Cressey Development Group has applied to the City of Vancouver for permission to develop a 24,775 SF site at the Northwest corner of Commercial Drive and East Pender Street in East Vancouver. The site is currently zoned MC-1, which allows a total combined mixed-use density up to 2.50 FSR and 4-storeys.

The site is actually located within the boundaries of the Grandview Woodland Community Plan which allows up to 6-storeys, but Cressey has elected to develop under the existing zoning, rather than rezoning. The site to the immediate North can be built up to 10-storeys per the Grandview Plan.

The development proposal for the site at 485 Commercial Drive is for a 4-storey mixed-use residential/commercial building containing:

• • 8,206 SF of retail space in two CRU units fronting Commercial Drive;
  • 3,226 SF of office space on the 2nd floor;
  • 10 rental units (4 studios, 4 one-bedrooms and 2 two-bedrooms)
  • 31 condo units (10 studios and 21 three-bedroom townhouse units)
  • a total density of 2.23 FSR;
  • an overall building height varying from 46.42 feet – 49.67 feet; and
  • one level of underground parking providing 61 parking spaces, having vehicular access from the lane.
  • 11,493 SF of gardens and decks.

The architect, Gair Williamson describes the application: “The proposed mixed-use development comprises residential, commercial and office units in forms of four discrete building blocks gathered around an internal courtyard. Bounded by two streets, a laneway and a part wall to the west, the development proposes distinct functions and facade treatments on each elevation. Back of house on the laneway serves parking and utilities; the Commercial Drive frontage is dedicated to commercial units, and the East Pender Street elevation accommodates two main lobby entrances for the residential and commercial components, as well as individual entries to the residential units at grade.

A key feature of the proposed development is the courtyard on the 2nd level. Not only does it host entrances to the residential units, but accomodates a safe, semi-private outdoor amenity for families, allowing functions such as communal gathering and playing.”

The application requires a variance to the maximum allowable height by just a few feet.

The full application can be viewed here (for a limited time only): http://development.vancouver.ca/pc485commerical/index.htm

A rezoning application has been submitted for a new rental apartment building on a 66′ lot on the South side of East Hastings Street in the Hastings Heights area of Vancouver. The site totals 6,762 SF and is currently zoned C-2C1.

The plan for the site at 3532 East Hastings Street is to rezone under Rental 100 for a 6-storey building, consisting of:

• • 34 secured market rental units;
  • 2,021 SF of retail space at grade;
  • a total density of 4.08 FSR;
  • a building height of 67 ft.; and
  • 1 level of underground car parking with 24 stalls.

This application is being considered under the Secured Market Rental Housing (Rental 100) Policy.

The architect for the project is Gair Williamson Architects.

The property last sold in June 2016 for $3,100,000 or $83 per buildable SF based on the rezoning application.

Larco has applied to the City of Vancouver to amend the rezoning for the Arbutus Village Shopping Centre site.

The overall rezoning for the 7-acre site was approved back in 2011, with the first two phases along Arbutus now having been fully approved and under construction. 

The new rezoning proposal would increase the overall residential floor area for the remaining phases on the Western portion of the site (Blocks C and D), including an increase in the number of market and social housing units. The application cites the housing crisis which has worsened considerably since 2011, as well as the re-imagining of the Arbutus Greenway and Arbutus Corridor. 20% of the units are required to be social housing.

The specific amendments that affect the remaining project (Blocks C and D) include:

• A 113,519 SF increase in total density;
• A total of 240 units;
• An increase in building height on Block C to 197 ft
• An increase in building height of Block D to 236 ft.
• 2,700 SF expansion of planned Neighbourhood House (approx. 10,000 SF)

Blocks C & D also includes about 10,000 SF of retail space, as well as an adult day care, and strata rec centre.  The rezoning application proposes no change to the amount of commercial space, and includes an expanded Neighbourhood House referenced above.

A full rezoning application has been submitted for the 3.3 acre Jewish Community Centre and Louis Brier Homes property at 950 West 41st Avenue, just East of Oak Street.

The plan calls to amend the existing CD-1 zoning to allow a phased redevelopment of the property that became possible under the Oakridge Transit Centre Policy Statement adopted by the City in 2016 in order to facilitate the eventual redevelopment of the Oakridge Transit Centre site across the street. The Jewish Community Centre site is located directly across the street to the South and was also redesignated given it’s adjacency.

Details of the rezoning proposal include:

• A 9-storey replacement Jewish Community Centre, including:
  • recreation space, including pools and gyms;
  • ground level commercial space;
  • an Early Childhood Education Centre, including 104 private daycare spaces;
  • cultural arts, auditorium, and theatre space;
  • non-profit office space; and
  • a height of 121 ft..

• A 13-storey replacement Louis Brier Home and Hospital Seniors Care Facility, with:
  • senior assisted living, complex care and memory care beds; and
  • a height of 158 ft..

• A 24-storey rental apartment tower with:
  • 160 secured market rental units;
  • 64 studios, 40 one-bedrooms, 40 two-bedrooms and 16 three-bedrooms;
  • a height of 250 ft.

Underground parking, with 693 vehicle parking spaces and 250 bicycle parking spaces, is proposed. The application proposes a total density of 4.47 FSR.

The architect for the project is Acton Ostry Architects.

The full rezoning application can be viewed here: http://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applications/950w41stave/index.htm 

A development application has been filed by Man 6 Holdings Inc., a project company made up of the partners of EKISTICS Architecture. The site is 6,039 SF, zoned I-1 and is located at the corner of West 6th Avenue and Manitoba. The proposed development concept is a new four-storey, mixed industrial and commercial building consisting of ground level Manufacturing use and Office uses on the 2nd to 4th floor. Details include:

• 12,078 SF of office space
• 6,040 SF of light industrial space
• a total density of 3.0 FSR;
• 64 ft. building height;
• two levels of underground parking with 19 spaces.

Ekistics describes the design rationale: “EKISTICS is currently located at 1925 Main Street. We are excited to be designing and building our own studio space within this neighbourhood. We have been actively searching for a new company home for the past four years. We managed to stretch our resources to purchase this land in order to keep our office close to where people live and in a desirable and exciting neighbourhood. We feel passionate about our city, and being part of making it a great place to live and work. Our goal is to redevelop the site to include one floor of light industrial use, and three floors of office use. EKISTICS will occupy 2 of the 3 office floor for its studio. Our intention is to lease the main and second floors to local businesses which will compliment our design work.”

Under the site’s existing I-1 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 Ekistics Architecture Inc.

The site was acquired in Mach 2017 for $5,000,000.