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THE POST

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PROJECT VISION

The Main Post Office Building in downtown Vancouver is an iconic work of architecture standing in the middle of the city, in the midst of neighbourhoods undergoing dynamic transformation and growth.

Our vision for the building’s rehabilitation is to reimagine its identity as a gathering place for many downtown communities, with sustainable features attuned to the health of its occupants and the urban fabric that surrounds them.

PROJECT TIMELINE

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349 West Georgia Street

Location

21 West Georgia Street 22 Dunsmuir Street

Storeys

Quadreal & BentallGreenOak

Client

Size sf

FSR

Height Limit ft

EXISTING STREETSCAPE

In its current incarnation, the rigorous symmetry of the podium exemplifies the best and worst characteristics of mid 20th century International Style Architecture, contributing little to the vitality of the streetscape. This disconnection is reinforced by the building’s disconnection from grade.

We will preserve its iconic heritage aspects, connecting them to Vancouver’s streetscape and creating new public spaces infused with its history. In doing so, the update creates new retail, office, residential, and public spaces designed to adapt to the current and future city core.

West Georgia Street

West Georgia Street

West Georgia Street

West Georgia Street

West Georgia Street

West Georgia Street

West Georgia Street

West Georgia Street

PROPOSAL

The largest heritage rehabilitation in Vancouver history.

Sustainable, targeting LEED Gold for office core and shell.

New public open space fronting Georgia St, with spaces to sit and interact.

Improvements to all four street façades to create a dynamic streetscape.

High-quality job space close to transit, creating a critical mass.

The largest heritage rehabilitation in Vancouver history.

Sustainable, targeting LEED Gold for office core and shell.

Artboard-1_2-100

New public open space fronting Georgia St, with spaces to sit and interact.

Improvements to all four street façades to create a dynamic streetscape.

High-quality job space close to transit, creating a critical mass.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Main Post Office building is a steel-framed building, designed and constructed between 1953-58. It was a response to Vancouver’s new importance within a global network, requiring more efficient postal services. Designed by local firm McCarter Nairne & Partners in the International Style of architecture, its horizontal and vertical grid articulates its rectilinear volume, with sparse but high-quality embellishments. Featuring granite cladding at its base and concrete cladding above, it is punctuated by aluminum windows and terra cotta panels. Its original artworks include a carved granite bas-relief of a postman on its southwest corner and two interior murals.

The Main Post Office building was also significant as the largest building in the city and the largest welded steel frame structure in the world, with a floor area of nearly 688,890sf (64,000m2). Currently, the Main Post Office building is valued for its association with the modern development of Vancouver’s downtown core, its architectural features of the International Style, and its original artwork.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Main Post Office building is a steel-framed building, designed and constructed between 1953-58. It was a response to Vancouver’s new importance within a global network, requiring more efficient postal services. Designed by local firm McCarter Nairne & Partners in the International Style of architecture, its horizontal and vertical grid articulates its rectilinear volume, with sparse but high-quality embellishments. Featuring granite cladding at its base and concrete cladding above, it is punctuated by aluminum windows and terra cotta panels. Its original artworks include a carved granite bas-relief of a postman on its southwest corner and two interior murals.

The Main Post Office building was also significant as the largest building in the city and the largest welded steel frame structure in the world, with a floor area of nearly 688,890sf (64,000m2). Currently, the Main Post Office building is valued for its association with the modern development of Vancouver’s downtown core, its architectural features of the International Style, and its original artwork.

CHARACTER-DEFINING ELEMENTS

International Style design features, including grey granite columns; polished red granite elements; and concrete cladding on the upper floors
Original aluminum Crittall Windows
4.9m high, carved granite postman bas-relief by Paul Huba (1956) and cornerstone inscription (1955) on the southwest corner of the building
Paul Huba’s tile mural of a woman and child in the southeast corner of the postal hall
Elevator lobby at the Homer Street entrance featuring Orville Fisher’s large painted mural depicting early mail transportation methods in British Columbia
Two 5.8-meter aluminum arms of Canada cast by Pearson Iron Works set upon the gridded panels on the front façade
International Style design features, including grey granite columns; polished red granite elements; and concrete cladding on the upper floors
Original aluminum Crittall Windows
4.9m high, carved granite postman bas-relief by Paul Huba (1956) and cornerstone inscription (1955) on the southwest corner of the building
Paul Huba’s tile mural of a woman and child in the southeast corner of the postal hall
Elevator lobby at the Homer Street entrance featuring Orville Fisher’s large painted mural depicting early mail transportation methods in British Columbia
Two 5.8-meter aluminum arms of Canada cast by Pearson Iron Works set upon the gridded panels on the front façade

