TransLink’s first-ever for-profit tower project moves forward
The notable project of a 30-storey mixed-use rental housing tower immediately south of SkyTrain’s future Arbutus Station has taken its next big step.
A new development permit application has been submitted by PCI Developments for the project of 2096 West Broadway and 2560-2576 Arbutus Street — the narrow, but long, lot next to the Arbutus Greenway at the southeast corner of the intersection of Arbutus Street and West Broadway.
The application also shows new detailed artistic renderings of a highly refined design by architectural firm Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership.
This is the latest step for the project after its rezoning application was unanimously approved by Vancouver City Council in a public hearing in July 2024.
It is a significant project; this is not only one of the first high-rise tower projects approved under the City of Vancouver’s Broadway Plan, but it is also TransLink’s very first building development project under the public transit authority’s new for-profit real estate development division.
PCI Developments and TransLink have a 50-50 partnership for this project.
This transit-oriented development will also have built-in space to enable a future secondary entrance into Arbutus Station by setting aside streetfront and underground spaces for such uses.
During the rezoning application process, it was noted that this additional subway station entrance would be situated on the Arbutus Street side of the building. However, following previous suggestions by the City’s Urban Design Panel, the development permit application shows the subway entrance is now relocated to the northernmost frontage of the building, directly facing West Broadway at the intersection corner. Schematics show this entrance will feature a staircase, one escalator, and one elevator.
Some of the building’s underground parking space will be used for the required concourse space to directly connect with Arbutus Station’s expansive concourse level directly below West Broadway.
The tower’s primary use will be 260 secured purpose-built rental homes, including 208 market rental units and 52 below-market rental units, based on the Broadway Plan’s stipulation of requiring at least 20% of the residential rental floor area be set aside for below-market rental housing.
About 7,400 sq ft of retail/restaurant uses will activate the building’s West Broadway, Arbutus, and West 10th Avenue frontages. Additionally, about 7,100 sq ft of community space over two levels for the new home of Ohel Ya’akov Community Kollel will be incorporated into the south end of the building, with the Jewish community organization space’s entrance fronting the Arbutus Greenway, where there will also be a cafe operated by the organization.
Additionally, this project will also provide the adjacent segment of the Arbutus Greenway with a major public space upgrade, including a space for a large Mobi bike share station.
During the public hearing, it was indicated that construction on the tower could begin in late 2025 for a completion in 2029.
Earlier this year, the provincial government announced SkyTrain Millennium Line’s Broadway extension reaching Arbutus will see a further delayed completion and opening in Fall 2027 instead of early 2026.
