We've said it before, and we'll say it again - using 'the French' in regular English conversation is more than a little pretentious. As a result, we're not all that supportive when developers use French names as a means of adding a little je ne sais quois to their projects.
But perhaps the worst part about the marketing for Atelier, is its vain attempt to put Vancouver (and even worse, Robson Street) on the same level as some of the world's great cities.
'Like Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, the Champs-Elysees in Paris or Fifth Avenue in New York, Vancouver's Robson Street is an address of fashion, glamour and excitement.'
Such absurd comparisons ring hollow, making it all the more apparent how far we really are from being a New York, London, or Paris.
As for the Atelier itself, it's actually a sharp-looking building, thanks to its interesting curves.
Its location isn't bad either, since it's kitty-corner to the main library, and not far from Vancouver's future cultural precinct.
Upon completion in 2009, the building will be 29 storeys tall, with 200 condo units. For more information and a couple extra photos, check out this article here (link to pdf).
Check out the neighborhood map on the Atelier site. Since they are located on Homer, they conveniently moved Emery Barnes Park to be between Homer and Richards on Davie, rather than between Richards and Seymour so it would look closer I suppose.
Posted by: Tom | Monday, March 19, 2007 at 09:47 AM
It wasn't just Vancouver; they also included Bloor St. in Toronto in that list. It's certainly fancier than Robson, but it's not exactly 'world class' as they'd say in T.O.
Posted by: Wrenkin | Monday, March 19, 2007 at 07:55 PM