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)

vancouver-island-resort-for-sale-costs-less-than-some-bc-homes
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Vancouver Island resort for sale costs less than some BC homes

ByRyan Hook

If hospitality comes naturally to you, the Beachcomber RV Resort on Vancouver Island could be your dream property. Priced at $7.5 million, this unique resort offers an exceptional blend of proximity to the city with a serene, secluded atmosphere amidst the breathtaking Pacific Northwest scenery. Plus, it’s a more affordable option (with the chance to bring in revenue) compared to some of the province’s opulent mansions. Colliers International/Unique Properties Accessible via a picturesque rural road, Beachcomber RV Resort is 20 minutes from the Swartz Bay Ferry terminal and a short drive from downtown Victoria. The waterfront RV Park and campground features 60 seasonal RV sites with partial hookups with plenty of room to grow the resort. Nestled on just under 10 acres of stunning land, the Beachcomber RV Resort boasts over 1,300 lineal feet of low-bank, walk-on ocean frontage. Colliers International/Unique Properties The resort features three main components. The upper level, located at the end of Campion Road, is perched on a bluff with breathtaking views of the Southern Gulf Islands and Mount Baker. This area includes a 1,176-square-foot residence, perfect for enjoying the expansive vistas. The lower terrace, situated at sea level, is home to the RV park, which includes 60 seasonal RV sites — many just steps away from a beautiful, swimmable beach. Colliers International/Unique Properties The resort operates seasonally and generates income through the rental of serviced RV pads. Sites offer 15 and 30-amp power and water hookups. The resort’s 1,223-square-foot, two-bedroom caretaker’s home and office offer comfortable accommodation for an owner or manager, and the property’s flexibility allows for seasonal, nightly, or weekly rentals. Colliers International/Unique Properties As detailed in the listing, the Beachcomber RV Resort’s land designation means it could be rezoned to accommodate further tourist commercial development, such as cabins, a boutique resort, or even luxury residential development. In a market where $7.5 million might buy you a single-family mansion in Victoria, the Beachcomber RV Resort appears to offer some exceptional value and a unique chance to own a resort destination on Vancouver Island.

zen-in-the-city:-11-metro-vancouver-gardens-to-relax-in-this-summer
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11 Metro Vancouver gardens to relax in this summer

ByDaniel Chai

Summer is speeding by in Metro Vancouver, and it’s a great time to get outside and make the most of it. But sometimes, the hustle and bustle of city life can be as draining as any heatwave. That’s when you need to find a green space to zen out for a while. We recommend a blissful visit to one of the region’s beautiful gardens. Many of them are free or low-cost to visit, and all will recharge your battery. Speaking of, make sure you bring a camera or your smartphone with you as you’ll be sure to snap some photos while you’re there! Gardens in Stanley Park Vancouver’s world-famous Stanley Park is a popular attraction for visitors and locals. There are numerous gardens to visit, including the expansive Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden, the iconic Stanley Park Rose Garden, the Shakespeare Garden arboretum, and the Stanley Park Rock Garden. The latter is the first public garden in the city. VanDusen Botanical Garden The 55-acre VanDusen Botanical Garden is home to more than 7,500 plant species from around the globe. There are relaxing water features and dozens of botanical collections to discover. Just be careful to not get lost in the maze. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a Ming Dynasty-style garden home and the first of its kind to have been built outside of China. The registered museum is found in Chinatown and is a beloved destination for cultural events as well as for those seeking a moment of solitude. Gardens at Queen Elizabeth Park Pack up a picnic and take your time to enjoy the beautiful flowers at Queen Elizabeth Park. There are multiple gardens to explore, including the main Quarry Garden filled with perennials, bulbs, and annuals, and the Rose Garden created in 1967 to commemorate Canada’s Centennial. The park is also home to the country’s first civic arboretum and plenty of public art displays. Nitobe Memorial Garden The Nitobe Memorial Garden is a traditional Japanese garden covering over two acres at UBC. It was launched to honour the memory of the late Dr. Inazō Nitobe, and today, it’s part of the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research. The garden is home to a traditional Japanese stroll garden and authentic tea house and is a great place to find harmony with nature. Park & Tilford Gardens This two-acre botanical garden in North Vancouver is a tranquil oasis beside the shopping centre of the same name. Established in 1969 by George Kuhn, the CEO of Park & Tilford Distilleries, the park features eight themed, interconnected gardens. Park & Tilford Gardens also showcases a Squamish Nation totem exhibit. Bear Creek Gardens This City of Surrey gem is available to be enjoyed year-round and features annual bedding and bulb displays in the spring and summer. There are various plant groupings to discover, including rhododendrons, azaleas, and heaths. Visitors can also discover three art pieces installed at Bear Creek Gardens as part of the city’s Public Art Program. Century Garden and Millenium Garden in Burnaby Burnaby is home to two beautiful gardens in close proximity to each other that you definitely need to visit. The Century Garden, located beside the Burnaby Art Gallery at Ceperley House, is a great place to enjoy the city’s official flower, the rhododendron. Just a short stroll away is the Millenium Garden, created at Burnaby City Hall and dedicated to all of the city’s residents. Inspiration Garden in Coquitlam The public garden is filled with floral displays, fruit trees, ornamental climbers, and more at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park. The Inspiration Garden is also a teaching garden, where visitors can learn gardening tips and gain insights into how to respect our natural environment. Darts Hill Garden Park Discover 7.5 acres of horticultural richness at Surrey’s Darts Hill Garden Park. Built by Francisca and Edwin Darts, the garden is a wonderful place for the whole family to explore. Discover Pacific Coast native plants, find unique greenery from around the globe, and watch the bees buzzing at work. Darts Hill Garden also houses an Artist In Residency Program and also offers tours when it is open. This piece was originally published in July 2022. 

