St. Petersburg's new buildings and residential development

One of the few new buildings in the historic centre is an unfortunate design solution. The Canadian firm of Diamond and Schmitt took over from a local Russian architect to finish the new Mariinsky Theatre which is across a canal from the historic Mariinsky Opera House. Construction began in 2003 but didn't finish until ten years later due in part to technical difficulties connected with sub-soil problems. The new Mariinsky was predicted to become Saint Petersburg's equivalent of New York's Lincoln Centre. It cost a reported 500 million euros.

Another of the few new buildings I saw in the historic centre.

The St. Petersburg city centre is a marvelous UNESCO site and while there was a proposal for a massive 300 m high Gazprom tower, due to community objections it was subsequently rejected and relocated towards the suburbs. Very few other new buildings have been built. Indeed, they are generally not allowed; nor are additions and renovations that alter the exterior appearance of the existing buildings, which is resulting in very little upgrading.

Once you head away from the centre, there is a significant amount of new office and residential development. However, none of the new housing being built around the city that I saw will every become a UNESCO site.

A few Metro (subway) stops from my hotel was Krestovsky Island. Here I found some luxurious villas and boutique developments in what might be described as the 'nouveau riche' style.

I saw these villas set out in a gated community on Krestovsky Island. No one could tell me the price.

This new development is obviously catering to a more international market.

One example is the Diadema Club House, a 73 unit luxury development with units ranging from 125 to 470 sq.m. The prices are around $10,000 per sq m. which is comparable to luxury apartments in Vancouver. Parking spaces are an additional $60,000 each. This development features large, column free spaces that allow owners to customize their layouts, air conditioning, wood burning fireplaces, video surveillance, etc. There is also a large shared winter garden.

Four seven-storey towers on a single podium, podium, standing on the bank of the Central Nevka and occupies the entire block between the streets of solar, Vakulenchuka, MPs and Konstantinovsky prospect, - a new luxury residential complex Diadema Club House, built by the company "Credo-Invest". The appearance of the complex was created in the architectural bureau Zemtsov. High stylobate faced with black polished granite; residential towers at the corners, which on one side is completely glazed, and on the other - are decorated with dark gray slabs of natural stone; terraced completed the top floors - so looks LCD. The LCD of 73 apartments with an area from 125 to 470 square meters. meters. Spaces give up not only for finishing, but also with a free layout, giving residents full freedom in the process of organizing your home space. Apartments Upper floors feature real wood-burning fireplaces. All construction and finishing materials that were used in the construction of Diadema Club House, consistent with its status. The window openings are set, three-compartment glazed windows in wooden frames. Besides the usual utilities for apartments, this residential complex there is a central air conditioning system. The building is equipped with video surveillance systems, automatic fire detectors. The complex is heated by its own boiler. Organized concierge service and security. Yard area of ​​the complex is designed as a covered atrium, which split a winter garden, a children's playground. Under a glass-roofed atrium entire year maintained at 18 0 C. In addition to the winter garden, a café and a full fitness center. The complex is provided with its own indoor parking for 164 cars. At Krestovsky there are many restaurants, tennis courts and yacht clubs. That is a nursery school and regular schools there are not too good, so tenants Diadema Club House will have to apply for it on the Petrograd side. The metro station "Krestovsky Island" is very close - about half a kilometer. Road travel from the island, despite the presence of three bridges, always associated with certain difficulties.

Источник: https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&rurl=translate.google.ca&sl=ru&u=http://domananeve.ru/novostroyki/diadema-club-house-267&usg=ALkJrhhCTkA9QglUhrM4d40plHg1zTwJeQ

Four seven-storey towers on a single podium, podium, standing on the bank of the Central Nevka and occupies the entire block between the streets of solar, Vakulenchuka, MPs and Konstantinovsky prospect, - a new luxury residential complex Diadema Club House, built by the company "Credo-Invest". The appearance of the complex was created in the architectural bureau Zemtsov. High stylobate faced with black polished granite; residential towers at the corners, which on one side is completely glazed, and on the other - are decorated with dark gray slabs of natural stone; terraced completed the top floors - so looks LCD. The LCD of 73 apartments with an area from 125 to 470 square meters. meters. Spaces give up not only for finishing, but also with a free layout, giving residents full freedom in the process of organizing your home space. Apartments Upper floors feature real wood-burning fireplaces. All construction and finishing materials that were used in the construction of Diadema Club House, consistent with its status. The window openings are set, three-compartment glazed windows in wooden frames. Besides the usual utilities for apartments, this residential complex there is a central air conditioning system. The building is equipped with video surveillance systems, automatic fire detectors. The complex is heated by its own boiler. Organized concierge service and security. Yard area of ​​the complex is designed as a covered atrium, which split a winter garden, a children's playground. Under a glass-roofed atrium entire year maintained at 18 0 C. In addition to the winter garden, a café and a full fitness center. The complex is provided with its own indoor parking for 164 cars. At Krestovsky there are many restaurants, tennis courts and yacht clubs. That is a nursery school and regular schools there are not too good, so tenants Diadema Club House will have to apply for it on the Petrograd side. The metro station "Krestovsky Island" is very close - about half a kilometer. Road travel from the island, despite the presence of three bridges, always associated with certain difficulties.

