Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/178290
New York Times article once described Vancouver as "Manhattan with mountains" – and indeed, it seems that every week the city's skyline expands as new highrises are constructed in the downtown core. Vancouver's growing reputation for cosmopolitan living, stylish neighbourhoods and iconic developments means architects and planners are being held to new standards in designing landmark buildings that are cutting edge and contemporary, easily accessible and preserve each neighbourhood's unique history. Enter Richards, the latest vertical residence to grace the city's sophisticated Yaletown district. At irst look, the two buildings that comprise Richards exude a sleek, West Coast esthetic. Solid brick elements and glazing evoke Yaletown's former life as a warehouse district, while concrete, glass and metal materials update the look with clean lines and a minimalist vibe. But despite the buildings' seamless integration into the surrounding area, the foremost intention of owner/ developer Aquilini Development and Construction was to provide a central, accessible haven for residents. A longtime advocate of community development, the company's local portfolio includes East Vancouver's King Edward Village and upcoming False Creek residence The Maynards Block. Richards aptly embodies Aquilini's focus on community-oriented living spaces. "The Yaletown location is all about convenience," explains David Negrin, president of Aquilini Development and Construction. "Shops and services are at your doorstep. There's a daycare across the street, a dog park and playground half a block away, and the seawall is close by. Living at Richards means you can walk to work – and even come home for lunch." The property's prime location is made even more A LOCATION 1066 Richards Street Vancouver, B.C. OWNER/DEVELOPER/ GENERAL CONTRACTOR Aquilini Development and Construction ARCHITECT IBI/HB Architects INTERIOR DESIGNER B+H CHIL Design LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Eckford Tyacke + Associates ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Nemetz (S/A) & Associates Ltd. MECHANICAL CONSULTANT SRC Engineering Consultants STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT John Bryson & Partners TOTAL AREA 165,037 square feet CONSTRUCTION COST Undisclosed Richards p.78-79Richards.indd 79 Richards COURTESY IBI/HB ARCHITECTS by Sonu Purhar covetable by the scarcity of vacant building space in downtown Vancouver; in fact, Richards is one of the last available addresses in Yaletown. Planning for the development began in 2007 in consultation with IBI/HB Architects and B+H CHIL Design Group. IBI/ HB Architects provides architecture and urban design services, and has experience in mixed-use developments, resort projects, and health care and educational facilities. B+H CHIL Design Group is one of Canada's largest full-service interior design practices. "Our designs not only re lect who our clients are but where they want to go," says Paul Morissette, principal at B+H CHIL Design. "Richards offers a sophisticated and social lifestyle with multiple amenities and cultural in luences." Faced with height restrictions intended to preserve the area's view corridors, project architects planned Richards as two buildings sitting alongside each other instead of one taller tower. The team worked with local irm John Bryson & Partners, who have provided structural engineering services for almost every building and tower on the block. "We couldn't build high, so we decided to create a 19-storey brickand-glass tower next to a nine-storey podium," explains Sean Ruthen, architect with IBI/HB Architects. "Density that could have gone up now ills out the rest of the block." The result is a wall of street-facing, two-storey townhouses with ive storeys of one-bedroom units above. Though the development isn't intrusive – indeed, it appears fairly modest in size – the structure holds 226 units, all constrained to one-quarter of a city block. And it's a crowded block – in fact, the space is almost entirely built out with other developments, and navigating the forest of buildings often proved challenging to the construction and design teams. "It was dif icult staging materials as they were brought to the site," says Ruthen. "There was nowhere to keep them, at least until the parkade was inished." The number of towers also posed dif iculties in placing the two cranes located at each end of the site for the duration of the construction process – particularly since the airspace adjacent to the development was designated a no- ly zone. Space wasn't the only concern – the team was also mindful of preserving the site's historical attributes, including two heritage homes that once sat on the southeast corner. Instead of razing the homes, the team relocated and merged them into adjacent developments, using input from a local heritage architect. The homes were carefully restored and the interiors out itted with the same elegant design used in the other units, including stone countertops, European-style cabinetry and neutral base inishings. "The interior spaces are contemporary with a warm palette, creating a strong contrast with the busy, concrete city outside," says Andrea Lepik, project interior designer. That subtle elegance extends to the lobby, which features clusters of decorative light ixtures and a back wall crafted from warm walnut panels and textured tile. Landscaping was done by Eckford Tyacke + Associates. For Richards, the team used stone and brick paving to re lect the richness of the buildings' interiors. "We created a planted drive island to break the view across the street and incorporated stepped planters," says Daryl Tyacke, partner. "These are heavily treed, assuring privacy for the patios on the next level. In time, the podium face should disappear in a covering of green." But perhaps the most notable feature is the lush green roof, featuring two levels of common lawn space, a mini-orchard, wood deck and children's play area. "The view from the rooftop is stunning," says Ruthen. "You're looking out over this gorgeous panorama of the old Yaletown warehouses and the glass towers of False Creek. It's like a green sanctuary nine storeys above street level." Sales for Richards began in June 2009, when the world economy was in disarray. "At that time, other developers had shelved their downtown projects," says Negrin. "But we negotiated hard with our traders and suppliers, and were able to bring the project to market at a good price. We hit 70 per cent sales in the irst two weeks." Residents began moving in October 2011, and there are now only a few units left for sale. Richards is many things: stylish retreat, heritage project, success story. But above all, the residences offer that rare blend of tranquil space in the midst of the downtown buzz, with the city's entertainment district, public transportation hubs and patches of green oases just a stone's throw away. Perhaps the best way to describe the idyllic lifestyle offered by this unassuming development is its developers' tagline: "Richards is not just where you live, but how you live." ■ APRIL 2012 /79 3/26/12 2:56:55 PM