Two Marine Drive Tower Projects Seek Final Approval
Two large-scale tower projects on the same block on the North Shore’s Marine Drive go to their respective municipal councils for final approval next week. The first is a rezoning of the former Earls Tin Palace site in West Vancouver. The other project, branded Park West, goes to District of North Vancouver council for development permit approval.
303 Marine Drive
The formal rezoning application for the former Earls Tin Palace site at 303 Marine Drive in West Vancouver goes to council next week. The site is owned by Darwin Properties.
Darwin acquired the site in 2014 for $20,000,000. An initial rezoning application was filed back in 2015 but was delayed pending completion of the Marine Drive Local Area Plan which was finalized by council in 2017. The site borders the boundary with the District of North Vancouver, and sits close to another two tower proposal going to District for final approval next week called “Park West“.
The proposal for the site, which will be named “The Sentinel” is a 26-storey residential tower that includes:
- 133 total residential units
- 91 condo units on levels 9-26 (plus 4 townhouses);
- 42 rental units on levels 3-8;
- 20 one-bedrooms; 100 two-bedrooms & 13 three-bedrooms
- A total density of 3.25 FAR;
- 201 underground parking spaces;
- A cash CAC payment of $7,344,140.
The application describes the project: “This important ‘gateway’ site presents a unique opportunity to mark the eastern boundary of West Vancouver with a building that contributes to the public realm at the pedestrian scale, and also to the significant distant skyline view as the north shore is approached from the Lions Gate Bridge by car, bicycle or by foot. The existing use on the site is an aging restaurant building and surface parking lot whose tenant will soon be relocating to a new development in Ambleside. This proposed residential development will be architecturally distinctive, and will compliment – and contribute to – the community amenity and infrastructureinvestments planned for the area.
This development will employ a modern, sophisticated and timeless approach to design and material selection that will ensure that this building is distinctive and appropriate to the north shore, and West Vancouver in particular. Landscape treatments and public realm design will enhance the pedestrian and cyclist experience, while the sculpting and lighting of the top of the tower will punctuate distant views of the building.”
The architect for the project is Chris Dikeakos Architects Inc.
The full development application can be viewed here: https://westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/dwv/council-agendas/2018/apr/23/18apr23-6.pdf
1633 Capilano Road (Park West)
The Grouse Inn redevelopment seeks final development permit approval at District of North Vancouver council next week. The project, branded “Park West”, has been taking pre-registrations via it’s website.
The 2.6 acre site is is located at the north-west corner of Capilano Road and Marine Drive at the entrance to North Vancouver. The site includes a former vacant gas station site, and the existing Grouse Inn Hotel. It was originally rezoned back in 2014 for 280 units but has since been tweaked.
The project, by Pacific Gate Investments, includes two towers, one at 23-storeys and one at 19-storeys, and includes:
- 258 condo units;
- 94 one-bedrooms, 140 two-bedrooms, 24 three-bedrooms;
- a free standing restaurante
- a grocery store
- 10 small retail units;
- a total density of 2.50 FAR;
- 464 underground parking spaces on two levels;
- A community amenity contribution of $4,562,500.
The project is being promoted as a resort type project including a 4,800 SF outdoor pool and state of the art amenities.
The architect for this project is Rafii Architects.