Latest Office Proposal Demonstrates Trend for Smaller Sites
A rezoning application has been submitted for a 90 x 110 ft, C-3A zoned site at 521-525 West 8th Avenue, just west of Cambie Street (across from Whole Foods). The site is currently comprised of two single-storey retail buildings, one of which is now vacant.
The proposal calls for a nine-storey office building with retail, and includes:
- 60,300 SF of office space
- 2,000 SF of retail space
- Office floorplates ranging from 6,400 to 9,015 SF
- A total density 6.91;
- A building height of 111 ft.;
- 88 parking spaces on 3 1/2 underground levels; and
- 35 bicycle parking spaces
Typical Tower Floorplan
This application is being considered under the Metropolitan Core Jobs and Economy Land Use Plan. The “Metro Core” plan policy has been in place now for almost ten years. The primary purpose the plan was to facilitate rezoning for commercial development, either by restricting residential use, or by allowing greater density for office uses. The site falls within the “Broadway Corridor Choice-of-Use Areas” which allow for increased commercial density by virtue of proximity to transit.
The architect for the project is Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership.
This application is the latest in a recent trend of rezoning applications for office buildings on sites under 10,000 SF which traditionally would’ve been viewed as too small to accommodate larger floorplates and parking requirements.