lululemon has submitted their formal rezoning application for their proposed new headquarters on Great Northern Way in the False Creek Flats. The company currently has four offices around the City, including the existing Cornwall Street building, and these will be consolidated. It is expected that the new building will accommodate about 4,000 people.

The plan for the new development at 1980 Foley Street was made public back in the Spring when the rezoning proposal was referenced in a City of Vancouver Policy Report.

The site is currently CD-1 (402) (Comprehensive Development) District as part of a 1999 rezoning of the Great Northern Way Campus lands. The current zoning only allows a building up to 120 feet, and so the rezoning is required to allow greater height and density. The site also falls under the False Creek Flats Plan area, which allows employment uses for the site.

The formal proposal is for a 13-storey office building (or “Store Support Centre”), to with ground-floor retail and cafe/restaurant use. The proposal includes:

• 511,448 SF of office space;
• 6,157 SF of retail space;
• 4,358 SF of cafe/restaurant space;
• a total density of 4.56 FSR;
• 64,536 SF of amenity area;
• A building height of 214.2 feet;
• Landscaped terraces at levels 4, 7, and 13 offer outdoor social spaces
• 840 parking stalls on five underground parking levels.

The application describes the design rationale: ” lululmeon’s love for design and attention to detail will be exemplified through a new, state-of-the-art destination facility in the community. The design of the building is organized around a central atrium space that will bring daylight and connectivity to the heart of the building. The building is established with a six-storey podium that reflects the scale of neighbouring properties and reinforces the streetscape. The upper levels are set back and creates an opportunity for landscape terraces that reflect Vancouver’s natural environment and China Creek Park. The building’s façade is carved into three main green spaces: a covered entry off Foley Street, a new public plaza along Great Northern Way, and a northwest corner enhanced with view of Downtown Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains. The public realm along Great Northern Way will be enhanced and activated with a new public plaza with opportunities for a café and outdoor seating, and lush planting along the eastern edge to reflect the legacy of China Creek. ”

This application is being considered under the False Creek Flats Plan.

The architect for the project is Morphosis Architects, in partnership with Francl Architecture.