Commercial Real Estate
27.06.08Filed Under: Architecture, Vancouver, Real Estate, Business
Back in August I was approached by a local developer to expand WorkSpace into a building downtown. I looked extensively at the proposal, but ultimately turned it down. In the mean time though, I developed a good relationship with the company. They were still looking for a solution for the building, so I took on the job of project manager.
My objective was to take the 1950’s 5 storey building, which had gone through innumberable mickey mouse renovations over the years, and turn it into a series of big open contemporary spaces where people would want to work. The approach was to reveal the building’s slab structure, and frame it as a feature. I quickly hired David and Heather to develop a design for the units.
Over the last ten months, the building has undergone extensive interior demolition, code, and infrastructure upgrades. The waffle slab (ish) ceiling revealed itself to be rich in texture. The concrete and aggregate had oozed through the forming in places, leaving an almost creepy appearance in its original grey color.
We started spraying the ceiling white, and putting in new washrooms. B+H carried a half inch reveal around the door jams and between the ceiling and drywall. The floor was ground down and given a fresh epoxy coat andfinally the heater grills were replaced with a new MDF design that really gave the space character.
Right now the office portion of the building is nearly complete, with lobby and entry work pending. The designs that have been developed for those areas are truly striking, but they’re still in the approval process so I can’t say much. Except for that they’ll make a landmark out of a building that 10 months ago was falling apart.
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