After an initial inquiry earlier this year, a formal rezoning application has now been submitted for the 1.8 acre Super-8 Motel site at the corner of Fraser and SE Marine Drive in East Vancouver (formerly known as the Blue Boy Motor Hotel).

The proposed plan for 725-747 Southeast Marine Drive, owned by Serracan Properties, is to rezone the existing CD-1 zoning to a revised CD-1 to permit a mixed-use development with commercial, residential, and community uses, including public open space. The proposal includes:

• four buildings, including:
  • one 22-storey building;
  • one 12-storey building; and
  • two 5-storey buildings
• approximately 368 residential units;
• 15,500 SF of retail space at grade;
• a 37-space childcare facility (4,760 SF);
• public open space on site;
• a total density of 3.98 FSR;
• maximum building heights from 59 ft. to 207 ft; and
• 377 vehicle parking spaces.

The application is being considered under the Sunset Community Vision. Serracan and the City of Vancouver held numerous open houses and public feedback sessions with the local community as part of an exhaustive preliminary planning and pre-application process.

A development application has been submitted for a site at 379 East Broadway in East Vancouver, across from Kingsgate Mall. The plan is to develop the 8,677 SF, C-3A zoned site with a 5-storey mixed use building. The proposal includes the following

• 29 residential units (one and two bedrooms)
• 3,851 SF of retail on the ground floor;
• Total density of 3.27 FSR;
• Total floor area of 28,830 SF;
• 38 underground parking spaces accessed from the lane.

The architect, Ankenman Marchand, explains the design rationale: “The site is located in a neighbourhood with a large variety of older buildings in need of upgrade. These blocks need sensitive redevelopment that is going to re-establish a vital, pedestrian focused shopping area for the local community. We are following the City of Vancouver, Broadway East, revitalization strategy described in the Mount Pleasant Community Plan guidelines.”

I am pleased to announce the sale of 1484 Martin Street; a 2.5 acre parcel of land representing one of White Rock’s premier mixed-use development opportunities. The property sold for $22,000,000.

1484 Martin Street Brochure

Formwerks Architectural, on behalf of Marcon, has applied to redevelop a 3-lot land assembly on Granville Street for townhouse use. The 20,141 SF site is zoned RM-8N, one of the new zones in the Marpole Community Plan. The project, located between West 57th and West 58th Avenue, includes the following:

• two 2-storey and two 3-storey courtyard townhouse buildings
• a total of 17 units
• all 3-bedrooms ranging between 1,272 SF and 1,571 SF
• a total density of 1.12 FSR
• one level of underground parking containing 34 spaces

The application describes the massing of the project: “Courtyard townhomes are proposed with a 24’ courtyard. Massing is further stepped back at upper levels to allow more natural light into the courtyard. The proposed development also features underground parking with access off the rear lane. We are proposing a two storey with a partial third storey expression along Granville Street, and the third storey is more set back to suit a single-family expression.”

Here’s a quick look at the largest commercial real estate transactions that took place in Metro Vancouver for 2015.

1. Westin Bayshore ($270 MM)

The sale of the Westin Bayshore hotel in the Coal Harbour area of Downtown Vancouver was the largest deal in Vancouver in 2015. The 511-room hotel sits on a prime 2.4 hectare site, some of which can likely be redeveloped to include residential. The fact that the buyer was Concord Pacific came as little surprise in the marketplace; they are one of Vancouver’s largest and most well-capitalized development companies, and have an obvious history of transforming urban waterfront properties. It is only the 6th property in Vancouver to trade for over $200 Million, a benchmark will likely be surpassed by other deals in 2016 (see below).

2. Fairmont Hotel Vancouver ($180 MM)

Another hotel deal is near the top of the list. Larco’s acquisition of the historic Hotel Vancouver was one of the more talked about deals in 2015. The 556-room, 20-storey hotel was built in 1939 and occupies one corner of Vancouver’s (unofficial) centre-ice at West Georgia and Burrard Street. The building occupies 1.6 acres and generates a significant amount of its income from the prime retail on the Burrard and Georgia frontages.

3. Lougheed Village ($165 MM)

One of Vancouver’s largest deals in 2012 (at $80MM) turns out to also be one of the largest deals upon resale in 2015. As reported in BIV just a couple of weeks ago, Starlight Properties bought the large-scale apartment property for $165,000,000. “Lougheed Village has 528-suites in two 24-storey and two eight-storey concrete towers. The 7.3-acre parcel, close to the Burnaby-Coquitlam border and a SkyTrain station, also contains 50,000 square feet of retail space.“

4. Ackroyd Plaza ($102 MM)

In one of Vancouver’s largest retail deals of the year, Ackroyd Plaza, a 6.8 acre strip retail centre at Ackroyd Road and No. 3 Road in Richmond, has sold to a local investor. Major tenants include PriceSmart Foods, White Spot, Boston Pizza and a BC Liquor Store. The development potential was summarized back when the sale was first reported in September 2015.

5. 4750 Kingsway ($100 MM)

Concord Pacific’s makes the list again with their deal with Sears Canada, which was for multiple properties, but the Metrotown Sears property is the key strategic acquisition. Sears will lease back the property, but future development potential includes multiple commercial and residential towers.

Recent speculation surrounding possible sales of the Molson Brewery,  Royal Centre and the Bentall Centre indicate that 2016 could be a massive year for transaction volume in Vancouver. Stay tuned.