Firenze
Vancouver BC
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Firenze is located at the corner of Abbott and Keefer Streets in downtown Vancouver. Comprised of two towers and a mid-rise, the design complements the built forms of adjacent developments, while expressing its own architectural character, creating its own sense of place, within the International Village Neighbourhood. The buildings are intended to convey the concept of luxurious, yet affordable urban living.
The mid-rise structure strongly defines the street edge, expanding the existing retail along. At the lower levels both towers are visually tied into the mid-rise, extending the street edge to Expo Blvd and Andy Livingstone Park. The ground floor features retail spaces along Abbott Street and Keefer Place. The second floor accommodates visitor parking and parking for the future School, Daycare and Community Centre.
The north tower has an oval floor shape with its axis oriented to mirror its pair to the north. The oval tower shape features two asymmetrical balcony wings giving the tower a more dynamic character. In order to accommodate the required open or enclosed balcony in the tower units, the tower plate is about 5% larger than the suggested 6728 sq. ft. (625m2), including open and enclosed balconies.
The south tower, oriented to the downtown grid, has mainly a rectangular massing except for the curved elevation on the southeast side, facing the park. Two sub-penthouses and one penthouse floor step back from the main tower volume. A few of the vertical tower elements reach beyond the residential floor and help screen the mechanical penthouse and support two distinct wing shapes similar in character to the north tower.
The retail elevation has a ± 16 feet module giving the opportunity to accommodate several smaller retail functions. The retail corner at Abbott and Keefer features a double height retail space creating a special place on the corner, while the concave corner mirrors the plaza of International Village Mall to the north and invites visitors to enter. Continuous weather protection is provided along the retail on Keefer Place and Abbott Street. In order to emphasize this street corner, the volume rises above the penthouse level of the mid-rise and is finished with a special architectural roof shape. The roof of the mid-rise penthouse is finished with coloured gravel patterns to create interest looking from above. Roof access for maintenance is given through one of the mid-rise stairs.
Quick Facts
| Client: | Henderson Development (Canada) Ltd. |
| Status: | Ongoing |
| Storeys: | 6 storey mid-rise + retail Tower I: 31 storeys Tower II: 25 storeys |
| Units: | 457 |
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