Shangri-la Vancouver

IanO · 28-01-2009, 11:09 AM

I spent some time last weekend checking out the newly opened Shangri-la... all you can say is WOW!

enjoy

My ridiculously long photo 'ode to the la' (some shot from the top of Cielo):

and the "OMG the Shangri-la is on friggen FIRE" picture to end it

raz0469 · 28-01-2009, 11:12 AM

What, they wouldn't let you inside? I just have this image of IanO being dragged out the front door by a security guard, kicking and screaming about curtain wall and finishes and so on.

etownboarder · 28-01-2009, 11:14 AM

haha, obsessed a bit?

IanO · 28-01-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raz0469

What, they wouldn't let you inside? I just have this image of IanO being dragged out the front door by a security guard, kicking and screaming about curtain wall and finishes and so on.

HAHAHA.... wicked.

It was open, but I was pretty busy and didnt have time to actually stop in.

GoMod · 28-01-2009, 11:24 AM

i love that 'intervention' about three-quarters of the way up!

IanO · 28-01-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoMod

i love that 'intervention' about three-quarters of the way up!

indeed.... see below:

grish · 28-01-2009, 11:27 AM

i have never seen a building stalked until now. Ian, it's not like it is going to cheat on you, but perhaps you need to get a Shangri-La cam to watch it in action.

GoMod · 28-01-2009, 11:28 AM

Architect?

Modernart · 28-01-2009, 11:29 AM

Aaaah Vancouver....sooooo nice. That place looks pure class, but design wise I like the Sheraton on Robson better. Neither of them can compare to the Delta Edmonton South though.

moahunter · 28-01-2009, 11:30 AM

Close up - the glass looks a bit like they copied the Legislature Annex, is it comparable quality?

IanO · 28-01-2009, 11:30 AM

J.KM.Cheng....

GoMod · 28-01-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modernart

Aaaah Vancouver....sooooo nice. That place looks pure class, but design wise I like the Sheraton on Robson better. Neither of them can compare to the Delta Edmonton South though.

Sheraton

Delta (Edmonton)

etownboarder · 28-01-2009, 11:37 AM

Mmmmm, that top one is HOT!!!

Modernart · 28-01-2009, 12:06 PM

^ Yeah sure is, I usually stay at the hotel right across the street, just for the view of the Sheraton.

Chmilz · 28-01-2009, 04:20 PM

Pictures like that kick our local mediocre architecture squarely in the nuts (and bolts). The general public seems so eager build anything that "anything" is what gets built, not spectacular designs such as those posted above.

mark · 28-01-2009, 05:18 PM

the same architect (james k.m. cheng) designed century park here in edmonton. The quality of the design should be on par with anything in vancouver.

Caesar555 · 28-01-2009, 06:23 PM

Golly, a glass skyscraper in Vancouver.

To me, it all just blends in together. Nothing inspiring here.

The_Cat · 28-01-2009, 06:53 PM

The Shangri-La looks great, just in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics. While it's the tallest, I don't think it overwhelms the skyline, and it shouldn't, given the wonderful mountains in the background.

oscar · 28-01-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caesar555

Golly, a glass skyscraper in Vancouver.

To me, it all just blends in together. Nothing inspiring here.

I know what were they thinking when they could have went pink stucco with punch out windows and a big surface parking lot beside.....just terrible!!!!!!!!!

kcantor · 28-01-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Cat

The Shangri-La looks great, just in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics. While it's the tallest, I don't think it overwhelms the skyline, and it shouldn't, given the wonderful mountains in the background.

mountains in the background??? we were there two weeks ago for 8 days split between whistler and vancouver. had lunch at bridges on granville island on the way to the airport on the saturday and couldn't even see the bridges for the fog. it's pretty cool to not even see the top of shangri-la for the clouds - maybe the view premium should start to go down as you approach the top because the view disappears in the clouds for that many more days every year...

i had the pleasure of touring the building last year although we had to take the open outside made in korea construction hoist to the 58th floor to get near the top. even though they had hotel and lower floor show suites completed already curtain-wall hadn't reached the top yet. it was raining at street level but at the top were still struggling with snow removal from the top floors that hadn't been closed in yet...

IanO · 29-01-2009, 08:11 AM

^that would have been pretty amazing... how about one of those here kc.

kcantor · 29-01-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanO

^that would have been pretty amazing... how about one of those here kc.

