Belford Properties has submitted their development application for a full-city block in the Cambie Corridor Phase 3 townhouse area. The 45,989 SF site comprises seven RS-1 zoned lots on the South side of West 28th Avenue between Ash and Heather Streets.

The lots were previously rezoned to RM-8A and consolidated into one lot. The proposal for the block consists of:

• 62 units in stacked townhouse and rowhouse form;
  • 24 one-bedroom units, 10 two-bedrooms & 28 three-bedrooms;
• a density of 1.19 FSR;
• a proposed height of approximately 38 feet for front and approximately 28 feet for rear buildings; and
• one level of underground parking providing 63 parking spaces, having vehicular access from the lane.

The application describes the design rationale: ” The development consists of 9 blocks arranged around a courtyard the blocks are arranged such that none of the building widths exceed 27m. While the zoning guidelines would allow for building depths of up to 14.2m we have opted for wider units with decreased depth in order to maximize access to daylight and ventilation within the units as well as provide a more generous courtyard.

Section 2.6.3 of the zoning guidelines recommends a minimum courtyard width of 7.3m, and this proposal achieves a courtyard width which varies between 9.3m and 9.9m. The individual buildings are further broken down by individually rotating each townhouse by 3 degrees and by Design Approach allowing the ground floor level for each block to step down with the sloping site. This allows for a strong expression of distinct units which is further emphasized by the use of different shades of brick, and color elements at the entrance canopies.

All units are accessed either directly from the street, or have their main entrances at the courtyard via a private patio. The courtyard can be accessed by 3 entrances along West 28th, entrances at both Ash and Heather Street as well as a 2 connections via the lane.”

Under the proposed RM-8A zoning, the application is “conditional” so it may be permitted; however, it requires the decision of the Director of Planning.

The architect for the project is Simcic + Uhrich Architects.

The site was assembled in 2018 for $33,000,000 or $602 per buildable SF.

Austeville Properties has submitted their rezoning application for 450 West Georgia Street, a mostly vacant lot with two smaller buildings at West Georgia and Richards. The site is located between Deloitte Summit (400 West Georgia) and Telus Garden.

The proposal calls for a 23-storey office building with retail at grade. Details include:

• 374,068 sq. ft. of office space;
• 1,500 sq ft. of retail space;
• a building height 286 ft.;
• a total density of 15.65 FSR;
• 270 vehicle parking spaces and 236 bicycle spaces

This application is being considered under the Rezoning Policy for the Central Business District (CBD) and CBD Shoulder.

The architect is W.T. Leung Architects.

A rezoning application has been submitted for a 7,400 SF site at 3084 West 4th Avenue and 2010 Balaclava Street. The site is currently zoned RM-4 and the rezoning seeks to allow for the development of a 6 storey residential building that includes:

• 35 market rental units (with 20% of the residential floor area assigned to moderate income households)
  • 8 studios, 14 one-bedrooms & 13 two-bedrooms
• a total density of 2.95 FSR;
• a building height of 66 ft.); and
• 15 underground parking stalls and 54 bike spaces.

The application is being considered under the Moderate Income Rental Housing Pilot Program.

The architect for the project is Ekistics Architecture.

Below is a brief snapshot of current resale condo inventory and average asking prices for newer condos (ie. two years old or newer, including assignment sales).

This analysis excludes townhouse and condos and does not break down woodframe versus concrete (hence East Vancouver pricing appears below Burnaby and Maple Ridge/Poco/Pitt Meadows is lowest).

Of note, while pre-sales activity remains sluggish overall, resales inventory for newer condos remains very low in most submarkets.

Data source: MLS

Coromandel Properties has completed on the acquisition of two lots at West 57th Avenue and Laurel Street in the Cambie/Marpole area of Vancouver for $44,000,000. The two lots comprise 1.3 acres and add to a land assembly that now totals 1.97 acres.

The lots in question include a large vacant, treed lot on West 57th, as well as a single family lot fronting Laurel Street.

The lots are connected to the separately owned Salvation Army Homestead site which will be similarly redeveloped in the future as part of a different development with a shared roadway dedication linking Laurel Street and Oak Street.

The lots form part of a ‘Unique Site’ designation in the Cambie Corridor Plan, which will allow rezoning for:

“new development (that) will include low- and mid-rise buildings that provide an active residential street interface. New connections through the site and an enhanced public realm along 57th Avenue will integrate the site into the mixed use community.

…Allow a range of housing types, emphasizing low-rise apartments or townhouses on the southern portion of the site and lower mid-rise buildings internal to the site.”

It is also anticipated that the heritage house at 7255 Laurel Street will be preserved and possibly relocated on site as part of a rezoning proposal.

No rezoning application has yet been made public nor density figures announced.