Источник: https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&rurl=translate.google.ca&sl=ru&u=http://domananeve.ru/novostroyki/diadema-club-house-267&usg=ALkJrhhCTkA9QglUhrM4d40plHg1zTwJeQ

Above and below are photos of the development that I found on-line

One might say these new buildings have some of the memory of the older St. Petersburg Apartments. However, one difference is that the upper floors are more expensive, whereas in the original buildings, the top floors were less expensive....no elevators!

Another new apartment building in an architectural style trying to mimic the older buildings in the city centre. Note the elaborate brick patterning.

 

St. Petersburg: The Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood and St. Isaac's Cathedral

This marvelous Russian-style church was built on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in March 1881. It was built between 1883 and 1907 and was officially called the Resurrection of Christ Church (a.k.a. The Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood ). Both the interior and exterior of the church is decorated with incredibly detailed mosaics, designed and created by the most prominent Russian artists of the day
The church was closed for services in the 1930s, when the Bolsheviks went on an offensive against religion and destroyed churches all over the country. At one time it was used for storing potatoes. It remained closed and under restoration for over 30 years and was finally re-opened in 1997. It is one of the most impressive structures I have ever seen....both inside and out.

Another spectacular structure is St. Isaac's Cathedral, which was across the road from my hotel. You can climb to the top of the dome for a most fantastic view of the city. I was told that it is second only to the pyramids in terms of the amount of masonry required for its construction. (The front columns are each made of single pieces of red granite and weight 80 tonnes or 177,770 pounds each, which is remarkable when you consider that the city was built on a marsh. 25,000 piles were driven to support the structure.

It was designed by the French-born architect Auguste Montferrand to be the main church of the Russian Empire, and took 40 years (1818-1858) to complete. The cathedral can accommodate 14,000 worshipers; however it now serves as a museum and services are held only on significant ecclesiastical holidays. It looks wonderful at night!

St. Petersburg: one of the most beautiful cities in the world

St Isaacs Cathedral, a most impressive site, especially when it's across the street from your hotel.

For some reason, one sees the most incredible sunsets...this is what I saw as I arrived at my hotel around 7 in the evening (no filters....no photoshopping!)

Last week I spoke at a conference entitled “Cities and territories tomorrow: tools for positive change” in St. Petersburg Russia.The conference was organized under the umbrella of the Moscow Urban Forum in cooperation with KB Strelka and the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO, with the support of Russian federal and regional governments.

The aim of the conference was to accumulate and disseminate information about important urban projects, share international strategic planning experience, and, along with local governments and experts, find solutions for improving the quality of life in Russian cities.

I was invited to participate on two panels: one looking at how best to encourage the private sector to restore heritage properties; and another which looked at preparing a Master Plan for the city of St. Petersburg.

Some of you are no doubt confused as to why I, of all people, would be invited to travel half way around the world to talk about these topics. You are right to be confused!  However, I got to know some of the conference organizers last year when I served as an international juror for the competition to design a new International Financial Centre in Moscow   http://mfc-city.com/competition/#submitting. If you want to know why I was selected to take on this role, it's because I am lucky!

Nonetheless, I was able to spend a week in St. Petersburg, often referred to as "Venice of the North" with its UNESCO designated historic city centre http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/540/gallery/. I also travelled around the outskirts, which are not quite as beautiful, but interesting given the mix of old and new building types and streetscapes. Below, and in subsequent blog postings, are a few photos of some of the things I found most interesting.

A wonderful turn of the last century building on Nevsky Prospect, the city's main street

The Singer Sewing Machine Building, also on Nevsky Prospect

This unusual masonry structure is across the street from the magnificent Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

A portion of the Hermitage, perhaps the most impressive art gallery in the world

St. Petersburg does not have many Art Deco buildings, but this is one I sought out.