Give us a chance to getthe main floor deck and the lower floors up first ok?

IanO · 29-01-2009, 08:37 AM

^deal.

now how about that tour....

Perspective · 29-01-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caesar555

Golly, a glass skyscraper in Vancouver.

To me, it all just blends in together. Nothing inspiring here.

I was in vancouver last week and i couldnt help but notice the same thing. Don't get me wrong i think their buildings are all very nice, but except for slight details they all really look the same. That's why i think the Sheraton stands out, because though it is glass like the others, it actually has a shape to it. (the sheraton is very nice! the inside too i think it was done great). I think vancouver should send some of those glass buildings over here, and we can send over some of our buildings, you know to balance out both cities

hahaha

GoMod · 29-01-2009, 11:09 AM

^Rather, lets trade some architecture firms!

IanO · 29-01-2009, 11:29 AM

^developers...

kcantor · 29-01-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanO

^developers...

careful what you wish for...

kubchaser · 01-02-2009, 07:41 PM

Hey Ian,

I was in Vancouver last weekend too! I also went to visit Shangri-La. I must say that the building itself is amazing! I believe it is 62 or 63 some floor tall.

1-15 (Shangri-La hotel)
16-40-some (work and live residents)
40-some to penthouse (high-end residents)

The only concern I have is the hotel itself. I am NOT impressed by the interior decorations: poor chandelier selection, tacky lounge seats, odd art works and tiny dining/lounge on the first floor.

The hotel should have been designed a lot bigger, using a bit of land from Urban Fair. By the way, Urban Fair is amazing!!! What a beautiful concept.. too bad we didn't have one here

lat · 01-02-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kubchaser

... By the way, Urban Fair is amazing!!! What a beautiful concept.. too bad we didn't have one here

We had one here for a while on 96 ave and 142 st., where the delux burger bar (among other things) are now. Their $100 loaves of bread imported from France on the concorde didn't "fly" too well here! I shopped there a number of times. Have to say I wasn't at all impressed... just my opinion!

kubchaser · 01-02-2009, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lat

Quote:

Originally Posted by kubchaser

... By the way, Urban Fair is amazing!!! What a beautiful concept.. too bad we didn't have one here

We had one here for a while on 96 ave and 142 st., where the delux burger bar (among other things) are now. Their $100 loaves of bread imported from France on the concorde didn't "fly" too well here! I shopped there a number of times. Have to say I wasn't at all impressed... just my opinion!

I like the look of it.. LOL but not the prices...

moahunter · 01-02-2009, 09:03 PM

^Same. It's fine to charge extra for the odd specialty item, but at least half the stuff they had was exactly the same as from the very good quality IGA nearby, except for the much higher price tag. You can probably get away with that in extremely high end neighborhoods in some Cities at locations where there is no alternative, but not in Edmonton I think, we don't quite have the same "image" crowd who will pay for the privilege of being seen in the "right" store.

IanO · 02-02-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kubchaser

Hey Ian,

I was in Vancouver last weekend too! I also went to visit Shangri-La. I must say that the building itself is amazing! I believe it is 62 or 63 some floor tall.

1-15 (Shangri-La hotel)
16-40-some (work and live residents)
40-some to penthouse (high-end residents)

The only concern I have is the hotel itself. I am NOT impressed by the interior decorations: poor chandelier selection, tacky lounge seats, odd art works and tiny dining/lounge on the first floor.

The hotel should have been designed a lot bigger, using a bit of land from Urban Fair. By the way, Urban Fair is amazing!!! What a beautiful concept.. too bad we didn't have one here

I agree about the main floor... relatively not impressive, but overall an amazing development.

oscar · 02-02-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moahunter

^Same. It's fine to charge extra for the odd specialty item, but at least half the stuff they had was exactly the same as from the very good quality IGA nearby, except for the much higher price tag. You can probably get away with that in extremely high end neighborhoods in some Cities at locations where there is no alternative, but not in Edmonton I think, we don't quite have the same "image" crowd who will pay for the privilege of being seen in the "right" store.

I completely disagree, they carried many unique items not available anywhere else in town, service was fabulous, store was always spotless and they also had a great floral department. That IGA is not even close to being in the same league.

moahunter · 02-02-2009, 01:29 PM

^ I know which one is still in business and doing great. The urban fair was a total wrip off with respect to the bulk of its products (which weren't even original - you can find specialty products in many supermarkets now, not to mention places like Bens Meats) - Edmontonians had enough sense to recognize that.

