A decade after the Metropolis of Vancouver approved a plan to remove the twin viaducts serving the downtown core, a significant developer has unveiled plans that might see the plan transfer ahead.
Harmony Pacific, which owns the final main slice of undeveloped land alongside False Creek has revealed a proposal to construct 12 towers with 5,000 properties in what it’s calling “Harmony Touchdown.”
The Northeast False Creek website is at present residence to 2 parking tons that sit between the waterfront and the viaducts.
The land has sat stagnant because it was used for Expo 86, with occasional use for occasions reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil.
In April 2024, Harmony Pacific and the Metropolis of Vancouver inked a land settlement transferring three undeveloped websites within the space, with plans for the town to develop 670 reasonably priced leases, together with a firehall and youngster care facility.
Peter Webb, senior vice-president of growth for Harmony Pacific, stated the proposal is just like concepts floated in 2018 when Vancouver city council approved the Northeast False Creek Plan.
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“The one factor that’s modified actually is that on account of the view cones altering the character of how tall the buildings will be has modified in an effort to create provide,” he instructed World Information on Wednesday.
Vancouver metropolis council voted final summer time to amend its “view cone” policy, which limits constructing rights to protect mountain views, so as to permit for extra housing building.
Beneath the modifications, Harmony Pacific is now proposing towers of as much as 65 storeys, which might be the tallest within the metropolis.
The 2018 plan envisions the elimination of the viaducts, with Georgia Avenue reconfigured to attach on to a brand new main arterial alongside Pacific Boulevard.
That thoroughfare would feed automotive visitors out and in of downtown from the east, and would reduce between Andy Livingston Park and a proposed new 11-acre park, in response to the 2018 plan. Harmony Pacific stated Wednesday it was taking a look at a 14-acre park.
A park has been promised in that lot since 1990, a part of an settlement between the province, Metropolis of Vancouver and developer Harmony Pacific.
Lon LaClaire, Metropolis of Vancouver common supervisor of engineering, stated the viaducts have been constructed many years in the past to service a freeway that was by no means constructed and are at present an earthquake danger.
“They’re two-kilometre constructions which are very costly to keep up, and symbolize a danger hazard with out seismic upgrades, they usually go over just about nothing. No waterways, no railways,” he stated.
Town’s personal research, he added, have decided pulling them out will really enhance visitors circulate within the space by eradicating main bottlenecks and permitting drivers higher entry to native neighbourhoods.
That’s exhausting for folks to consider, however its as a result of the present viaducts don’t serve this neighbourhood in any respect. They fly proper over it,” he stated.
“The connectivity that gives each for the town at giant and for the neighbourhood, specifically, (is) vital, and it really reduces a whole lot of visitors that’s in any other case attempting to make a brief journey however has to make an extended journey to do it.”
Webb stated Harmony Pacific envisions “European-style” purchasing areas, impressed by the Italian fishing village of Portofino. The event would additionally embrace a marina, outlets and eating places at floor degree.
He stated Harmony Pacific goals to have a totally fleshed-out rezoning software full inside a 12 months.
At that time, the proposal would open to public suggestions and the town council course of.
If every part proceeds in response to the developer’s plan, it can nonetheless be years earlier than any main building will get underway.
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