Jason Vanderhill came across this fascinating Jack Webster interview with Arthur Erickson in 1983, discussing the development of B.C. Place (when it was a proposed megaproject to be developed by the Province) for which he was the consulting architect. Renderings start at 9.45. (A very-80s Dave Podmore, head of planning for B.C. Place, shows up – that’s him below – at 7.30.)
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The densities proposed looked to be lower, park space greater, than what eventually emerged post-Expo, but the project was less residentially focused with more water- and stadium-oriented activities. (The stadium had just opened.)
Enjoy the first call at 16.10 from a taxi driver complaining about the traffic flow downtown, particularly because of the opening of Robson Street! Erickson also denounces the opening.
The first 2 residential building built as part of that BC Place plan are at 1625 and 1675 Hornby St. Both are condos on leasehold land – so I assume that the rest of the site would have been leasehold rather than freehold land, with the Province retaining ownership.
http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/4716.php
http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/4715.php
A couple interesting take-aways:
1) Was Robson historically closed between the old court house and Robson Square?
2) The conceptual plan for plazas and retail outside the stadium for people to spill out across after events could be realized with the moving of the casino and plans for the redevelopment of the plaza of nations.
3) In response to a caller, Podmore mentioned the model was at the Eaton’s Centre before being moved to Woodward’s stores, and the Robson Centre. I thought that was fascinating. Using very popular high volume shopping area (on private property) to showcase the concept for the community takes the consultation to the people. Instead of the small community venues. It would be great to have planning & development information at skytrain stations or malls. People who wouldn’t take time out of their schedule (most people) to go to a public hearing might stop for a few minutes on errand or commute.
(1) No as far as I know, but I assume it was during the construction of the court house.
It was nevertheless an agreed plan to close Robson to cars (and keeping it open to Transit only)…However the city was not warm to this idea: that said at the time of the interview the Connaught bridge was still feeding directly Robson…
more detail here:
http://voony.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/vancouver-courthouse-blocks-51-61-71-the-final-erickson-proposal/
in fact at the time of the interview, I think the coplet Nelson/Smythe was already used due to the BC-Place construction.
The public displays were more likely because it was a Provincial Government initiative – promoting their project – like they tour around for SkyTrain projects.
This clueless Scottish immigrant loved it! Gives hope that a brusque and thickly accented Scotsman can make it into local hearts.
The criticism of the underground pacific centre was nice to hear. Can readers educate me on the reference to Granville street and west end troubles?
I believe Granville Street (Downtown) is a reference to the pedestrianization of the street turning it into a Transit/Ped mall in the 80’s that turned into a ghetto because there was no one living downtown to support it. I think the West End had issues in the 80’s with Prostitution? Hence the introduction of traffic calming measures (breaking through streets) to stop cruising of Johns? Is this true Gord or someone else?
Aw..this was so cool to hear.
Funny about the Alvin Narod reference. When I stood with a group under the bulldozer blade at BC Place to prevent the demolition of the roundhouse…it must have been in January of 1982…a bunch of us were taken to Mr. Narod’s office by CP police. Mr. Narod told us we would never be employed within the city because of our actions. Now the roundhouse is a community centre, and I did work for the City for 28 years.
I guess he was right.
In the conceptual drawings of False Creek, I see a lot more pedestrian spaces than were realized. The idea of attractive, cafe-lined plazas around BC Place is especially mismatched with the dreary form we have today. I think the most life in the area is found outside of CostCo. I’m not entirely sure why the terminus of Robson has always struggled, but I suspect the uninviting streetscape plays a part.