection of Seymour

and Pender by providing ample street-oriented

retail space along both roadways.

Page 3: Building Character - Vancouver · Building Character 601 WEST PENDER Rezoning Application Booklet 2019.11.01 23 Nature | Office The inspiration behind the building is to weave together

Alley Oop Laneway

601 WEST PENDERRezoning Application Booklet

2019.11.01 25

Reliance feels the design of the development

at street level will be beneficial to pedestrians

and improve the public’s interaction with the

surrounding urban space. However, considering

this proposed development’s proximity to the

Alley Oop, the design team is fully prepared

to continue to work in collaboration with the

DVBIA and any other stakeholders to ensure

their vision for the future of the alleyway space

is considered and planned for.

It is also possible that a portion of CAC’s

resulting from the project could be considered

as a funding source for Alley Oop and an

opportunity to further develop and enhance the

design. As an example the loading area could

still be painted pink to continue the theme.

And as Reliance owns the buildings on both

sides we have considered and suggested to the

DVBIA the possibility of a retractable roof scrim

that would be suspended well above the traffic

pattern of the Alley and could be deployed for

pop-up events in the lane.

Cross Alley pink Catenary lighting would also be

an option.

Alley Oop activities including pedestrian

traffic considerations would be evaluated in a

Transportation Assessment and Management

Study (TAMS) to determine the feasibility and

functionality of this design and how different

uses will interact.

Page 4: Building Character - Vancouver · Building Character 601 WEST PENDER Rezoning Application Booklet 2019.11.01 23 Nature | Office The inspiration behind the building is to weave together

Public Benefits

601 WEST PENDERRezoning Application Booklet

2019.11.01 26

Open and Active Public Realm at Grade

Open and active public Realm at grade. Landscape raised

public plaza.

Full height setback allows for entry along Pender, continuing

city’s intention of porosity through sites along this block.

Public Art

Public art will be provided according to the applicable council

policies.

Rogers Building

A “Historic Design Rationale for 601 W Pender Street” for the

adjacent Rogers Building has been completed (see Appendix).

CAC Contributions

Should the project proceed as Strata Office a negotiated CAC

will be provided. Potential elements of any negotiated CAC

may include heritage density or heritage amenity shares as

well as other potential on site amenities such as Alley Oop (see

separate section) and or on site Cultural facilities.

If the project proceeds as a for Lease office a Commercial

Linkage fee of $15.78 psf on net additional floor area.

Job Creation in the City’s Core

New Retail opportunities at grade and Office Space above.

Payment of DCL (Development Cost Levy)

DCL Payments will help fund projects across the city that will

benefit everyone.

A Showcase of Sustainable Technology and Design

The Project will meet low emission green building policy.