Here is a construction update on the second phase of Appia’s Solo District project in the Brentwood Area of Burnaby.

The first phase of the project included a tower branded ‘Stratus’, a 367-unit 45-storey tower which has just recently completed and which is substantially sold out. Burnaby’s first Whole Foods is an anchor of the retail component of the project.

The second phase of the project is ‘Altus’, a 48-storey tower at the corner of Lougheed and Willingdon that includes 284 condo units above 250,000 SF of office space on 12 floors. Pre-sales launched in 2013 and this phase of the project is also nearing sell-out.

photo courtesy mcminsen http://po.st/RDvsVU via @imageshack

photo courtesy mcminsen http://po.st/avE0BU via @imageshack

photo courtesy mcminsen http://po.st/ut93EP via @imageshack

A development application has been filed for a C-2 zoned site at 900 Kingsway, at St. Catherine’s Street, in East Vancouver. The plan, tentatively titled “Kensington Views”, is for a 4-storey building with:

• 19 condo units (6 one-bedrooms, 8 two-bedrooms and 5 three-bedrooms)
• 3,774 SF of retail space
• one level of underground parking
• a total density of 2.50 FSR

The architect for the project is Cornerstone Architecture.

Port Living is planning to replicate the success of their Midtown project with another project nearby. They have filed a development application for a C-2C zoned site at 630 East Broadway, near Carolina Street. The proposed plan, tentatively titled “Midtown 2”, includes:

• a 4-storey building
• 50 residential units (35 studios and 14 one-beds)
• a density of 3.0 FSR
• 2 ground floor retail units
• 2 levels of underground parking

The architect is Studio B Architects.

A couple of rezoning applications make their way to public hearing next week. Public hearings are generally the last hurdle for proponents before formal enactment and development permits. Two projects going to council next week highlight some minor changes to previously proposed projects:

988 West Broadway

This 10-storey office tower project was originally approved way back in 2011, and finally went forward in 2015. The project, by BlueSky Properties, was rezoned under the Metro Core plan to allow a 5.22 FSR density, and site clearing began in late 2015.

Changes: An amendment is being requested to suit the needs of a “prospective tenant”. The original plan had been to have a common area space on the top floor. The plan now calls for the common area space to be located on the 2nd floor, with the top floor being expanded for a tenant’s use.

• Density increase from 5.22 to 5.52 FSR (heritage density is being purchased + public art contribution)

Amended proposal with additional 10th floor space

1575 West Georgia

This Coal Harbour proposal by Bosa Properties was originally unveiled in 2014. The site is currently improved with a 3-storey office building, and a small city-owned surface parking lot.

The project is moving forward with only small revisions as a result of staff recommendations and public feedback, with a one-storey reduction in height, a reduction in the unit count from 184 units to 175 units, and a reduction in density from 10.83 to 10.59 FSR.

Height context perspective. Note concept tower heights for 1500 West Georgia (Bosa) and 1550 Alberni (Westbank) and 1400 Alberni (Wall). Concept tower heights are also included on Cardero at Georgia and Alberni corners.

A strip retail centre at Burrard Street and West 3rd Avenue in the Kitsilano area of Vancouver has sold for $15,000,000, which equates to $414 per buildable SF. The site is zoned C-3A and is 12,076 SF. Existing tenants in the property include Starbucks and Allwest Insurance. There is no information available at this time about any future redevelopment plans.