Hotel Georgia Stories

While considering new development in the vicinity of Granville Street, we thought it would be worthwhile to check in on the latest news regarding the Hotel Georgia property (aka 801 West Georgia, aka 687 Howe).

Skyscraper fans in the city will no doubt recall architect Bing Thom's 57-storey (600 feet) Crystal Tower, which was initially proposed for the site (one of about seven locations in the city where a new building may rise above 450 feet).

After a series of starts and stops for the project (problems with City Council and the planning committee), the owner wound up selling the Hotel Georgia and the adjacent parking garage to Goodman Real Estate in September 2005.

Upon purchasing the property, the Seattle-based developer noted that the previous design was 'unworkable', but said that they would still build a highrise on the site, while at the same time preserving the Hotel Georgia as a heritage building.

Initial plans mentioned a 47 to 50 storey mixed-use tower, with construction set to begin by early 2007, depending on the building design and approval process. At present, however, the developer is not scheduled to meet with the Development Permit Board before the end of this year.

So, those are the facts; now it's time for the rumours. According to the murmurings we've heard, the new building will be 49 storeys (525 feet) tall, combining 8 floors of office space with mostly residential condos. As for the Hotel Georgia, it will become a boutique hotel, with W Hotels being the new manager (again, this is only a rumour).

And since this would potentially be Vancouver's third-tallest building (after the Shangri-La and 1133 West Georgia), it's been said that the architectural design will be iconic.

Looking forward to seeing the plans for this one.

Comments

[Homer Whittaker]

Giving the surging Canadian dollar wouldn't it be cost effective for the developers of the new 48 storey Hotel Georgia tower to consider adding maybe two more floors (up to an even 50)?? One would think that a couple extra floors would provide invaluable extra accommodation space (and investor revenues) going forward to the 2010 winter Olympic and beyond.