Woodward’s condo project opens: The ‘W’ is back in business
Long-awaited, much-heralded remake of famous department store
BY ELAINE O’CONNOR, THE PROVINCE | AUGUST 21, 2009
Soaring skyward: The Woodward’s ‘W’ tower.
Photograph by: Gerry Kahrmann, The Province
After years of waiting, Woodward’s is finally rolling out the welcome mat.
The first of the Downtown Eastside development’s residents are moving in to the ‘W’ Tower this week, closing out a long chapter in the history of the circa-1903 heritage property.
Houtan Rafii of Westbank Projects, one of the members of the consortium behind the $330-million-plus development, said the first of the condo homeowners in the finished ‘W’ tower took possession of their units Wednesday.
About 30 people a day are now taking possession of their suites and can start to move in furniture.
Back in 2004, when proposals for development were floated, the expectation was that the complex could be completed by late 2006 or 2007.
It’s taken a bit longer than that…
Read the full article at theprovince.com.
Who says East is East, West is West, and never the twain shall meet?
BY MICHAEL HARRIS PUBLISHED SEP 1, 2009
The Woodward’s redevelopment is a massive social experiment bringing people together, regardless of income
Image Credit: Christina Lanteigne
From his book-crammed office on the sixth floor of the Dominion Building on Hastings, Jim Green has monitored the reinvention of Woodward’s. If Woodward’s is anyone’s baby, it’s his. Beginning in 1985 (five years before the store was shuttered), Green led the community lobby for its transformation into a complex that would draw all elements of the city into one mixed-use mecca. His opening came in 2003 as the province, which owned the land, was trying to get a reticent COPE city council to sign off on the Olympic bid. When Gordon Campbell asked how he could get council’s support for the 2010 Games, Green, a COPE kingpin, gave a list. One element: “I need Woodward’s…”
Read the full article at vanmag.com.
Woodward’s: What Will the Building’s Legacy Be?
Image courtesy Megaphone Magazine
Woodward’s isn’t just a realized dream, it’s a sleeping revolution. East Hastings was once a hub of retail activity—a destination centre for middle-class families and low-income singles alike, and where the large orange W stood tall on its perch. Not many buildings, or neighbourhoods for that matter, can boast such a popularity or metamorphosis.
Read the full article on Stefania Seccia’s Blog.
Bridge Statistics-Lane Trial Traffic Volumes
The first two weeks of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle traffic data from the Burrard Bridge Bike Lane Trial show that cycling is up, pedestrian traffic has remained steady and vehicle traffic has fluctuated, with a slight decline overall compared to pre-trial levels. Motor vehicle traffic on the Granville Bridge has also been counted.
Read the full report at vancouver.ca.
