An interesting proposal has surfaced for a 33-foot lot on Commercial Drive at the corner of Napier Street. The site, which is improved with a 2-storey heritage commercial building built in 1908, is now being planned for heritage preservation with an infill apartment building at the rear lane.

Details of the proposal include:

• retaining the existing 2-storey Heritage B building (now occupied by Moja Coffee)
• a new 5-storey infill residential building with 8 rental apartment units at the rear of this site;
• a maximum height of 48.5 feet;
• a density of 2.70 FSR (10,108 SF);
• one-car share parking space having vehicular access from the lane;
• removal of one street tree on Napier Street.

Under the site’s existing C-2C1 zoning, the application is conditional and requires the approval of the planning department. For this project, relaxations would be required on building height and some setbacks. The application references incentives under the Rental 100 program.

View from Napier St – existing heritage building on the right

View from rear lane

The architect for the project is Cornerstone Architecture.

The property was listed for sale in 2013 and sold for $1,690,000, which equates to approx. $125 per buildable SF when the existing building is taken to account.

Bonnis Properties has acquired 929 Granville Street in deal for $38,250,000. The property, officially named the Wilson Block, but more widely recognized as the “Tom Lee Music” Building on the Granville Strip is a 5-storey heritage building originally built in 1927.

The 41,000 SF building sits on a 14,985 SF site just South of the prime retail area of Granville and Robson. It is on the heritage register as a “C”.

The building was taken over by Tom Lee in 1989 and the interior substantially redesigned for the music store and head office for the company.

Bogner Developments has applied to the City of Vancouver for permission to develop a 12,458 SF site on East Boulevard between West 46th and West 47th. The plans for the C-2 zoned site are for a five-storey building including:

• 21 residential units on the first through fifth floors;
• two commercial retail units on the first floor and mezzanine;
• 46 parking spaces in an underground garage;
• overall density of 3.08 FSR (38,357 SF);
• building height of 57.51 feet;
• retention and restoration of the façade of the existing 2-storey commercial building.

Existing Heritage Facade/Building

“In order to achieve the development that is proposed, City Council will be asked to consider a Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA), which would approve the form of development and vary the provisions of the Zoning and Development By-law in order to enable this development to proceed. This HRA, as well as the municipal designation of the existing heritage building, will secure the rehabilitation of this heritage resource, and assist in its long-term preservation.”

Rositch Hemphill is the architect for the project.

The site was acquired by Bogner in December 2013 for $5,318,756, or $139 per buildable SF based on the density in the application.

1424 West Broadway, more commonly known as the Joeys Broadway, has sold for $19,800,000 to the Value Group. The 15,265 SF C-3A zoned site was previously sold in 2014 for $14,300,000. Joeys lease expires in 2019, though there is no word on redevelopment plans for the property.

The property had been listed for sale by Colliers in late 2015, and received multiple offers. The adjacent property at 1448 West Broadway was also listed for sale.

Here is a construction update on an interesting infill project in Chinatown that was approved under the Rental 100 program in 2013. 245 East Georgia St. is a 9-storey apartment being built on a 25-foot lot. As described on Gair Williamson Architect’s website:

“The design is for 40 studio apartments ranging in size from 320 to 360 square feet and a commercial unit at the ground level. All units have floor to ceiling glazing with either juliet windows or a balcony, there is also a communal roof deck providing opportunities for urban agriculture.”

There will also be retail on the ground floor.

Photo courtesy mcminsen http://po.st/GUBcQ6 via @imageshack

Photo courtesy mcminsen http://po.st/etb2h9 via @imageshack

Photo courtesy mcminsen http://po.st/etb2h9 via @imageshack

http://www.gwarchitects.ca/245-east-georgia-street/q9o9orelcnkzsotggn08ksgz4aniul

The site was sold by Colliers in 2012 for $1,150,000.