Image Credit: Stonework on Facade of Flack Block by Renewal Partners, on Flickr
The conservation and rehabilitation of the Flack Block has received a 2010 Outstanding Achievement Award from Heritage BC. For a complete description of the project, visit the awards page at Heritage BC.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in downtown Vancouver.
For the second consecutive year, Vancouver has been chosen as the “most liveable city in the world”, placing just ahead of Vienna. This is hot on the heels of Vancouver ranking amongst Fast Company’s list of “most innovative cities” last week.
From The Economists website:
“Vancouver is still the most liveable city in the world, according to a new ranking from the Economist Intelligence Unit. The Canadian city topped a “liveability survey” of 140 cities, as it did in 2008.
The ranking scores each city from 0-100 on 30 factors spread across five areas: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Vancouver’s average score was 98—0.8 less than last year—but the margins at the top are all tight, with the best ten cities scoring over 96.
Vienna came second (it was top in Mercer’s similar recent study) and Melbourne third. The top ten included three Canadian cities, three Australian ones and four from Europe. High-scoring cities tend to be mid-sized and located in developed countries with a low population density. This means they can benefit from the availability of both cultural and recreational attractions, but with lower crime levels and fewer infrastructure problems than are often found among large populations.
Pittsburgh, in 29th place, was judged the most liveable American city. London and New York were 51st and 56th respectively. Harare brings up the rear, scoring 37.5 points.”
You can read the original story on The Economist’s website, and can see some of the 2008 story here.
The City of Vancouver Heritage Commission has awarded four of the Salient Group’s developments for building rehabilitation as follows:
The Flack Block, 163 West Hastings Street, an Award of Honour for structural, seismic and building systems upgrading, sustainable interiors, locally crafted stone façade components, reinstated areaways, extensive exterior restoration, and a compatible contemporary rooftop addition.
The Bowman Block, 528 Beatty Street, as Award of Merit for the mindful, restrained exterior preservation, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse to commercial and residential, including a compatible contemporary loft addition.
The Paris Block, 53 West Hastings Street, an Award or Recognition for its rescue, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, and for the social and economic benefit the project provides to the downtown neighbourhood.
The Lumbermen’s Building, 509 Richards Street, an Award of Recognition for its rehabilitation and structural upgrade, including exposing the original banking hall ceiling, and providing high quality ground floor use and office space.
Architects Acton Ostry, were just awarded a Heritage Honour Award by the City of Vancouver’s Heritage Commission for their work on The Flack Block.
Continue reading “Flack Block: Acton Ostry – Restoration Project Receives Heritage Honour Award” »
Robert Fung, Bob Rennie, Francesco Aquilini, and Vancouver Magazine Editor Gary Ross at the Power50 Awards.
The Vanmag Power List 2008
Read the whole story here, and a video of the event can be seen here.
Westcoast Homes – Are you living in an award winner?
Vancouver Sun
October 13, 2007
The UniverCity community atop Burnaby Mountain was among new home projects and communities taking the spotlight in an industry competition.
Home to 2,000 people currently and 10,000 eventually, UniverCity was judged the best entry in the “innovations in creating a livable and sustainable region” category.
Verdant, a new home project at UniverCity, was the recipient of two awards – in the “innovations … in more affordable housing” and the “innovations in more sustainable development” categories.
UniverCity is a Simon Fraser University undertaking.
Verdant is a Vancily Enterprises project.
The judges were all members of the local development fraternity, industry and government. The organizer of the competition is the local chapter of the Urban Development Institute.
The importance of the awards to local developers and builders was identified in a statement from Gordon Harris of SFU Community Trust:
…”With the kind of exposure we receive from awards such as this, more and more people will consider UniverCity’s spectacular views, and innovative sustainahility features when they are looking for a quality home in a great community.”
Another new community, Garrison Crossing in Chilliwack, was recognized as best “master-planned development.’ Randy Fasan of Canada Lands Co. thought the award a recognition of the “new urbanist and ‘Smart Growth’ principles” that have guided the company in its transformation of the formcr CFB Chilliwack into a residential neighbourhood.
Other award-wilmers include:
- The Melville, by Amaton, best ‘”mixed use.”
- Bowman Lofts, by the Salient Group, best “revitalization, renovation or heritage.”
- Pomaria, by the Qualex Landmark Group, best “residential highrise.”
- 1168 Richards, by the Townline Group, best “mid-rise.”
- Folio, by Intracorp, best “low-rise.”
- Bedford landing – Cedarmill, by ParkLane Homes, best “ground-oriented” single family.
- Somerset, by Leddingham McAllister, best “ground-oriented” multi-family,
- Towne by Mosaic, best “urban infill”
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