The Independent by Rize Alliance is currently in the excavation phase. The 21-storey, 258 unit project at Main and Kingsway in East Vancouver was approved in late 2014 after a four year process which entailed a lengthy rezoning application process, at times contentious within the local community, and several revisions to the project.

From a marketing perspective, the project appears to have done quite well. Sales were launched in February 2015, and the project was substantially sold out within a few months.

Photo credit: mcminsen http://po.st/Nqc5eo via @imageshack

Here’s the latest on a few projects at various stages of rezoning in the City of Burnaby:

• 2450 Alpha Avenue

An application was submitted last year for this 41,603 SF site in the Brentwood Town Centre area owned by Solterra. It is now moving toward public hearing next month. The plan calls for a 29-storey, 169 unit condo tower with ground oriented townhouses and below and above ground parking. It is currently zoned M-2, but is designated for high-density residential based on RM-4s. The total density is 3.6 FAR.

• 6050 Sussex Avenue

A preliminary rezoning application has been filed by Townline Homes for a triangular 30,237 SF site in Metrotown. The proposed rezoning is for a new residential highrise as well as a replacement of the existing Burnaby West United Church on site.

The maximum permitted density on the site would be 4.83 FAR.

• 6837-6875 Royal Oak Avenue

A preliminary application has been submitted for a site on the west side of Royal Oak Avenue south of Imperial Street. The site comprises two City-owned properties as well as a privately owned single family home. Under Sub-Area 7 of the Royal Oak Community Plan, the site can be rezoned under C9 Urban Village guidelines, which allows 2.2 FAR.

• Gold House (6280 Cassie Avenue)

This proposal by Rize Alliance for a 41-storey tower and 26-storey tower in Metrotown was give second reading and public hearing last summer, and has now met the prerequisite conditions imposed by the City of Burnaby. It will now move forward for final approval and should begin construction later this year. A registration site for the project is up already and says “Coming early 2015”

Rize Alliance‘s plan for two condo towers in Metrotown will take another step forward this month. “Gold House” is a 490-unit project consisting of a 41-storey tower and a 26-storey tower over a commercial and townhouse podium.

The 87,505 SF site is located at the corner of Beresford Street and McKay Avenue. The total proposed density is 6.3 FAR. The unit types are mostly studios and 2 bedrooms.

The project also includes 5,181 SF of retail on the ground floor, and 19,799 SF of office space on floors 2-5.