Comments on: Post-mortem on the old Eaton’s building: an interview with Cesar Pelli

By: LB

LB — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 20:53:25 +0000

Oh, John, I agree what was there was far superior. I just don’t see the Nordstrom reno as any better; it seems even worse. But I do think examples of each decade should be kept – unless you can do better. And I don’t think Nordstrom is better. The Cesar Pelli buildings are worse that what was originally there, though. No doubt.

By: John Ormand

John Ormand — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 22:53:29 +0000

The whole Pacific Centre complex was an architectural disaster from the beginning … how one could lament the loss of what was a modern monstrosity and replaced by an equally bad monstrosity, is beyond me. When one compares the eyesores that occupy Granville and Georgia with the beautiful buildings that were there before, it is enough to make you cry. This is what we have lost.
http://oldcanada.tumblr.com/post/33955453676/vancouver-bc-1900-1925-hotel-vancouver
http://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/birks-building-southeast-corner-of-granville-street-and-west-georgia-street

By: Migs

Migs — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 14:05:47 +0000

Thanks LB. I pride myself on the command of the urinary. Well obviously urinary post architectural enhancements are conceived by some genius architecture enthusiat with deep pockets. Oooh the Urinale Biennale. Could be a Bodgers-Site Projects initiative?

By: LB

LB — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 02:57:36 +0000

In reply to Migs. Your command of the urinary is impressive, Migs. Perhaps Vancouver should start a developer-funded art biennale just called the Urinale. But yeah, the urinal top was not Pelli's fault. Not sure which genius thought that up.

By: Migs

Migs — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 02:46:19 +0000

Ha I thought the Eaton’s building was an ottoman a la Oldenburg. Now I can see the toilet reference. I would love to see a Rennie Condo Urinale. By the way sadly the Shangri La Vancouver is far less urritating than the Toronto La.

By: Cathy Barzo

Cathy Barzo — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 03:27:26 +0000

I never minded the Eaton’s building. It was interesting to learn about the original build, ie black tower and white cube. I first visited Vancouver in fall of 1978 and probably didn’t even realize that the top lip was added in 1980. I whole-heartedly agree about the over-use of glass. The white building had much more presence and definitely identifiable when looking for a landmark.

By: LB

LB — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 04:36:57 +0000

Another post defending the building: https://designkultur.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/retail-architecture-r-i-p-cesar-pellis-eatons-pacific-centre-1973-2012/

By: LB

LB — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 02:31:31 +0000

Some great twitter responses:
https://twitter.com/de_calage/status/572547101642661888
https://twitter.com/nlamontagne/status/572550191959560192

By: LB

LB — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 02:30:35 +0000

I would agree with all of that except that I think the “urinal” or “toilet” references were mostly based on the curved top lip (or toilet seat) added in 1980.

By: LB

LB — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 02:28:16 +0000

One comment on FB just now: “The urinal” is what some people called it, because of the tiles. It was, however, a functional and distinctive structure. Now it’s another big nothing; there is a sad symmetry where the former central library, previously given a similar character-less makeover, and the redone Eaton’s are bookends for the old courthouse and Robson Square.