Unveiling
Potential
Identifying what could be:
Once the issues and challenges are exposed and understood the unveiling of potential begins.
1000 Block West Sixth Avenue, Vancouver, BC
In this case, however, what seemed an enormous obstacle was also a godsend. Notified that the ‘site prep’ costs would be onerous, the question was: ‘Why ?’ The answer: Amongst the old, dilapidated wood structures three steel-reinforced, concrete buildings also stood on the site. The followup question: If so well-constructed, when were they built? Answer: 1920s!”
“Huh! ...Well, that’s a long time ago. They must be ‘Heritage Buildings’!” Initially resisting this idea, fearing the development application would be rejected, project architects worried that the claim might be considered ‘over-the-top’ by City Planning Officials. In the end, however, the assertion stood. The above ‘concept plan’ was accepted, no doubt assisted by the fact that the City's Head Planner (at the time) favoured old Heritage Sites
This novel approach to the project proved serendipitous. Along with securing permission to
use the old concrete structures, creating significant structural-salvage-value, the applied-for
‘Heritage Status’ brought financial gains as well. Proving vital to the project’s overall success was the related reward. Called a “Heritage Bonus” it earned the project an additional 25,000 Square Feet of buildable space.
Just imagine the value this extra space would be in today's marketplace!