ANALYSIS

CONTEXT PLAN
CONTEXT AERIAL
LAND USE
BUSINESS DISTRICT EXTENSION
OPEN SPACE
PARKS
MASS TRANSIT CIRCULATION
PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION
BICYCLE CIRCULATION
TRAFFIC PATTERNS
DEVELOPMENT TRENDS
VIEWS TO SITE
The site occupies an entire city block in Crosstown, bridging between the Downtown, Gastown, False Creek North, and Yaletown neighborhoods. It is bounded by W. Georgia St., Dunsmuir St., Hamilton St., and Homer St.
Commercial buildings, significant open space, and a concentration of cultural and educational institutions surround the site. Its location between the Downtown Core, Yaletown, Gastown/Chinatown, and False Creek presents an opportunity to connect the neighborhoods that surround it.
The main office core of the city is to the west, while the residential foci are to the east (False Creek) and south (Yaletown) with new residential use planned around the stadia. The site is within four blocks of the two major downtown retail arteries of Robson Street and Pacific Centre, with hotels clustered in the downtown core towards the waterfront.
With development pressure pushing east, the former Main Post Office building sits in an area of developing workspace activity. Currently, the Central Business District is typically zoned for 9-11 FSR developments, with the CBD shoulder around 7 FSR. The site sits in the middle of its extension.
There are 12 public open spaces within a one-block radius of the site, with notable landmark spaces such as Cathedral Square, Victory Square, and Library Square nearby.
There are approximately 18 acres of park space within a 10-minute walk or 5-minute bicycle ride of the site, including the future Creekside Park expansion along False Creek.
The site is well served by transit with two SkyTrain stations within short walking distance and bus amenities on all four fronting streets.
While Dunsmuir St is currently a major artery into the city, few pedestrians use Dunsmuir St. The decline in pedestrian traffic reflects the reduced intensity of retail on Georgia to the east.
Dunsmuir St is a major cycle artery into the city, passing directly to the north of the site. Other nearby bicycle routes include the bike lanes on Pender St and Richards St.
W Georgia St represents the “ceremonial entry approach” to Vancouver’s downtown from the east, resulting in constant vehicle traffic. Removal of the Dunsmuir viaduct will likely have an impact on traffic patterns around the site in the future.
The former Main Post Office site acts as both catalyst and intersection point for expanding development trends in multiple downtown neighborhoods. The major development pressure is from Downtown (west), where zoning allows for up to 11 FSR. Secondary development trends come from Chinatown/Gastown (north), Yaletown (south), and False Creek (east).
The site is highly visible within the local urban landscape, due to the low-level institutional uses to the east of the site, the setback on W Georgia St, and open spaces on Dunsmuir St.
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Context plan

The site occupies an entire city block in Crosstown, bridging between the Downtown, Gastown, False Creek North, and Yaletown neighborhoods. It is bounded by W. Georgia St., Dunsmuir St., Hamilton St., and Homer St.

context aerial

Commercial buildings, significant open space, and a concentration of cultural and educational institutions surround the site. Its location between the Downtown Core, Yaletown, Gastown/Chinatown, and False Creek presents an opportunity to connect the neighborhoods that surround it.

Land use

The main office core of the city is to the west, while the residential foci are to the east (False Creek) and south (Yaletown) with new residential use planned around the stadia. The site is within four blocks of the two major downtown retail arteries of Robson Street and Pacific Centre, with hotels clustered in the downtown core towards the waterfront.

Business District Extension

With development pressure pushing east, the former Main Post Office building sits in an area of developing workspace activity. Currently, the Central Business District is typically zoned for 9-11 FSR developments, with the CBD shoulder around 7 FSR. The site sits in the middle of its extension.

Open Space

There are 12 public open spaces within a one-block radius of the site, with notable landmark spaces such as Cathedral Square, Victory Square, and Library Square nearby.

Parks

There are approximately 18 acres of park space within a 10-minute walk or 5-minute bicycle ride of the site, including the future Creekside Park expansion along False Creek.

Mass Transit Circulation

The site is well served by transit with two SkyTrain stations within short walking distance and bus amenities on all four fronting streets.

Pedestrian Circulation

While Dunsmuir St is currently a major artery into the city, few pedestrians use Dunsmuir St. The decline in pedestrian traffic reflects the reduced intensity of retail on Georgia to the east.

Bicycle Circulation

Dunsmuir St is a major cycle artery into the city, passing directly to the north of the site. Other nearby bicycle routes include the bike lanes on Pender St and Richards St.

Traffic Patterns

W Georgia St represents the “ceremonial entry approach” to Vancouver’s downtown from the east, resulting in constant vehicle traffic. Removal of the Dunsmuir viaduct will likely have an impact on traffic patterns around the site in the future.

View to site

The site is highly visible within the local urban landscape, due to the low-level institutional uses to the east of the site, the setback on W Georgia St, and open spaces on Dunsmuir St.

Development Trends

The former Main Post Office site acts as both catalyst and intersection point for expanding development trends in multiple downtown neighborhoods. The major development pressure is from Downtown (west), where zoning allows for up to 11 FSR. Secondary development trends come from Chinatown/Gastown (north), Yaletown (south), and False Creek (east).

DESIGN CONCEPT

URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Responding to the client and the City of Vancouver, our firm’s project team worked to establish a set of design principles for the project. These principles balance the cultural, environmental, and heritage considerations that connect all major aspects of the design with the urban environment that surrounds it.

REPAIR URBAN FABRIC

Repair void in existing neighborhood fabric.

ACTIVATE STREETSCAPE

Activate the streetscape with retail at the building face.

Public Open Space

Establish public open space on West Georgia Street.

Optimize South Face

Maximize activity at the south face and add connected outdoor space.

Activate Usable Public Realm

Create public space via a plaza connected to the Georgia St. sidewalk.

Heritage Relationship

Relate to and respect the heritage podium, while establishing an identity for new uses.

Sun Shadows

Consider sun penetration on-site and in its adjacent context.

Cartesian Grid

Respond to Cartesian nature of Heritage Structure.

Building Height

Consider height limits generated by view corridors crossing the site.

Street Identities

Establish a commercial identity at street levels, with a high street identity along Homer St.

URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Responding to the client and the City of Vancouver, our firm’s project team worked to establish a set of design principles for the project. These principles balance the cultural, environmental, and heritage considerations that connect all major aspects of the design with the urban environment that surrounds it.

