vancouver-chinatown-project-pivots-from-condos-to-social-housing
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Vancouver Chinatown project pivots from condos to social housing

ByKenneth Chan

The Brickhouse development site on the southern edge of Vancouver’s historic Chinatown will be pivoting into a 100% social housing project for its residential uses, removing all of the previous strata market ownership condominium uses. This follows the property’s sale to the Hogan’s Alley Society last year. As previously reported by Daily Hive Urbanized in April 2024, Bonnis Properties sold their property at 796 Main Street and City’s 2021-approved development plans to Hogan’s Alley Society in November 2023, with the non-profit organization paying the developer $20 million. On the same day the deal was finalized, the federal government’s Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) provided Hogan’s Alley Society with a $25.2 million mortgage. The property is a 12,800 sq ft lot that is largely vacant but contains several small structures — the 1910-built two-storey building fronting Main Street, which contains the Brickhouse Late Night Bistro and Dive Bar, and a 1925-built single-storey building fronting Union Street, which previously housed the Jimi Hendrix shrine. Location of the approved design for 728-796 Main Street, in relation to the future developments on the city-owned blocks to the south, including Hogan’s Alley (right city block). (Studio One Architecture/Bonnis Properties) Brickhouse development site of 796 Main Street in Vancouver’s Chinatown. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive) Artistic rendering of the 2021-approved design for 728-796 Main Street, Vancouver. (Studio One Architecture/Bonnis Properties) This week, the City of Vancouver noted it had received an application to allow a change in residential tenure to 100% social housing. The building’s height will also increase slightly from 116 ft to 127 ft, which will enable more floor space — an increase in the floor area ratio (FAR) density from a floor area that is 6.79 times larger than the size of the lot to a density of 7.4 FAR. Other details on the revised project are not available at this time. This application, first submitted in June 2024, is being considered under the City’s Affordable Housing Policies. In February 2021, after a long delay, the previous makeup of Vancouver City Council approved Bonnis Properties’ rezoning application to redevelop 796 Main Street into an 11-storey building with 94 homes, including 75 strata market condominium homes and 19 social housing units, as well as over 6,000 sq ft of retail/restaurant uses. Artistic rendering of the 2021-approved design for 728-796 Main Street, Vancouver. (Studio One Architecture/Bonnis Properties) Brickhouse development site of 796 Main Street in Vancouver’s Chinatown. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

live-downtown-amidst-mountains-&-water-at-new-central-lonsdale-high-rise
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Live downtown amidst mountains & water at new Central Lonsdale high-rise

Bymichael

Calling prospective homeowners! One20 is a gorgeous high-rise development coming to Central Lonsdale in North Vancouver. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, looking to upgrade your living space or want to invest for the future, you don’t want to miss out on this unique high-rise living opportunity in the heart of all the urban energy that Central Lonsdale has to offer. Building the future As North Vancouver’s newest concrete high-rise building, One20 offers a rare and exciting opportunity to own one of the 164 contemporary residences. Steps away from the hustle and bustle of the neighbourhood, the building itself is nestled on a quiet one-way street, which means you get the best of both worlds — vibrant city living surrounded by every essential, with the comfort of a tucked-away home. Access the best of North Van Central Lonsdale is the urban center of North Vancouver and home to some of Metro Vancouver’s most popular eats and world-class cultural attractions. We’re talking cozy cafes like Brazza Gelato & Coffee, grocery gems like Persia Foods, and trendy restaurants perfect for meeting up with friends like Chop & Chew. If you have a taste for adventure, then you’re in luck — Central Lonsdale is the closest downtown to the great outdoors, with easy access to Cypress, Seymour, and Grouse Mountains. Mountain biking trails, family-friendly skiing, and an impressive range of outdoor activities are just steps away from your home at One20. Curated amenities & design Not only are convenient neighbourhood perks just around the corner, but residents will also have exclusive access to amenities right inside the building! Experience a curated collection of amenities designed for residents to gather and connect. The social lounge is complete with a spacious kitchen, dining room, and games area for hosting friends and family, and the open-air terrace is a beautiful way to dine al fresco (date night, anyone?). During the day, boost your productivity at the co-working lounge, then d e-stress while achieving your wellness goals at the fully-equipped fitness centre and infrared saunas. The stunning junior one- to three-bedroom homes at One20 are designed for modern life, with an open-concept design that balances livability and comfort, all while overlooking the sparkling water of Vancouver Harbour, breathtaking mountains, and the bright and bustling downtown cityscape. The customizable kitchens keep the chef in mind, featuring premium quartzite stone countertops and backsplashes, custom cabinetry and European appliances. Sales begin this Fall. Start envisioning your future at One20 and register for updates to ensure you don’t miss out on this coveted homeownership opportunity. Branded Content This content was created by Hive Labs in partnership with a sponsor.

