Exploring Vitarvis #5: Gahan
Bit of a summer hiatus, but even though I haven't been posting, I have still be working on Vitarvis. On today's tour, we're going to the Gahan neighbourhood on Vitarvis's far eastern edge, a place that is almost completely surrounded by water. The updated satellite map below identifies the location in relation to our previous stops.
Unlike Point Inglis, Augustein and Piedro, Gahan was never much of an independent entity. Its growth has been entirely the result of the success of Vitarvis. Gahan's seaside location proved to be attractive to suburban residential development and things really took off after the subway (Blue Line) was extended into the area. Over time, the low-density residential has slowly given way to some height and the neighbourhood is now very much an old suburb transitioning to inner city. Gahan is still though a largely low-rise district. In the picture below you can see all of Gahan including Coral Point, Warbler Pond, Gahan Beach and the Gahan Crossroads. The high-rises of Muriel Square and the waters of Lake Presario dominate the background with the Vitarvis skyline visible on the distant horizon. From down at street level in Gahan of course, you wouldn't see Vitarvis's towers.
First stop is Coral Point. This jagged bit of rock is named for the coral reef that is located just below the surface on the sheltered northern side of the point. The reef is a popular stop for snorkellers while the Point is a great place to walk catch a fantastic sunrise over the sea every morning. The number bus route terminates in the road circle on the point and connects all the way to Downtown.
Walking from the point, you can follow a path down to the seaside to enjoy the sand at Gahan Beach. Gahan Beach is Vitarvis's least popular beach because it's located at the bottom of a steep stoney hillside. Paths have been built to provide access, but it still means a long walk out at the end of the day. On the flipside, Gahan beach doesn't get the crowds of Vitarvis's other beaches, which means that it's popular with anyone who doesn't mind a little bit of a hike in exchange for a bit more space and solitude.
Here you can see the substantial engineering that had to occur to provide a second access route down to the beach. It was a tricky walkway to build and design because of the steep hillside. The project ended up being way bigger than the surface path that was originally envisioned and of course ended up way over budget. Still, it does the job without creating additional erosion problems.
Up the hill from the beach, Warbler Pond Park breaks up Gahan's street grid. Named after the large flocks of warblers that would gather in the trees on its shores, the park is much more urban now and the flock of warblers are greatly diminished. It's still a favourite promenade for locals though. Low-rise residential used to completely surround Warbler Pond, but high-rise development has shown up in recent years on the southern end along Merit Road and on the western end close to the Gahan Crossroads.
Strolling in Warbler Pond Park
Looking east over Warbler Pond towards Coral Point. The old McCormick Building has been recently refurbished into high end condos. The patio on the top offers a $1,000,000 view of the Pond and sea with units on the upper floors priced to match.
Two main roads meet in the centre of Gahan, Muriel Avenue and Balcom Street. Muriel Avenue takes you towards Muriel Square and, eventually, Downtown Vitarvis while Balcom Street is the only road that runs along the north side of Lake Presario to Tignus Hill. The intersection of Muriel and Balcom is known locally as the Gahan Crossroads and blocks around the Crossroads function as Gahan's commerical hub. The Crossroads is also a major transit hub, featuring the second last stop on the Blue Line Metro and two intersecting bus routes. When the Metro was built, several small heritage buildings on the corner had to be demolished leaving a blank wall behind on the surviving historic Lanekirk Building behind it. There has been talk of putting a mural on the Lanekirk Building's blank wall for years, but, so far, nothing has come of it.
The Crossroads from above. Note the stream of ambulances just past the intersectoin. For some reason, Gahan Hospital is a go to place for emergency services and the dispatch of ambulances is constant (not sure why Cities Skylines is picking this hospital so much but it is). A siren is a steady sound at the Crossroads.
Just down from the Crossroads on Balcom Street is Rosebloom Row, a stretch of rowhouses built into the side of the hill.
Rosebloom Row is overlooked by the twin Tobek Corporation Towers. Tobek Corporation is a real estate holding company and, in actuality, only occupies a few floors of Tower 1. The rest of the space is leased out to a variety of firms that want a convenient location, but not at Downtown Vitarvis prices. Before the Tobek office development, the rowhouses of Rosebloom use to extend all the way across the block.
Looking up Balcom Street. Muriel Square to the left (a future update), Lake Presario and Coral Point.
One final shot of the low-rise residential development that still characterizes much of Gahan. You can see the Tobek Towers to the left and the Crossroads at the top of the hill.
That's all for now. Hope you've enjoyed your visit to Vitarvis.
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