REPAIR URBAN FABRIC

Repair void in existing neighborhood fabric.

ACTIVATE STREETSCAPE

Activate the streetscape with retail at the building face.

Public Open Space

Establish public open space on West Georgia Street.

Optimize South Face

Maximize activity at the south face and add connected outdoor space.

Activate Usable Public Realm

Create public space via a plaza connected to the Georgia St. sidewalk.

Heritage Relationship

Relate to and respect the heritage podium, while establishing an identity for new uses.

Sun Shadows

Consider sun penetration on-site and in its adjacent context.

Cartesian Grid

Respond to Cartesian nature of Heritage Structure.

Building Height

Consider height limits generated by view corridors crossing the site.

Street Identities

Establish a commercial identity at street levels, with a high street identity along Homer St.

Relationship to Surrounding Buildings

Maximize key vantage points via existing adjacencies to the surrounding buildings. The corners become an important expression in developing an urban identity.

CONTEXTUAL RESPONSE

Eastern Gateway to the City

With W Georgia St becoming a ceremonial approach into the city, the southeast corner of the building becomes a significant consideration.

Neighborhood Densification

Development in the area around the Post Office has been characterized by increasing density, with projects in the 7.7-17.8 FSR range.

CONTEXTUAL RESPONSE

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RELATIONSHIP TO SURROUNDING BUILDINGS

Maximize key vantage points via existing adjacencies to the surrounding buildings. The corners become an important expression in developing an urban identity.

NEIGHBORHOOD DENSIFICATION

Development in the area around the Post Office has been characterized by increasing density, with projects in the 7.7-17.8 FSR range.

EASTERN GATEWAY TO THE CITY

With W Georgia St becoming a ceremonial approach into the city, the southeast corner of the building becomes a significant consideration.

PODIUM REHABILITATION

Our proposal retains the heritage fabric of the podium while re-purposing the building to open access to the public on all four sides. These updates take advantage of the large floor plates, generous and regular structural grid, and tall floor heights.
PARKING LEVELS
GROUND FLOOR
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 4
LEVEL 5
LEVEL 6
LEVEL 7
1 The existing floor slab will be lowered to the top of the existing footings, with necessary structural upgrades to the columns and footings.

2 This will provide enough headroom to insert an entirely new parking level, doubling the amount of underground parking.

3 In the existing heritage structure, the lobby entrance on Georgia St. Is the only access at grade.

4 A lower trucking floor will be retained as commercial space for loading. Access to above and below-grade parking will be at this level off Hamilton St.

5 Small retail units and an office lobby on Dunsmuir St and Hamilton St will be created by building up the existing floor.

6 The existing lobby level will become accessible for office and restaurant space.

7 A “retail concourse” will be created with street-level connection along Homer St providing access to the upper and lower retail units.

8 An infill slab over the existing trucking floor will create accessible bicycle parking and necessary service areas.

9 The existing high platform of the trucking floor will become a retail level. The trucking floor will be build-up to create a continuous floor level.

10 The existing structure at the perimeter will be demolished to allow for the new levels at a grade below.

11 The existing level 3 floor will become a retail space.
12 The existing mezzanines level above level 3 will be extended to support additional parking with office space along the north and south ends.
13 The existing level 4 will become additional parking with office space along the north and south ends.
14 The existing mezzanines above level 4 will be extended to create a full-level office floor, with skylights above.
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Parking Levels

1 The existing floor slab will be lowered to the top of the existing footings, with necessary structural upgrades to the columns and footings.

2 This will provide enough headroom to insert an entirely new parking level, doubling the amount of underground parking.

Ground Floor

3 In the existing heritage structure, the lobby entrance on Georgia St. Is the only access at grade.

4 A lower trucking floor will be retained as commercial space for loading. Access to above and below-grade parking will be at this level off Hamilton St.

5 Small retail units and an office lobby on Dunsmuir St and Hamilton St will be created by building up the existing floor.

6 The existing lobby level will become accessible for office and restaurant space.

7 A “retail concourse” will be created with street-level connection along Homer St providing access to the upper and lower retail units.

8 An infill slab over the existing trucking floor will create accessible bicycle parking and necessary service areas.

Level 3

9 The existing high platform of the trucking floor will become a retail level. The trucking floor will be build-up to create a continuous floor level.

10 The existing structure at the perimeter will be demolished to allow for the new levels at a grade below.

Level 4

11 The existing level 3 floor will become a retail space.

Level 5

12 The existing mezzanines level above level 3 will be extended to support additional parking with office space along the north and south ends.