Sonic Death Monkey · 02-02-2009, 08:15 PM

^ Sobey's downtown urban market is a similar concept but not as pretentious.

moahunter · 03-02-2009, 09:29 AM

^Agreed. The SaveOn at 109 street is another very good example of how to do it in Edmonton. Both of these are IMO much better than an Urban Fair in Vancouver, but the proof is in the pudding of how well these stores are doing.

kubchaser · 03-02-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanO

Quote:

Originally Posted by kubchaser

Hey Ian,

I was in Vancouver last weekend too! I also went to visit Shangri-La. I must say that the building itself is amazing! I believe it is 62 or 63 some floor tall.

1-15 (Shangri-La hotel)
16-40-some (work and live residents)
40-some to penthouse (high-end residents)

The only concern I have is the hotel itself. I am NOT impressed by the interior decorations: poor chandelier selection, tacky lounge seats, odd art works and tiny dining/lounge on the first floor.

The hotel should have been designed a lot bigger, using a bit of land from Urban Fair. By the way, Urban Fair is amazing!!! What a beautiful concept.. too bad we didn't have one here

I agree about the main floor... relatively not impressive, but overall an amazing development.

I was disappointed by the proportion of the hotel to the size of the BUILDING. The front entrance has tall ceiling but very tiny.. not GRAND at all; plus, did you see the entrance for private residents? Isn't that depressing? a little entry on Alberni... weird concept considering how much those residents PAY!! LOL

Overall, it is still an impressive development though.. I was just expecting a bit more.

moahunter · 04-02-2009, 09:21 AM

^I stayed in the Marriott Pinnacle in Vancouver recently and noticed the same thing. It looks like a nice glass tower from the outside, but inside was quite disappointing for a hotel (at least IMO). The foyer was relatively small, and the elevator areas seemed minute both for hotel guests and residents (at least, I think it has residents, I wasn't sure).

I wonder if these compromised hotel / condo type things are always flawed like this, or if it is just a Vancouver thing?

MylesC · 04-02-2009, 03:37 PM

The same could be said of Wall Centre. Nice on the outside...but a pretty 'meh' Sheraton on the inside.

28-01-2009, 11:09 AM	#1
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	Shangri-la Vancouver I spent some time last weekend checking out the newly opened Shangri-la... all you can say is WOW! enjoy My ridiculously long photo 'ode to the la' (some shot from the top of Cielo): and the "OMG the Shangri-la is on friggen FIRE" picture to end it __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

28-01-2009, 11:24 AM	#5
GoMod Addicted to C2E Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Earth	i love that 'intervention' about three-quarters of the way up! __________________ In favour of Architecture that is of our time and place.

28-01-2009, 11:27 AM	#7
grish Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	i have never seen a building stalked until now. Ian, it's not like it is going to cheat on you, but perhaps you need to get a Shangri-La cam to watch it in action. __________________ My name is Gregory B.

28-01-2009, 11:28 AM	#8
GoMod Addicted to C2E Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Earth	Architect? __________________ In favour of Architecture that is of our time and place.

28-01-2009, 11:30 AM	#10
moahunter Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta	Close up - the glass looks a bit like they copied the Legislature Annex, is it comparable quality? Last edited by moahunter; 28-01-2009 at 11:34 AM..

28-01-2009, 11:12 AM	#2
raz0469 Addicted to C2E Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Edmonton	What, they wouldn't let you inside? I just have this image of IanO being dragged out the front door by a security guard, kicking and screaming about curtain wall and finishes and so on.

28-01-2009, 11:14 AM	#3
etownboarder Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Old Strathcona	haha, obsessed a bit?

28-01-2009, 11:29 AM	#9
Modernart First One is Always Free Join Date: Jan 2009	Aaaah Vancouver....sooooo nice. That place looks pure class, but design wise I like the Sheraton on Robson better. Neither of them can compare to the Delta Edmonton South though.

28-01-2009, 11:30 AM	#11
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	J.KM.Cheng.... __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

28-01-2009, 11:37 AM	#13
etownboarder Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Old Strathcona	Mmmmm, that top one is HOT!!!

28-01-2009, 12:06 PM	#14
Modernart First One is Always Free Join Date: Jan 2009	^ Yeah sure is, I usually stay at the hotel right across the street, just for the view of the Sheraton.

