Old tulip tree’s fate tied to development proposal in West End

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      The tulip tree that you see in the picture is exactly what Denis Bouvier sees from the kitchen window of his Jervis Street condo in Vancouver’s West End.

      It is considered the oldest surviving non-native tree planted in Vancouver. And it may also be the largest of its kind in Western Canada.

      But this tree could be gone soon.

      Developers of the property at 1245 Harwood Street, on which it stands, have proposed to city hall that this perhaps-a-century-old tree be cut down, and replaced with a new tulip tree.

      It’s not the first time that this tulip tree will be at the centre of the Harwood Street development issue.

      Last year, Bing Thom Architects submitted a condo tower proposal for the property. In exchange for preserving the tree and a heritage house at the property, the development would have received a bonus density equivalent to six storeys.

      Project architect Dan Du told the Straight in May 2010 that this extra density was included in the 18-storey condo proposal.

      Council rejected the deal in a June 10, 2010, meeting because there was no guarantee that the tulip tree will be protected. Although the tree is located at 1245 Harwood Street, 40 percent of its root system is on an adjacent property. The owner of this land would not guarantee to preserve the tree.

      Less than a year later, Bing Thom Architects has returned with another development application for the same property that now has a new address, 1241 Harwood Street.

      The architectural firm has proposed to rehabilitate the heritage house at the site, and build an 18-storey residential tower with two levels of underground parking.

      The existing tulip tree would be removed, and a new one put in.

      An open house regarding the development proposal will be held at the Cascadia Hotel (1234 Hornby Street) on Monday (January 17). The event starts at 4:30 p.m. A formal presentation of the project will be made at 6 p.m.

      Comments

      6 Comments

      Colin M

      Jan 11, 2011 at 4:46pm

      I like trees. I live in the West End. I don't want the tree cut down. But let's face it, to people from pretty much anywhere else in the world, this article would be completely ridiculous. I can imagine it appearing in "The Onion"

      David L.

      Jan 12, 2011 at 2:28am

      What utter BS, I too like trees, find another way , Bing Thom is not a bad Architect he has to find another way to build the building without removing the tree.
      I dont live anywhere near this area but I am appalled at how people seem to quite happily tear down buildings and trees for the "Great God Progress" without any thought for heritage and common sense.
      Thank you
      Dave

      Ani

      Jan 18, 2011 at 6:59pm

      Hi, I live right across from the tree and it become part of my live for the last 5 years and become to treasure it because of its beauty. I see it every day when I look out of my living room.
      I do not want to see this tree gone. There was a open house yesterday organized by the Developer and the City and at this point the tree is not part of the new development plans.
      What is difficult to understand is that the City of Vancouver has a goal which is to become the greenest city by 2020 http://www.talkgreentous.ca/index.php
      One of there challenges as they write on their web site reads as follows: "150,000 trees could require up to 200 acres of land. Finding suitable locations for these trees in parks, along streets, and on private property will require innovations and possibly changes to zoning"
      That's why it's so hard to believe and to understand how they can cut down a tree that is as old as the city of Vancouver and already existing. I hope that this beautiful tulip tree will get more voices. Once gone there is nothing we can do for it. Please lets try everything to save it.
      Thank you
      Ani

      Nelson100

      Jan 23, 2011 at 9:53am

      Astonishing that our "green" city council is letting developers cut down such an old famous tree in the heart of the city. What a bunch of hypocrites.

      falling

      Feb 10, 2011 at 7:18pm

      Being a man who has connections to this place, I know that the developer originally wanted to save the tree, the heritage house and build an 18 story high condo tower. The main thing blocking the entire thing was 1247 Harwood and its non-guarantee to protect the tree. The developer has privately never wanted to cut down the tree.

      Goat

      Feb 21, 2011 at 6:15pm

      After hearing the neighbour talk at an open house a month ago he said the reason why he wouldn't guarantee the protection of the tree was because the city would not guarantee that they would help him like they would help 1241 if he had to re-develop. They wanted him to give them a guarantee while getting no guarantees in return.Sounds reasonable to me. When you think about it the neighbour isn't the one threatening to take down the tree.