Level 6

13 The existing level 4 will become additional parking with office space along the north and south ends.

Level 7

14 The existing mezzanines above level 4 will be extended to create a full-level office floor, with skylights above.

PUBLIC REALM STRATEGY

HEART OF THE PRECINCT
AN URBAN ROOM
URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Movement
Animation
Public Identity
Permeable Edges
Prospect + Refuse
SIDEWALK CONTEXT
A LEGEND OF SOUTH FACING STEPS
This area, known as Crosstown, is home to commercial buildings, significant open space, and a concentration of cultural and educational institutions. Our design of the streetscapes surrounding the building seeks to integrate the project with other open spaces in the area and act as a conduit between Yaletown and Gastown.
Space is defined by the animated edges of the Post on Georgia, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and the proposed future Art Gallery. These three key sites create a distinct urban space, a south-facing “urban room” at the heart of the precinct.
The building’s new identity stands on a foundation of urban design principles that aim for meaningful interaction with the precinct: enhancing movement, animating street edges, reinforcing a clear public identity, and creating permeable edges around the full block. Sustainability objectives are a part of these design principles also, woven through the proposal and visible as highly identifiable green spaces.
The building’s new identity stands on a foundation of urban design principles that aim for meaningful interaction with the precinct: enhancing movement, animating street edges, reinforcing a clear public identity, and creating permeable edges around the full block. Sustainability objectives are a part of these design principles also, woven through the proposal and visible as highly identifiable green spaces.
The building’s new identity stands on a foundation of urban design principles that aim for meaningful interaction with the precinct: enhancing movement, animating street edges, reinforcing a clear public identity, and creating permeable edges around the full block. Sustainability objectives are a part of these design principles also, woven through the proposal and visible as highly identifiable green spaces.
The building’s new identity stands on a foundation of urban design principles that aim for meaningful interaction with the precinct: enhancing movement, animating street edges, reinforcing a clear public identity, and creating permeable edges around the full block. Sustainability objectives are a part of these design principles also, woven through the proposal and visible as highly identifiable green spaces.
The building’s new identity stands on a foundation of urban design principles that aim for meaningful interaction with the precinct: enhancing movement, animating street edges, reinforcing a clear public identity, and creating permeable edges around the full block. Sustainability objectives are a part of these design principles also, woven through the proposal and visible as highly identifiable green spaces.
The building’s new identity stands on a foundation of urban design principles that aim for meaningful interaction with the precinct: enhancing movement, animating street edges, reinforcing a clear public identity, and creating permeable edges around the full block. Sustainability objectives are a part of these design principles also, woven through the proposal and visible as highly identifiable green spaces.
The sidewalk treatment will be standard saw cut broom finish concrete in the Georgia St “square” pattern, conforming to Georgia St guidelines. As such, it will fit seamlessly into the adjacent blocks, with an equal or greater pedestrian width. A row of new street trees, consistent with the guidelines, will be aligned with the grid of the building and further reinforce the continuity of the streetscape.
Vancouver’s south-facing stairs are a rare but invaluable civic amenity. We worked from our experience of the stairs at the Vancouver Art Gallery and Vancouver Public Library, which are found filled with people on sunny days. The opportunity to provide another great stair for the city is central to the thinking of the new public space on W Georgia St.
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Heart of the Precinct

This area, known as Crosstown, is home to commercial buildings, significant open space, and a concentration of cultural and educational institutions. Our design of the streetscapes surrounding the building seeks to integrate the project with other open spaces in the area and act as a conduit between Yaletown and Gastown.

An urban room

Space is defined by the animated edges of the Post on Georgia, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and the proposed future Art Gallery. These three key sites create a distinct urban space, a south-facing “urban room” at the heart of the precinct.

Urban design Principles - Movement

The building’s new identity stands on a foundation of urban design principles that aim for meaningful interaction with the precinct: enhancing movement, animating street edges, reinforcing a clear public identity, and creating permeable edges around the full block. Sustainability objectives are a part of these design principles also, woven through the proposal and visible as highly identifiable green spaces.

Urban design Principles - Animation

The building’s new identity stands on a foundation of urban design principles that aim for meaningful interaction with the precinct: enhancing movement, animating street edges, reinforcing a clear public identity, and creating permeable edges around the full block. Sustainability objectives are a part of these design principles also, woven through the proposal and visible as highly identifiable green spaces.

Urban design Principles - Public Identity

The building’s new identity stands on a foundation of urban design principles that aim for meaningful interaction with the precinct: enhancing movement, animating street edges, reinforcing a clear public identity, and creating permeable edges around the full block. Sustainability objectives are a part of these design principles also, woven through the proposal and visible as highly identifiable green spaces.

Urban design Principles - Permeable Edges

The sidewalk treatment will be standard saw cut broom finish concrete in the Georgia St “square” pattern, conforming to Georgia St guidelines. As such, it will fit seamlessly into the adjacent blocks, with an equal or greater pedestrian width. A row of new street trees, consistent with the guidelines, will be aligned with the grid of the building and further reinforce the continuity of the streetscape.

Urban design Principles - Prospect + Refuse

The building’s new identity stands on a foundation of urban design principles that aim for meaningful interaction with the precinct: enhancing movement, animating street edges, reinforcing a clear public identity, and creating permeable edges around the full block. Sustainability objectives are a part of these design principles also, woven through the proposal and visible as highly identifiable green spaces.

Sidewalk context

The sidewalk treatment will be standard saw cut broom finish concrete in the Georgia St “square” pattern, conforming to Georgia St guidelines. As such, it will fit seamlessly into the adjacent blocks, with an equal or greater pedestrian width. A row of new street trees, consistent with the guidelines, will be aligned with the grid of the building and further reinforce the continuity of the streetscape.

A legend of south facing steps

Vancouver’s south-facing stairs are a rare but invaluable civic amenity. We worked from our experience of the stairs at the Vancouver Art Gallery and Vancouver Public Library, which are found filled with people on sunny days. The opportunity to provide another great stair for the city is central to the thinking of the new public space on W Georgia St.

Architectural Expressions

Architectural

Expressions

STREET FACES

West Georgia Street & Homer Street

The existing pink granite at grade along Homer St will be removed, and the retail concourse will extend the sidewalk inside the building, connecting to three levels of retail stores. The new plaza will offer Georgia St a new public identity, meeting the sidewalk and mediating the grade change to provide a direct connection to new restaurants and the office lobby.

