Frances Bula header image 4

Cities look at ways to stimulate (affordable) housing construction

February 6th, 2009 · 6 Comments

I have a story in today’s Globe about what cities are trying to do to keep business, especially development, going in their neighbourhoods. Surrey’s efforts are just kicking off so not a lot of details yet, but there’s a LOT of talk in Vancouver these days about what the Vision council could do to thaw [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: Developer World

An intermission in Seattle: Obama politics, job losses and Bob Rennie

January 24th, 2009 · 15 Comments

Sorry to disappoint those of you who thought I’d gone dark because I was in the midst of a deep investigation. Instead, all I’ve done is escape to Seattle for a couple of days — always a great way to get a new take on cities, people, art and the economy. It’s been great to eavesdrop [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Who ARE these second-home people in Vancouver? Find out here

December 5th, 2008 · 7 Comments

Someone sent me a link to this New York Times article extolling the virtues of Vancouver as a second-home base for non-Canadians. Hmm, I guess the world economy isn’t dead yet. And how nice to see this early indication of the Olympics sell.

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

The hard times of a developer, from the inside

November 14th, 2008 · 8 Comments

I have this story in today’s Globe and Mail about Tony Pappajohn, a local guy, who has been caught in the economic downdraft and credit squeeze. That’s put in jeopardy the beautifully designed new tower he was building on Hastings Street, a sad chapter for a family that’s part of the history of Vancouver.

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Arthur Erickson — architect or not? You decide

August 16th, 2008 · 2 Comments

I have a story in Saturday’s Globe and Mail about the current scuffle going on between Arthur Erickson, Vancouver’s and Canada’s best-known architect, and the Architectural Institute of B.C. over what kind of work Arthur is actually doing on recent buildings he’s been associated with. I discovered after I wrote this that it also affects [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: Developer World