asking-rent-in-vancouver-and-this-bc-city-grow-to-stupefying-levels
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Asking rent in Vancouver and this BC city grow to stupefying levels

Bymichael

Vancouver maintains its spot atop the rental leaderboard as the city with the highest average asking rent for a one-bedroom in Canada, while another BC city continues to challenge Vancouver for the top spot. Rentals.ca has released its latest rental report, which looks at average asking rents nationwide. Vancouver and Burnaby took the top two spots in July. The average asking rent for a one-bedroom unit in both cities increased compared to June, with Vancouver’s rising by 1.3% to $2,761 and Burnaby’s rising by 0.9% to $2,566. “Asking rents for apartments in Vancouver continued to trend upwards for the third straight month,” Rentals.ca states. Year-over-year data from Rentals.ca paints a slightly better picture, as Vancouver saw an 8.4% drop in rent for a one-bedroom unit compared to last year. Victoria also snuck into the top 10: its one-bedroom unit price increased by 0.5% compared to June, reaching $2,189. To illustrate the disparity between Vancouver and other cities in Canada, a one-bedroom apartment essentially costs twice as much in Vancouver versus Edmonton, where the average asking rent for a one-bedroom unit was $1,389 in July. Montreal is also way more affordable than Vancouver, according to Rentals.ca. The average asking rent for a one-bedroom unit in Montreal hit $1,756 in July. The disparity grows when looking at two-bedroom apartments. In July, the cost to rent a two-bedroom unit in Vancouver reached $3,666, a 0.5% increase compared to June. Burnaby remained flat, with the average asking rent for a two-bedroom unit at $3,184. The cost of a two-bedroom unit in Victoria ($2,797) is nearly on par with the cost of a one-bedroom unit in Vancouver ($2,761). In Calgary, the average two-bedroom unit was $2,157 in July. Rentals.ca says that rents across the country saw the fastest month-over-month increase in 2024 to date. “Average asking rents grew by 0.8% from June, which represents a reversal of the previous month’s decline of 0.8%. As we approach the end of the summer season, this increase is a return to average market rents hovering just above $2,200,” the report states. Rentals.ca

21-storey-rental-housing-tower-proposed-for-1st-avenue-in-kitsilano
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21-storey rental housing tower proposed for 1st Avenue in Kitsilano

Bymichael

Two aging multi-family residential buildings in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood could be redeveloped into a 212-ft-tall, 21-storey, mixed-use rental housing tower. Millennium Development Corporation has submitted a new rezoning application for the redevelopment of 2158-2170 West 1st Avenue, which is located near the southeast corner of the intersection of Yew Street and West 1st Avenue. The property is within the northernmost boundary of the City’s Broadway Plan, which is the south side of 1st Avenue. The development site is about a 13-minute walk from the future SkyTrain Arbutus Station and 99 B-Line bus exchange. The land assembly’s 1964-built two-storey west building contains 27 apartment units, while the smaller 1955-built two-storey east building contains seven apartment units. Site of 2158-2170 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver. (Chris Dikeakos Architects/Millennium Development Corporation) Site of 2158-2170 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver. (Chris Dikeakos Architects/Millennium Development Corporation) Site of 2158-2170 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver, in relation to its walking distance to SkyTrain Arbutus Station. (Google Maps) Existing condition of 2158-2170 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver. (Chris Dikeakos Architects/Millennium Development Corporation) According to the application, there would be 185 secured purpose-built rental homes, including 151 market rental units and 34 below-market units, based on the area plan’s requirement that 20% of the residential rental spaces be set aside for below-market rental housing. Extensive shared indoor and outdoor amenity spaces are provided to residents on both the fifth and 21st rooftop levels. Artistic rendering of 2158-2170 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver. (Chris Dikeakos Architects/Millennium Development Corporation) Artistic rendering of 2158-2170 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver. (Chris Dikeakos Architects/Millennium Development Corporation) Artistic rendering of 2158-2170 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver. (Chris Dikeakos Architects/Millennium Development Corporation) The project would also introduce neighbourhood-serving retail and restaurant uses, with 6,300 sq ft of commercial space set aside on the ground level. However, the potential for additional residential and/or commercial spaces is limited by the decision to situate the project’s secured bike parking spaces requirements within the rear of the ground level and on a mezzanine level. Following City requirements for such densities and uses, the project will provide about 350 secured bike parking stalls. Additionally, two underground levels will provide 99 vehicle parking stalls. The total building floor area would reach about 143,000 sq ft, establishing a floor area ratio density of a floor area that is 6.8 times larger than the size of the 21,000 sq ft lot. The project’s design firms are Chris Dikeakos Architects and ETA Landscape Architecture. Artistic rendering of 2158-2170 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver. (Chris Dikeakos Architects/Millennium Development Corporation) Artistic rendering of 2158-2170 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver. (Chris Dikeakos Architects/Millennium Development Corporation)