Dunsmuir St + Hamilton St

Originally, the pink granite indicated back-of-house areas of the Main Post Office and created a barrier to the street. Select areas of pink granite have been retained on Hamilton St, remaining true to the material indicating back of house uses – in this case, parking access and mechanical spaces. The pink granite along Dunsmuir St is removed to create a more inviting pedestrian walkway. The corner expressions are anchored by lobby entrances, creating a rotational symmetry.
The office lobby is set back to create an arcade expression at the corner.
Garage-style overhead doors create a connection between the restaurants and plaza.
A new plaza with a public connection between Homer St and Hamilton St with benches and step seating.
Restaurant/cafe accessed at grade.
The existing structure of the Post Office expressed in the elevations by expressing the columns along the grade.
Existing canopies to remain.
New canopies reference the existing canopy geometry but are steel and glass, providing weather protection for pedestrians.
High canopies along Homer St maximize visual connectivity with the retail concourse.
Glass blade signs provide opportunities for branding with minimal intervention to the heritage element.
New glazing in the existing frames to support new retail and office uses behind as required.
Existing coat of arms to remain in-situ.
The office lobby is set back to create an arcade expression at the corner.
A contrasting canopy creates a sense of arrival at the office lobby off Dunsmuir St.
New canopies reference the existing canopy geometry but are steel and glass, providing weather protection for pedestrians.
The existing structure of the Post Office expressed in the elevations by expressing the columns along the grade.
Existing canopy to remain.
The postman bas relief will have a prominent new location at the corner of Hamilton and W Georgia St.
Glass blade signs offer opportunities for branding with minimal alteration of the heritage element.
New retail and office spaces look onto the street through new glazing in the existing frames.
The corner at Dunsmuir St and Homer St is set back to create an arcaded access to the retail concourse.
Mechanical louvers are integrated into the rhythm of the elevation, high up to minimize their visual impact.
The pink granite along Hamilton St has punched openings to integrate with the structural grid surrounding the building.

PUBLIC PLAZA

Active water features, plants, and extensive seating embellish a series of broad steps, traversing the grade differential toward Georgia St. at the front of the site. Dynamic lighting will be carefully integrated to express the site as an attractive and inviting new gateway into the city’s downtown, creating an atmosphere that encourages activity by both day and night.

Illuminated railings, water feature lighting, lighting integrated into the risers of the steps, and some feature lighting at the planter/bench at the corner of Georgia and Homer will enliven the space in the evening. Additional tree plantings, seating, and public art are woven into the design to further enrich the public realm.

A Entry Plaza

  • An accessible route to office and retail in the building
  • Landscape and seating elements

B Upper Plaza

  •  Indoor/outdoor restaurant terrace

C The Post ‘Steps’

  • A great public seating place overlooking Georgia St. Formal planting, water channels, integrated lighting

D Lower Plaza

  • Indoor/outdoor restaurant terrace

E West Georgia Street Sidewalk 19.5ft width

  • Follows Georgia St Design Guidelines

F Homer St., Hamilton St., and Dunsmuir St. Sidewalks

  • Standard city sidewalks with street trees

MASSING STRATEGY

The site is highly visible within the local urban landscape; in response, the massing will be compatible with existing concrete building, and observe height restrictions due to its proximity to surrounding buildings.
Spacing between buildings creates an internal courtyard.
Lift massing with a linking floor to emphasize contrast between old and new.
Sculpt massing to relate to surrounding context and allow sun penetration.
Introduce vertical elements to emphasize primary entry points at the corner.
Sculpt massing to establish a relationship with the heritage podium.
Green roofscapes create new shared spaces.

Spacing between buildings creates an internal courtyard.

Lift massing with a linking floor to emphasize contrast between old and new.

Sculpt massing to relate to surrounding context and allow sun penetration.

Introduce vertical elements to emphasize primary entry points at the corner.

Sculpt massing to establish a relationship with the heritage podium.

Green roofscapes create new shared spaces.

Architectural Expression

Heritage Response

The design responds to the heritage building with new, contrasting components that relate to it through articulation and pattern. Character defining heritage elements are celebrated—such as the existing aluminum crests, which will be left in-situ.

Compatible

The architectural expression of the base will inform the massing cues and material articulation of the new structures.

Distinguishable

The new elements are’ lifted’ above the base with a continuous setback at the podium roof, making them distinct from the exiting heritage structure.

Subordinate

A lighter expression of materials in the towers above maintains visual focus on the podium, and preserves the integrity of the heritage asset.
Compatible

The architectural expression of the base will inform the massing cues and material articulation of the new structures.

Distinguishable

The new elements are’ lifted’ above the base with a continuous setback at the podium roof, making them distinct from the exiting heritage structure.

Subordinate

A lighter expression of materials in the towers above maintains visual focus on the podium, and preserves the integrity of the heritage asset.

Material Articulation

Formal Clarity

The new building above will be predominately glazed, with distinct design features that respond to the orientation and relationship of the building to the podium.

Visual Sustainability

The project’s sustainable agenda is made visible with south and east facing sunshades, as well as visible planting.

Active Roofs

The rooftops of the podium and office buildings will feature urban agriculture, dog runs, and a courtyard that provides a shared space with views to the city and mountains.
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Formal Clarity
The new building above will be predominately glazed, with distinct design features that respond to the orientation and relationship of the building to the podium.
Visual Sustainability
The project’s sustainable agenda is made visible with south and east facing sunshades, as well as visible planting.
Active roofs
The rooftops of the podium and office buildings will feature urban agriculture, dog runs, and a courtyard that provides a shared space with views to the city and mountains.

