Electric Avenue
938 Smithe Street, Vancouver
933 Hornby Street, Vancouver
| Electric Avenue | |
|---|---|
 Electric Avenue prime downtown apartment | |
| Building Information | |
| Developer | Bosa Development |
| Architect | Rafii Architects |
| Management Company | Crosby Property Management |
| Number of Units | 456 |
| Number of Floors | 23 |
| Year Built | 2005 |
| Construction Method | Concrete |
| Type of Roof | IRMA |
|
Loading map... | |
| 938 Smithe Street, Vancouver | |
| Distance to Public Transit | Less than one block |
| Region | Vancouver |
| Municipality | Vancouver |
| Zoning | CD-1(229) |
| Title of Land | Strata |
Contents |
Background
Electric Avenue sits right in the heart of downtown Vancouver's shopping and entertainment districts. It is sometimes referred to as Paramount Place because the Paramount Scotiabank Theatre with its nine screen cinema complex, sits below the eleventh floor of the 938 Smithe Street building. Also in the building is Earls, Starbucks, Tim Hortons, and more in the 22,000 square feet of retail space.[1]
During the 2010 Winter Olympics, Robson Square, only one block away was the centre of many events which created a very dynamic and electric atmosphere. Most condominium owners were excited and eager to participate while at the same time many residents grew weary of the constant busy nature of such an enormous celebration.
Location
This 'L' shaped building is located on the corner of Burrard and Smithe Streets and consists of 938 Smithe Street and 933 Hornby Street. It is just one block from Robson Street which is one of Vancouver's most popular shopping streets for both tourists and residents. Within one block of Electric Avenue is the current location for the Vancouver Art Gallery, Robson Square which houses a satellite UBC campus, the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel and the Vancouver Law Courts.
Burrard Street is actually the boundary between what we refer to as the West End and Downtown. Shops on Robson Street west of Burrard are considered to be in the West End and not Downtown.[2]
Construction
This is a typical Bosa build with solid dependable concrete construction in a well appointed yet affordable home (Vancouver standards). It is an interesting mix of high density, generous amenities, beautiful outdoor gardens and resting areas, bustling commercial activity, a very central location, practical layouts and good quality.[3]
Suites facing Hornby look onto the law courts. Above the seventh or eighth floors is a better view over the distinct glass roofs of the law courts and generally any suite at this height or above will get some view regardless if there is a building adjacent or not. Some of the suites on the other side of the building have a more pleasant view of the roof top gardens.
Layout and Features
Out of the 456 homes available, there are 69 studios, 241 one bedroom suites, 133 two bedroom suites and 13 penthouses fully serviced by five elevators. At the 933 Hornby entrance, the elevator goes from the ground floor lobby level to the 18th floor and at the 938 Smithe Street entrance the elevator goes from 11th floor to the 24th floor. The hallways on the 11th floor & above connect the two sections of the complex. Suites on the 11th floor open out to the beautiful roof top gardens on this level.
Roof gardens are also found on the 19th and 24th floors. The resting areas built into this project are welcome respite from the energy emanating from this busy hub.[4]
Within the building is an 18 seat screening room, billiards lounge, fully appointed gym, and two conference rooms.[5]
Floor Plans
Electric Avenue has one of the best two bedroom floor plans in Vancouver for two people sharing a suite. Each bedroom has its own balcony and bathroom. There is no shared wall between bedrooms offering the parties as much privacy as possible in a shared home.
Studio suite
A one bedroom layout
Two bedroom option
Great two bedroom floor plan for room mates
Amenities
The building has many attractive amenities including:
- Two modern lobby entrances
- Fitness center (gym)
- Eighteen seat screening room
- Rooftop gardens
- Meeting & party room (located in 933 Hornby building)
- Underground and visitor(pay) parking
- In suite laundry
- Live in caretaker
- Bike room
Well equipped gym
Spacious lounge with fireplace
Eighteen seat theatre
Peaceful rooftop garden
Bylaws
| Electric Avenue Bylaws | |
|---|---|
| Rentals | Yes minimum one month |
| Pets | Yes with restrictions |
| Age | No |
| Barbecues | Yes |
Two pets are allowed and rentals are allowed in the building with a one month minimum stay required.
Sustainability
Electric Avenue tapped into Central Heat Distribution's downtown natural gas powered heat delivery system designed to reduce the amount of pollution being created in the city. There are almost 200 buildings being powered by this source now in Vancouver.[6]
With a walk score of 100, approximately 50 different bus and rail routes available, and with new biking lanes in place, residents rarely need a vehicle for daily needs.[7]
Trivia
- Electric Avenue was built on the old parking lot for the B.C. Hydro building situated next door. The B.C. Hydro building was converted to modern condominiums in 1998 and renamed Electra. The buildings names are preserving some of the history of this block.
- Central Heat Distribution Ltd. (CHDL) is a private district heating company founded in 1968 by group of engineers with a desire to lower heating bills for buildings (no boilers to buy and maintain) and to reduce the amount of pollution being created to provide heat downtown.
- They provide heat to the Downtown Core including the Vancouver Public Library Central Branch, B.C. Place, GM Place, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and Pacific Centre. The main natural gas powered boiler provides heat to the Scotiabank Theatre and Electric Avenue apartments.[8]
- The nine-theatre, stadium-seating-style, Paramount Vancouver opened on April 22nd to a private screening with music group U2's Bono in attendance.[9]
- During the pre-sale phase, the show suite played Eddy Grant's 1982 hit song Electric Avenue on a loop - five hours per day. While the building shares the name with the song, ironically, the song is about the 1981 Brixton riots in the U.K., where more than 250 people were injured.
References
- ↑ Electric Avenue web site
- ↑ Wikipedia-Burrard Street
- ↑ Electric Avenue web site
- ↑ Les and Sonja
- ↑ BCCondos
- ↑ Central Heat Distribution
- ↑ Walk Score
- ↑ Wikipedia-Central Heat Distribution
- ↑ Emporis
Discussion Forum
blog comments powered by Disqus
Building Ratings
Ratings are submitted by users like you - Condopedia makes no guarantees or endorsements.
