Here is a quick look at Vancouver’s largest residential and mixed-use/residential projects that are either under construction or at the latter stages of planning and approvals. What is notable is that a large majority of the projects are transit-oreinted; if not built directly near a Skytrain station, then within a short walking distance of one. Planning efforts to densify around transit have been formalized in the Official Community Plans of cities such as Burnaby, Surrey and Richmond.
Now on to the list. Limited to developments of 400 units or greater, the list represents 34 projects totaling 39,647 units. Almost all of the projects are multi-phase buildouts of 2 to 10+ years. Telus Garden, Marine Gateway and 1400 Howe are the only projects being built in one go.
There are 10-15 other major projects in the works that aren’t yet at the stage of approvals or construction.
633 Main Street will be a 16-storey building at the Northwest corner of Main and E Georgia Street. Retail uses are located at grade, with the intention of providing small-scale retail along Main Street and Georgia Street in keeping with the type of retail prevalent in Chinatown. The retail space provided on Georgia Street adjacent to the rear lane is expected to animate the rear of the property across from the plaza space on the Chinatown Parkade site. The remainder of the building is residential uses. A total of 188 condo units are proposed. The total density as approved is 8.82 FSR. A CAC was offered as part of the rezoning in the amount of $1,237,725 as a cash payment.