Elevation Detail

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1

A grid expression bounded by an aluminum frame that echoes the podium, while deeper vertical mullions match heritage concrete mullions and establish verticality. Louvered sunshades extend along W Georgia, becoming a shallower solid shade on the Hamilton side.

2

Aluminum frames define a macro scale and echo the framing of the grid in the podium.

3

A frameless curtain wall creates a relief at the intersection of articulation in the massing.

4

Horizontal mullions define the massing towards the courtyard, and provide solar shading on the south face.

5

The atrium elements reference the solid panels in the podium base, providing a visual transition to the central courtyard and podium roof.

Overall Views

Corner of Homer St & West Georgia St
West towards Hamilton St and West Georgia St corner
South West towards Hamilton St
Aerial view of the building

Corner of Homer St & West Georgia St

South West towards Hamilton St

West towards Hamilton St and West Georgia St corner

Aerial view of the building

Overall Lighting Strategy

There are two guiding principles for the exterior lighting design:

Create a connection at night between the ground level, existing heritage podium, and the new towers above.

Gradiate the emphasis of lighting from the ground level pedestrian realm to the upper extent of the towers.

1 West Georgia St Plaza

The Georgia St plaza is a place where private and public merge. Illuminated railings, water feature lighting, lighting integrated into the risers of the steps, and some feature lighting at the planter/bench at the corner of Georgia and Homer will create a luminous space for pedestrians to stop at night.

2 Office Lobbies and Retail Concourse

The office lobbies will become beacons, with interior lightings such as a lighting feature wall or suspended fixtures. The retail concourse should be distinguished with a warmer color, reading as public and inviting from the outside at night.

LIGHTING DETAILS

8 Office Roof Decks

The rooftop lighting approach will employ a series of bollards, lighting columns, and column-mounted projectors that will share similarities with the light columns at the street level plaza. Complimentary lighting sconces and seating integrated lighting will bring additional vibrancy to the rooftop spaces.

7 Sports Amenity Deck

Lighting projectors mounted on architectural poles will accent the sports amenity space, illuminating its geometry. These projectors will be dimmable and dynamic, ensuring they can adjust in intensity and temperature to keep the space flexible.

3 Heritage Facade

The existing details of the heritage facade, including the Canada Post emblems and recessed terracotta tiles, are unique features that will be illuminated at night. The columns that surround the buildings will be grazed with light, either from surface projectors or sconces, to highlight the level 9 columns and vertical office facade.

4 New Towers

To compliment the vertical lighting on the lower levels, column lighting on the exposed tower columns carries up through the vertical expression of the columns on the tower faces.

5 Hamilton St Media Facade

The visibility of the Hamilton St facade, along with its proximity to the adjacent Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza, lends itself well to a media lighting display. Its location in the entertainment district makes it an excellent place for an interactive aspect as well.

6 Podium Roof Decks

While the podium roof decks are far removed from the street, they will connect to the general circulation with a variety of lighting techniques including railing lighting, landscape lighting and overhead mullion mounted projectors. They will also create interest in the roof decks, highlighting areas of activity.
1 West Georgia st plaza
The Georgia St plaza is a place where private and public merge. Illuminated railings, water feature lighting, lighting integrated into the risers of the steps, and some feature lighting at the planter/bench at the corner of Georgia and Homer will create a luminous space for pedestrians to stop at night.
2 Office Lobbies and Retail Concourse
The office lobbies will become beacons, with interior lightings such as a lighting feature wall or suspended fixtures. The retail concourse should be distinguished with a warmer color, reading as public and inviting from the outside at night.
3 Heritage Facade
The existing details of the heritage facade, including the Canada Post emblems and recessed terracotta tiles, are unique features that will be illuminated at night. The columns that surround the buildings will be grazed with light, either from surface projectors or sconces, to highlight the level 9 columns and vertical office facade.
4 New Towers
To compliment the vertical lighting on the lower levels, column lighting on the exposed tower columns carries up through the vertical expression of the columns on the tower faces.
5 Hamilton St Media Facade
The visibility of the Hamilton St facade, along with its proximity to the adjacent Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza, lends itself well to a media lighting display. Its location in the entertainment district makes it an excellent place for an interactive aspect as well.
6 Podium Roof Decks
While the podium roof decks are far removed from the street, they will connect to the general circulation with a variety of lighting techniques including railing lighting, landscape lighting and overhead mullion mounted projectors. They will also create interest in the roof decks, highlighting areas of activity.
7 Sports Amenity Deck
Lighting projectors mounted on architectural poles will accent the sports amenity space, illuminating its geometry. These projectors will be dimmable and dynamic, ensuring they can adjust in intensity and temperature to keep the space flexible.
8 Office Roof Decks
The rooftop lighting approach will employ a series of bollards, lighting columns, and column-mounted projectors that will share similarities with the light columns at the street level plaza. Complimentary lighting sconces and seating integrated lighting will bring additional vibrancy to the rooftop spaces.

Shadow Studies

Equinoxes | 10:00 PDT

Summer Solstice | 10:00 PDT

Equinoxes | 12:00 PDT

Summer Solstice | 12:00 PDT

Equinoxes | 14:00 PDT

Summer Solstice | 14:00 PDT

Equinoxes | 10:00 PDT

Summer Solstice | 10:00 PDT

Equinoxes | 12:00 PDT

Summer Solstice | 12:00 PDT

Equinoxes | 14:00 PDT

Summer Solstice | 14:00 PDT

Sustainability

Public Amenities

Downtown Workplace Environment

The mixed-use nature of The Post will enhance the downtown workplace environment with new amenities and experiences. Public transit, parks and open space, cultural and sporting facilities, shopping, and business services are all on-site or next door.

