711 Beach Avenue has been sold by Black Top Cabs for $6,500,000 to a private investor.The property is located at the corner of Beach Avenue and Howe Street in the Downtown South area.

The property is 8,399 sq ft, representing a price per sq ft of $774.

Simon Lim and David Taylor are pleased to have acted on behalf of the Vendor in the sale of 222-236 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C.

Comprising three 2-storey commercial buildings on a 15,974 sq ft site, the property represents an excellent redevelopment opportunity with holding income located just 2 blocks east of Cambie Street and the Canada Line.

The price was $7,500,000, representing $158 per buildable sq ft.

There has been significant land transaction activity in the Surrey City Centre area recently which led us to question where current concrete residential values are today, and where they are heading.

Recently, several highrise residential projects including Park Place and Ultra have been in pre-sales (Park Place is nearing completion, while Ultra is in the excavation stages). Several more tower projects are in various stages of planning and approval, with many developers taking a long-term view of the area and it’s growth potential.

New concrete residential highrise projects are typically averaging $380-400 per sq ft with a focus on price points that indicate value for both first-time buyers and investors.

An analysis of all concrete resales for buildings less than 10 years old suggests that concrete residential unit prices are moving up closer to new sales and the spread between new and old product is being reduced. A reduced spread is present in more mature markets such as Vancouver and Burnaby. The current average for resales is now over $350 per sq ft.

Source: MLS

The City of Vancouver held open houses June 9-12th to provide an update on planning work for the Plaza of Nations site. Topics on which the City is seeking feedback include the general form of development and land use, as well as the inclusion of sports centre (ice rink that could double as a Canucks training centre, and indoor sportscentre) and potential public benefits including a public plaza.

The current proposal by Canadian Metropolitan Properties is to provide:

• 1,405,000 sq. ft. of Residential Space (approximately 2,400 new residents)
• 352,000 sq. ft of Commercial Job Space (approximately 1,000 new workers)
• Dedicated public open space of 70,062 sq. ft. which includes a public events plaza of approximately 48,000 sq.ft., 10,613 sq. ft. of additional dedicated public space and semi public space of approximately 24,000 sq. ft.
• A Plaza Sports Centre, to be constructed in partnership with Aquilini Development as a Canucks training facility and sports science centre as well as a publicly accessible community space, including an ice rink, community meeting rooms and daycare centre.

City of Vancouver staff will now issue a report to Council that primarily deals with the Sports Centre proposal and civic plaza location.

Proposed sports centre

It is anticipated that a rezoning submission will be forthcoming in July 2011 with open houses in the Fall of 2011, and a public hearing in 2012.

Further information can be obtained here.

Source: City of Vancouver

Cressey’s new Southeast False Creek project, branded ‘Meccanica’, has been approved for rezoning. The site was previously zoned M-2 Industrial (formerly home to Busters Towing).

The project consists of 170 units in a 12-storey tower and 6-storey podium. Total density is 3.5 FSR. Unit sizes range from 540 to 970 sq ft.

Cressey is taking registrations and sales will launch soon.

This will add to other upcoming inventory in the immediate area including Bastion’s Opsal project, and Onni’s Central in addition to several projects at various stages of construction.

Source: City of Vancouver