28-01-2009, 04:20 PM	#15
Chmilz Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2009	Pictures like that kick our local mediocre architecture squarely in the nuts (and bolts). The general public seems so eager build anything that "anything" is what gets built, not spectacular designs such as those posted above.

28-01-2009, 05:18 PM	#16
mark Addicted to C2E Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Victoria	the same architect (james k.m. cheng) designed century park here in edmonton. The quality of the design should be on par with anything in vancouver.

28-01-2009, 06:23 PM	#17
Caesar555 Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver	Golly, a glass skyscraper in Vancouver. To me, it all just blends in together. Nothing inspiring here.

28-01-2009, 06:53 PM	#18
The_Cat Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sherwood Park, AB	The Shangri-La looks great, just in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics. While it's the tallest, I don't think it overwhelms the skyline, and it shouldn't, given the wonderful mountains in the background. __________________ "Talk minus action equals zero." - Joe Keithley, D. O. A.

29-01-2009, 08:11 AM	#21
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	^that would have been pretty amazing... how about one of those here kc. __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

29-01-2009, 08:37 AM	#23
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	^deal. now how about that tour.... __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

29-01-2009, 11:09 AM	#25
GoMod Addicted to C2E Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Earth	^Rather, lets trade some architecture firms! __________________ In favour of Architecture that is of our time and place.

29-01-2009, 11:29 AM	#26
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	^developers... __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

01-02-2009, 07:41 PM	#28
kubchaser Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jul 2008	Hey Ian, I was in Vancouver last weekend too! I also went to visit Shangri-La. I must say that the building itself is amazing! I believe it is 62 or 63 some floor tall. 1-15 (Shangri-La hotel) 16-40-some (work and live residents) 40-some to penthouse (high-end residents) The only concern I have is the hotel itself. I am NOT impressed by the interior decorations: poor chandelier selection, tacky lounge seats, odd art works and tiny dining/lounge on the first floor. The hotel should have been designed a lot bigger, using a bit of land from Urban Fair. By the way, Urban Fair is amazing!!! What a beautiful concept.. too bad we didn't have one here

01-02-2009, 09:03 PM	#31
moahunter Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta	^Same. It's fine to charge extra for the odd specialty item, but at least half the stuff they had was exactly the same as from the very good quality IGA nearby, except for the much higher price tag. You can probably get away with that in extremely high end neighborhoods in some Cities at locations where there is no alternative, but not in Edmonton I think, we don't quite have the same "image" crowd who will pay for the privilege of being seen in the "right" store. Last edited by moahunter; 01-02-2009 at 09:06 PM..

02-02-2009, 01:29 PM	#34
moahunter Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta	^ I know which one is still in business and doing great. The urban fair was a total wrip off with respect to the bulk of its products (which weren't even original - you can find specialty products in many supermarkets now, not to mention places like Bens Meats) - Edmontonians had enough sense to recognize that.

02-02-2009, 08:15 PM	#35
Sonic Death Monkey Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Downtown	^ Sobey's downtown urban market is a similar concept but not as pretentious. __________________ “You have to dream big. If we want to be a little city, we dream small. If we want to be a big city, we dream big, and this is a big idea.” - Mayor Stephen Mandel, 02/22/2012

03-02-2009, 09:29 AM	#36
moahunter Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta	^Agreed. The SaveOn at 109 street is another very good example of how to do it in Edmonton. Both of these are IMO much better than an Urban Fair in Vancouver, but the proof is in the pudding of how well these stores are doing.

04-02-2009, 09:21 AM	#38
moahunter Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta	^I stayed in the Marriott Pinnacle in Vancouver recently and noticed the same thing. It looks like a nice glass tower from the outside, but inside was quite disappointing for a hotel (at least IMO). The foyer was relatively small, and the elevator areas seemed minute both for hotel guests and residents (at least, I think it has residents, I wasn't sure). I wonder if these compromised hotel / condo type things are always flawed like this, or if it is just a Vancouver thing? Last edited by moahunter; 04-02-2009 at 09:23 AM..

04-02-2009, 03:37 PM	#39
MylesC Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles; Athens	The same could be said of Wall Centre. Nice on the outside...but a pretty 'meh' Sheraton on the inside. __________________ LA today, Athens tomorrow. I miss E-town.