Public Benefits

PUBLIC ENTRANCE DESIGN

The transformation of the current parking lot facing Georgia St into a public plaza will continue a legacy of public stairs in Vancouver. Ample south-facing seating for the public, office users and restaurants or cafes offers new potential for an interactive community hub, with water features that soften the noise of nearby traffic.

Mix of Retail

An eclectic mix of restaurants, entertainment, cafes, and retail stores will benefit from the increased pedestrian animation and revitalize the street. Retail space on the site is designed to provide large format amenities alongside smaller ‘mom and pop’ type shops, to create a diverse mix of retailers.

Food Truck Provisions

Food trucks are a viable way to bring local, sustainable food to building occupants and to the surrounding community. The Post on Georgia will include dedicated food truck locations with electrical hookups, giving people from the building and the surrounding neighborhood to interact on the site.

Recycling Lounges

Recycling “lounges” will be explored in the development as part of a larger waste management agenda. These lounges will be well lit, clean, and accessible places that double as a place for people to store and access supplies for gardening or sports. Like laundry rooms, the lounges provide a space where people will be able to interact with one another and help bring a sense of community to the building.

Office Roof Decks

The roof decks will help forge a sense of community, allowing building residents to gather and interact. They will support a variety of uses including dog runs, social spaces, sports, urban agriculture, and large events.

Heritage Benefits

The preservation and adaptive re-use of a full block heritage asset totaling over 600,000sf (55741.8m2) constitutes the largest in Vancouver’s history, providing an unprecedented contribution to the heritage inventory. It will also be a catalyst for ongoing development and increase the viability of heritage assets within the historic Crosstown neighbourhood. The Heritage Conservation Plan for the development includes retention and rehabilitation of original artworks contained within the building as a public amenity.

Benefits of Local Procurement

The scale and mixed-use nature of this proposal will create local employment opportunities. Future office users, residents, and shoppers will increase the market for local goods and services. Thousands of new office jobs will be created in addition to building operations and commercial opportunities. Locally sourced materials and products will have priority as part of a wider sustainable materials agenda.

Sustainability Benefits

In addition to its heritage contribution, retention of the existing podium structure saves its embodied energy and reduces landfill use. The development aims to meet or exceed sustainability policies, with a commitment to a LEED gold certified office component.

Transportation

The site location is highly accessible by walking and transit, and according to “walkscore.com”, it achieves 99 for walking and 100 for transit.
The project provides optimum connectivity to pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit options. West Georgia and Homer Streets offer an immediate connection to over 10 different bus lines and two Skytrain lines within 800m of the site.
The location is also close to bicycle networks along Richard, Hornby, Dunsmuir, and Beatty Streets. This makes the location more attractive to residents, and gives it the potential to reduce traffic, promoting alternate modes of transportation.

Parking Innovation

Two levels of underground parking and two levels of above ground parking will provide 799 stalls, accessed off Hamilton Street. 10% of the parking stalls (80 stalls) will have electric vehicle charging. Office parking has the potential to be available for commercial use during the weekday evening and weekend periods, and can also provide an opportunity for overflow parking for events.

Loading

The parking access is combined with access to a central loading facility, planned to serve all the building uses, maximizing the opportunity for the sharing of loading spaces. A reduction in the City’s bylaw loading requirements is proposed through the support of a comprehensive loading management plan.

Bicycle Amenities

Support for bicycle infrastructure was a key consideration in the project, guiding the design team towards creative solutions to accommodate cyclists. Centrally located end of trip facilities will provide an amenity for employees in the building, with high-quality finishes and generous layouts to help encourage the use of nearby bicycle lanes.

Security, Separation + Accessibility

The project will have multiple users including high-tech tenants with specialized security concerns. As a result, spatial planning has required sensitivity and understanding of the importance of separation, access, and security. Separated designated areas for car and bicycle parking create flexibility in programming as tenant needs are developed.

An Automated Parking Structure for Bicycles

258 Class A bicycle parking spaces will be provided, 204 of which will be part of an innovative new automated bicycle storage system, accessed off Hamilton Street. The solution, previously implemented in Japan and Germany as an alternative to more traditional bicycle parking, uses an automated wheel-rail to retract the bicycle into the parking tower, which the user controls with an operating panel. The main advantage of the bicycle parking system is security against possible vandalism and theft at all times.

Level 01

Street Level – Hamilton St

1
Access to loading and underground parking off Hamilton St. The wider entrance minimizes the number of crossings to one location.
2
Access to parking on levels 5 and 6.
3
Automated bicycle storage, accessed off Hamilton St. The parking facility can accommodate 204 bicycle parking stalls.
4
Centralized loading facility. Altogether, 4 Class C, 10 Class B, and 18 Class A loading spaces will serve the development. 13 Class A loading bays for office deliveries will be on level 5.
5
Parking ramp down to below-grade parking.

Level 02

Street Level – Homer St

1
Access to Class A bicycle parking off Homer St.
2
Additional bicycle parking with a focus for employee use, located in secure rooms.
3
Bicycle workshop
4
End of trip facilities
5
Class B bicycle parking will be in secure, weather-protected areas with enhanced lighting and way-finding.
6
An automated bicycle storage system accessed off Hamilton St.

SUSTAINABILITY DESIGN

The Post on Georgia will be sustainably developed, incorporating a holistic approach to sustainable design with environmental strategies at both the building and the neighborhood scale. The office towers will target LEED Gold for core and shell certification, providing future tenants with a world-class, energy-efficient space.