One of the best ways to view the city is from one of the many canals

Leaving the Hermitage complex

At night the city comes alive....most downtown buildings are floodlit like this!

My home away from home for six nights...across from St Isaac's Church

Jewish St. Petersburg Russia

Since it’s the second day of Rosh Hashonah, and I just returned from St Petersburg Russia, I thought I would post some pictures of Jewish St. Petersburg. While I don't know how many Jewish people there are in St. Petersburg today, I was told there are approximately a million spread across Russia. With a population of just over 5 million, I suspect there are a fair number, although not necessarily practicing.

 At one time there were 10 synagogues in the city, but today I was told there are just a few. You can find more information about the Jewish community here. http://en.jeps.ru/

I had occasion to visit two sites. The first was the Grand Choral Synagogue, the second largest synagogue in Europe. (The largest is in Budapest and is illustrated elsewhere on my blog.) It was built between 1880 and 1888, and was once called a "lavish, outlandish seductress."

Nearby within the secured grounds is a kosher store which sells some very garish (and very expensive) yarmulkas, a very nice kosher restaurant, and a reproduction of the wailing wall in Jerusalem.

Thanks to Michael Audain, I also discovered the "History and culture of the Jewish people on the territory of Russia” – an exhibition in The Russian Museum of Ethnography. The idea of this exhibition was announced by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon in 2003. The exhibition is considered to be the first step towards opening a separate museum of Jewish culture. 

It was interesting to see a map of the Jewish communities across Russia and various artifacts dating back to the 15th C as well as costumes worn by Jews in the various parts of the Soviet Union over the centuries. I looked for my relatives, but couldn't find them. I would have liked to have bought one of these Russia yarmulkas but they were not for sale!

Free rent for a year. Really!

I'm not eligible since I do consulting work for the company, but you might be!

Property Management Company Launches Free Rent Contest

Hollyburn Properties rewarding 1 year free rent for community service

Vancouver, B.C, September 10th, 2015— What would you do with free rent for a year? Hollyburn Properties, a national property management and development company, is seeking to reward one lucky person with free rent for a whole year in a premier one-bedroom Hollyburn apartment in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto or Ottawa. Celebrating 40 years of building rental communities across Canada, the family-run company actively supports a mission of community service and outreach. The Hollyburn Free Rent Contest is being launched to celebrate those individuals in Canada who are likewise dedicated to social impact through community involvement. 

 “The objective of the Free Rent Contest is to reward an individual who participates above and beyond in community service,” says Allan Wasel, Hollyburn General Manager. “We feel strongly that community values help foster healthy and sustainable living environments. Hollyburn supports a number of charity partnerships and sponsorship programs, and in doing so, seeks to positively impact every neighbourhood we are privileged to be a part of.”

The Hollyburn Free Rent Contest launches on September 15^th, with submissions open until October 31^st, 2015. Participants must describe how they, or someone they know, contribute to building their community.
Examples of community-building include volunteering, involvement in non-profit organizations, or participation in projects with positive social impacts. Entrants are encouraged to supplement their submission with pictures, videos, letters of reference or any additional documents that support their nomination. A judging panel will carefully select three top finalists, whose profiles will be publicly voted upon the week of November 9^th until November 30th to determine the recipient of free rent for a year. The prize-winner will be announced early December, 2015. For details and guidelines, watch the YouTube contest video, and visit the Hollyburn Free Rent Contest website: www.hollyburnfreerent.com.

Hollyburn Properties Ltd. is an innovative industry leader in the real estate investment and property management space with a specialization in multi-family housing. For 40 years, Hollyburn has been creating and re-designing purpose-built rental housing communities focusing on rehabilitating existing properties to the highest condo-quality while championing bold new standards in environmental and corporate social responsibility. With over 5000 rental units in 81 communities in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Ottawa, Hollyburn is dedicated to providing high-end rental apartments while maintaining a commitment to first-class service and professionalism.

 

Intersections Media: Creating opportunities for at-risk youth

                                     You're invited!

Note change in location. Now at new Intersections Studio Space at 52A Powell Street third floor

 

Welcome To Intersections Media

Intersections Media Opportunities for Youth Society (“Intersections)” is a non-profit charitable organization founded by the late William Vince (“Bill”), an Oscar-nominated Vancouver filmmaker and advocate for youth at risk. Our program offers an employability and life skills workshop and work experience opportunity to youth facing multiple barriers to employment. Bill’s life is our ongoing inspiration and our programming is his legacy. Through the unique and familiar medium of art and digital filmmaking as well as involvement in group-based projects, Intersections participants gain the experience and confidence for long-term attachment to the workforce. Bill believed in the potential of youth and the power of helping others help themselves.