english-bay-slide-returns-to-vancouver-beach-after-years-long-hiatus
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English Bay slide returns to Vancouver beach after years-long hiatus

ByMegan Devlin

A key ingredient in fun summer days at English Bay is back in place after a multi-year hiatus. The English Bay slide is floating just off the shore again after being absent since 2019. The iconic slide is a summer favourite, and often present in artistic depictions of English Bay — even while the slide itself was gone. The slide is perched atop a swimming raft and lets bathers zip down the chute to land in the water. Megan Devlin/Daily Hive The Park Board hinted earlier this year that the slide could be making a return, and now it’s finally back in the water. “After completing essential maintenance and assessing our operational capacity, we’re pleased to announce that the slide is now operational with the appropriate staffing in place,” a City of Vancouver spokesperson told Daily Hive Thursday. The slide is now open to the public, subject to the tide schedule. The English Bay slide has returned! 🌊 Make a splash on ‘The Queen Mary’ and dive into summer fun. 😎 Just remember, due to the tide schedule, the slide may close at certain times. pic.twitter.com/LRJmwViKQ0 — Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation (@ParkBoard) August 8, 2024 Slide a key attraction at English Bay for more than a century English Bay in 1946 (Don Coltman Company/Vancouver Archives) Swimmers have been braving the climb up the slide for more than 100 years, with historic photos of the beach showing some iteration of the slide in place as far back as 1915. The English Bay slide in 1915 (Vancouver Archives) Will you be going down the slide in the final few weeks of summer? Let us know in the comments.

metro-van-is-losing-trees.-that-means-a-hotter-future
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Metro Van Is Losing Trees. That Means a Hotter Future

Bymichael

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west-vancouver-council-narrowly-passes-housing-density-bylaw
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West Vancouver council narrowly passes housing density bylaw

Bymichael

District of West Vancouver councillors have reluctantly passed a bylaw rezoning single-family lots to allow the building of multiple housing units by a narrow 4-3 margin. The vote Monday, Aug. 12, came after B.C.’s Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon gave the municipality an ultimatum last month requiring that it comply with provincial requirements to rezone outstanding properties to allow multiple units within 30 days. The vote also came after a public war of words between Kahlon and West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager about the province’s demand to allow more density on single-family properties to help with the provincial housing crisis. Municipalities were supposed to approve new housing regulations by June 30. The housing dust-up with the province began in May when council voted to reject passing bylaw amendments that would have had the municipality fall in line with provincial housing density rules. Then in July, council sought an extension to the end of September to deal with the issue. But Kahlon made it clear he wasn’t going to consider that. Council ‘strongly opposed’ to provincial demand On Monday, Sager said he wasn’t happy about being forced to rezone by the provincial government. “I don’t think this is a particularly democratic way to run a province,” he said, adding, “We all appreciate there is a need to address housing, but we don’t think that the solutions necessarily get drawn on a desk in Victoria.” In casting the deciding vote on the issue, Sager noted that “most of us are very strongly opposed” to the provincial directive. “It makes me ill” to vote in favour of the rezoning, Sager said, but added he was concerned about what a rejection could mean for the community if the province stepped in and imposed its own zoning bylaw. Three councillors refused to go along with the rezoning, lambasting the province for its top-down approach and refusal to push back against unprecedented levels of immigration to B.C. as driving the housing crisis, as well as criticizing senior levels of government for a laundry list of problems. ‘We’ve developed Stockholm Syndrome’ says Watt “It’s almost like we’ve developed Stockholm Syndrome,” said Coun. Linda Watt, who pointed to a huge wave of immigration to B.C. while private sector housing starts are down. Watt said passing the rezoning bylaw was “not a solution” to the housing crisis. “We have an authoritarian government that is ignoring basic planning principles in a reckless effort to please a prime minister who’s hell bent on beating the Canadian economy further into the ground,” she said. Both Watt and Coun. Christine Cassidy suggested the province had chosen to make an example of West Vancouver ahead of the fall provincial election. Coun. Sharon Thompson said she also didn’t believe rezoning single-family properties would do much to create more housing. Just over 300 properties impacted According to West Vancouver staff, the rezoning bylaw means 313 properties will see an increase in density. Most of the properties impacted by the changes are former land use contract sites in the Ambleside and Dundarave neighbourhoods which in the past have specifically disallowed coach houses. Most single-family lots in the rest of West Vancouver already allow both secondary suites and coach houses, so wouldn’t have been impacted by the change. The new rules provide for between three and six units to be built on single-family lots – depending on the size of the lot and its distance from transit routes. Coun. Nora Gambioli was the lone councillor who spoke in favour of the provincial zoning bylaw Monday saying West Van is “way way off” its housing targets. “We’ve actually only approved 50 units that are getting hopefully built in the next couple of years,” she said. “I don’t think we’ve been doing enough for the whole time I’ve been on this council.” Gambioli added the change will impact less than three per cent of the lots in West Vancouver. Coun. Peter Lambur and Coun. Scott Snider – who called in to the meeting by satellite phone from a remote location – both said they weren’t happy with the provincial ultimatum but added passing the bylaw was a better option than leaving it up to the province to make changes. “My duty to the district is more important than my political views on the matter,” said Snider. “The province can tell us what to do,” said Lambur. “That’s exactly what they’re doing.”