Location and Transportation

The location encourages building occupants to use alternative transportation opportunities, reducing dependence on single-occupancy vehicles. Parking stalls will be fewer than the bylaw minimum, at around 1 parking stall for every 12 office employees in the building.

Sustainable Sites

New vegetation on site will be native and adaptive plants best suited to the long-term durability and aesthetic of the project. 47 new street-lining trees will be large deciduous trees spaced an average of 30’ apart, providing natural shade and habitats for local birds and insects. Best practices during construction will optimize air quality and minimize erosion in the surrounding area, and provide a clean and healthy building for future users.

Active Roofs

A series of green roofs will have a positive environmental effect due to their soft, cool, absorptive nature. Plants and soil slow, absorb, and filter rainwater—reducing both the velocity and quantity of runoff that enters the piped drain system. For the purposes of LEED certification, rooftop and hardscape finishes will be selected to reflect sunlight and limit the amount of heat absorbed from solar radiation. Irrigation throughout the project will be minimized with careful plant choice, as well as with drip irrigation, water sensors, and pressure regulating spray heads.

Urban Agriculture

The office roofs have opportunities for urban agriculture with planting beds integrated into the landscape design. This will foster social interaction, opportunities for composting programs, and encourage locally grown and sourced produce.

Water Use EfficiencyWater Use Efficiency

The project will maximize the availability of non-potable water, targeting a 40% reduction in potable water use. The team is investigating the potential collection of rainwater from the building’s roof spaces to be used in water closets and flush fixtures. Efficient cooling tower water systems aim to maximize the number of cooling cycles before water make-up is required, with recycled rainwater supplying make-up cycles where feasible. This approach reduces the whole building’s demand for municipally treated potable water and reduces the project’s runoff impact on the City of Vancouver’s storm sewers.

Building Envelope

A high-performance building envelope can reduce the heating and cooling loads of a building, meeting energy-saving LEED targets. The office building windows will have triple glazing with a low-E coating on the entire building, as well as passive shading measures to minimize the impact of solar heat gain. We are using a comprehensive energy model to ensure a cohesive system across both the office towers and throughout the existing heritage podium.

Passive Shading

Solar shades will provide passive shading on the main south-facing components of the building. Louvered sunshades on the W Georgia St elevation will provide protection during periods of the greatest potential for solar heat gain, and also can act as an alight shelf at other times. An extruded mullion profile will provide shading for the east face of the south office tower and the south-facing courtyard elevation of the north tower.

LEED GOLD CERTIFICATION

To support the project’s goal of LEED Gold certification, the project has an energy target of 10 Optimized Energy points. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems will use high-efficiency chillers and a four-pipe fan coil with heat recovery, so building occupants can enjoy better comfort and air quality. The development will also be compatible with the City of Vancouver’s DES connectivity guidelines if they should be enforced in the future.

Lighting

Sustainable lighting strategies throughout the building design include LED-based building lighting with continuously dimming perimeter control. Automated lighting controls will be applied to the building, including daylight sensors in common areas, and occupancy sensors in low occupancy areas.

Plumbing

The development will be targeting a 40% reduction in the use of potable water through the selection of low-flow plumbing fixtures. Common area faucets will include flow sensors to ensure the efficient use of water.

Flexible Planning

The deep interior spaces of the heritage podium will be used for parking; however, the expansive, flat nature of the structure leaves room for it to be adapted in the future as reliance on cars reduces. In the office towers, the floor plates are highly adaptable and flexible, with large clear spans that have the potential to adapt to future office planning trends.

Elevators

A destination dispatch system will be used to improve elevator efficiency, by grouping passengers for the same destinations into the same elevators. It’s an optimization technique used for multi-elevator installations, and reduces travel and waiting times while improving the efficiency and energy use of the elevators.

Building Materials

Low emitting materials will be mandated on this project. Where available, materials will be selected to provide industry-regulated ingredient declarations and identify the environmental impacts associated with each material. Where feasible, materials will be selected to have 3rd party verified certification like GreenScreen v1.2, Cradle to Cradle, or REACH. Recycled content and regionally sourced materials will be preferred, with materials that retain their high value in the recycling chain. Construction waste will be carefully managed with a waste management plan.

Indoor Environment

Air ventilation in the building will use Heat Recovery Ventilators, using outdoor air ventilation to reduce occupant exposure to indoor pollutants. Outdoor air ventilation will adhere to ASHRAE 62.1-2010. Indoor pollutants will be further managed by utilizing building entryway systems and MERV 13 filtration where feasible to minimize the introduction of exterior contaminants into the indoor space.

HERITAGE SUSTAINABILITY

HERITAGE ASSET

The Post on Georgia will be one of the largest heritage retention projects in Canada and the largest in Vancouver, totaling over 600,000sf (55741.8m2).

The energy saved is embodied in the existing concrete and steel, avoiding the energy costs and waste involved in demolition. The project will aim to reduce overall CO2 emissions, eutrophication, and the depletion of non-renewable energy resources.

Almost all of the existing structures will be adapted or reused, creating both a new and a familiar space that contributes to the community and the city.

A NEW ICON

For the past 61 years, The Post has stood as an iconic symbol of Vancouver’s architectural evolution. While its façade and artwork speak to Vancouver’s past, its state-of-the-art update will speak to Vancouver’s future. Vibrant new public and private spaces all wrapped up in a sustainable package will both echo and enhance the unique character of Vancouver’s downtown core.