Call For Participants! (Workshop Info)

Intersections Media Opportunities for Youth Society (in association with Service Canada and BladeRunners) is seeking participants (ages 19-28) for its 2015–2016 Workshops beginning in June. The Workshops are 11 weeks in length, running through Spring 2016. To learn more, please click here.  

Supporting Intersections: How You Can Help

There are many ways in which you or your organization can become involved with helping Intersections, including equipment or funding donations, and work experience placements. For more information, please click the following link:  How Can I Help?

Thank You To Our Supporters

Please click here to see our current list of generous program sponsors.

So why am I promoting this? Because my daughter Claire Geller works with the organization and I know first hand how it is helping at-risk youth become creative, productive people!

Opinion: City handling of Shaughnessy heritage is cause for concern Vancouver Courier September 1, 2015

Recently, I have had heritage conservation on my mind.

Many of my friends and colleagues are very concerned about the city’s proposal to designate Shaughnessy a Heritage Conservation Area.

A partner and I recently purchased a heritage property in West Vancouver that we hope to restore under a Heritage Revitalization Agreement.

This weekend, I am off to St. Petersburg to make a presentation at an event organized by the Moscow Urban Forum, on how Vancouver encourages property owners and the development community to conserve heritage properties.

 
While Vancouver is a young city, especially compared to St. Petersburg, in recent years our city planners have been trying to encourage retention of older properties, both to support sustainability, but also to enhance the character of the city.

In December 2013, Council approved The Heritage Action Plan which sets out a variety of policies and tools to conserve and “celebrate heritage resources”.

These tools include heritage designation which protects a single building or landscape “from unsympathetic alteration and loss of character or value” and Heritage Revitalization Agreements (HRA). 

Under HRAs, property owners and developers can receive density bonuses and density transfers in return for rehabilitation and legal protection of heritage buildings.

The city has also established Heritage Conservation Areas.  Within these areas, special regulations and design guidelines help preserve and protect the historic character, and ensure any new developments are compatible with this character.

Chinatown, Gastown, Yaletown and Shaughnessy have all been established as Heritage Conservation Areas (HCA).

Since Shaughnessy has already been designated a HCA, readers may wonder why some Shaughnessy residents have recently been very vocal in their criticism of the city. Their concern is that the city’s latest proposal would prevent the demolition of any pre-1940 house within the area known as First Shaughnessy. This is the neighbourhood bounded by West 16^th, Marpole, Wolfe and Richelieu Avenues to the north; King Edward to the south; the west lane of Oak Street to the east; and Arbutus to the west.

Second Shaughnessy, which extends to West 41^st Avenue, is not included. At least not yet.

Other neighbourhoods such as Dunbar and Kerrisdale are also excluded. However, many fear that First Shaughnessy could become a precedent for other neighbourhoods in which older character homes are being demolished.

One of the key questions related to any heritage designation is whether the city has an obligation to compensate property owners for the loss in value which is likely to ensue.  In the past, the city has generally been willing to compensate owners of heritage designated properties.  In addition to allowing the aforementioned density bonuses and transfers, it has also permitted owners to “bank” and “sell” extra density.

Unfortunately, as developer Robert Fung and others will tell you, this has not always worked, and some property owners have never received the financial benefits they were promised.

In the case of Shaughnessy, the city is offering residents the opportunity to subdivide certain heritage buildings or build coach houses and other infill buildings on lots over a minimum size. However, many either object to, or do not plan to take advantage of these offerings, since they want to live within a special neighbourhood with large single family homes set within substantial grounds.

Others claim the city’s conditions related to coach houses and infill dwellings are too restrictive to be of any benefit to them. I agree.

An overriding concern is that while many pre-1940 houses have significant architectural character, many do not. I agree with this too.

Furthermore, the city has not offered an appeal process which might allow the exclusion of properties in poor condition, or with no redeeming architectural value.

I share the city’s overall desire to enhance Shaughnessy as a Heritage Conservation Area. However, the city must offer more equitable compensation to those with smaller houses on smaller lots, and establish a reasonable appeal process. Something like the Agricultural Land Reserve appeal process could be put in place to allow exclusions over time.

While some property owners are convinced the city’s motive is to densify the neighbourhood, I disagree. Nor do I think this proposal will turn Shaughnessy into Kitsilano.

But to those who are convinced it will, I have a one word response. Move.

Twitter @michaelgeller