VREG Blog

Bastion Development has submitted a rezoning application for their site at Arbutus & West 10th Avenue for a 20-storey condo tower. The site at 2120-2150 West 10th Avenue is 17,248 SF and located just one block from the Arbutus Station. A previous proposal for the site in 2021 was for a 5-storey condo building with 42 units under existing zoning. The project is the first application under the Broadway Plan seeking 100% condo use. Most sub-areas of the Plan require rental, or a mix of condo and social housing. This particular sub-area, known as Kitsilano Arbutus Broadway Sub area C, allows for 100% condo with a CAC payment. Details of Bastion’s proposal for the site is a 20-storey tower that includes: 86 condo units; 71 two-bedrooms, 12 three-bedrooms & 3 townhouses; 3,900 SF of retail space on the ground floor; a total density of 6.93 FSR; A building height of 217 ft. 144 parking stalls on 4 underground levels. The rezoning will require a CAC payment, yet to be determined. The architect for the project is Arcadis. The full application can be viewed here: https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/2120-2150-w-10th-ave The post A Rare Sighting: A 100% Condo Tower in the Broadway Plan appeared first on Vancouver Market.

A couple of blocks of Seymour Street developed into the ultimate shopping desination (if you were popping out to buy a truck). Federal Motors, and GMC Trucks were on the next block to the south, and International Motor Trucks put their showroom here, on the 1100 block. Built in two phases, International moved here in 1927 when the expanded from their smaller premises at the north end of the same block, on Davie Street. The initial building was the northern (right hand) half, seen in this 1927 Vancouver Public Library image. According to the permit it was developed in 1926 by Mr. J. E. McAllister at a cost of $8,500. Charles James McAllister was born in Wiarton, Bruce County Ontario in 1869. He became a blacksmith, and arrived in Vancouver around 1891, initially working for the CPR. He worked on East Hastings, initially we think for John McAllister, another blacksmith who had The Columbia Carriage Works there. It seems likely they were related, and Charles lodged with John when he first arrived. Charles married Ellen Percival in 1898. She was born in Manitoba but lived in Vancouver from 1887. They had a daughter, Elva, in 1899, and a son, Clarence in 1903. In 1905 they were living on this site at 1145 Seymour in a house that Charles had built a year earlier (just visible on the edge of the 1927 image). In the 1911 census Charles was still a blacksmith. In 1921 E J McAllister got a permit to carry out repairs and raise the house. Charles J McAllister was still shown living here in the street directory, and in 1928 was president of McAllister Spring Co, (based in 1162 Seymour) and still living here, as was his son Clarence, who worked with him. We’re not sure if there really was a J E McAllister who owned the premises, and almost certain there was no E J McAllister (at least, not in any street directories) but Charles J McAllister lived in this location for over 20 years before the garage was built. Whoever developed the garage probably hired Bedford Davidson to design and build it. If not, they copied the other garage designs Mr Davidson was resposible for in the area. The house at 1145 Seymour had rooms to let between 1927 and 1931, which is when we think it must have been replaced by the extended showroom. By 1933 when our main image was taken, the building had been doubled to 100 feet wide. Charles McAllister died in 1956 at the age of 87. His obitiary noted that he owned McAllister Spring Co for 45 years, having set it up when he stopped working for the CPR. International Harvester Co moved into the building at 1135 in 1927, and were listed until 1950. United Upholstery moved into the building in 1951, and were here until 1957. In 1958 a new bowling alley was announced; Norman Loomer was going to spend $15,000 on remodelling the premises and installing the equipment. He already had Seymour Recreations at 1105 Seymour, and when Loomer Lanes opened in August they allowed both 5 and 10 pin bowling in ‘the most modern lanes in Canada’. In 1964 they were the Holly Lanes, but by 1967 Budget Office Furniture had taken the space, and was here to the mid 1970s, but by 1975 Dorwell Office Equipment had taken over, and by the early 1980s it was the Furniture Division of Williams and Mackie. Today it’s part of a twin tower strata project called Brava, designed by Hewitt and Kwasnicky, and developed by Onni and Amacon in the early 2000s, completed in 2005. On this part of the street there are townhouses, but the Vancouver International Film Centre run the theatre to the south that’s part of the complex. Image sources; City of Vancouver Archives CVA 99-4547 and Vancouver Public Library 1420

Marcon has submitted a rezoning application for 2030-2038 Barclay Street in the West End. The site is currently a 4-storey extended stay hotel property called Rosellen Suites. The site was previously approved for a 10-storey, 19-unit condo project under the existing RM-5B zoning. The new proposal is to allow for the development of a 29-storey hotel and long-term stay building and includes: 292 units; 65 short term stay rooms & 227 serviced apartments; 2,800 SF of restaurant space; a total density of 14.7 FSR; and A building height of 329 ft. The architect for the project is Henriquez Partners. The full rezoning application can be viewed here: https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/2030-2038-barclay-st The post 29-Storey Hotel Proposed for West End Site appeared first on Vancouver Market.

Sure, Vancouver’s seawall is the popular place to bike, but that doesn’t mean the suburbs can’t be too — with a few fixes. In the latest episode of the popular About Here video series on urban solutions (180,000 YouTube subscribers and counting), creator Uytae Lee takes a set of two wheels into the land of “cars, cul-de-sacs and Costcos.” “On the surface, it’s easy to think that cycling would just never be possible in neighbourhoods like this,” he says in the opening, “but the evidence actually suggests that might not be true.” The obvious problem is that lots of infrastructure is dedicated to cars and that the landscape is too vast. But Lee challenges us to look again. Wide roads might be built for cars, but they actually make for a roomy cycling experience. Suburbs might be monotonous, but that means everyone’s got schools and shopping close by. And looking at resident surveys from sprawling cities like Surrey, it’s not distance that’s preventing people from hopping on a bike, but worries about safety. In the video, Lee cycles routes in two cities to sample the experience: Surrey in Metro Vancouver and Saanich on Vancouver Island. The inner streets of both are lovely and calm, a kind of Spielbergian setting that would be familiar to the cycling kids of E.T. or Stranger Things. But on the main roads, with cars, buses and trucks? Separation is key to safety. Surrey’s Fraser Highway has only painted lines to protect cyclists. Lee’s commute here proved treacherous, with drivers and a giant 503 bus speeding right into his lane. (In the words of one YouTube commenter: “Uytae out here taking his life in his hands cycling Fraser Highway to deliver premium About Here content.”) In Saanich, on the other hand, cyclists on the main road are protected by a physical barrier. The path even feeds into the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, once a freight railway built during the First World War and now a green and picturesque cycling route that takes you from the suburbs into Victoria. Surrey: Eek! Screencap from the “About Here” video. Saanich: Ooh! Screencap from the “About Here” video. Paying for this infrastructure and finding the political support for it can be difficult, though, says Lee. Perhaps the biggest hurdle is to accept that there’s no such thing as a natural place for cars. A good cycling network can happen even in the suburbs, offering people another option to get around. “Our cities don’t have to look like Amsterdam or Copenhagen to be good for cycling,” says Lee. Check out the video above for About Here’s usual mix of data, snappy solutions, and Lee’s delightfully geeky passion for improving our cities. *** Christopher Cheung is a reporter at The Tyee, where this story originally appeared. The post Cycling in the Suburbs Doesn’t Have to Suck appeared first on Spacing Vancouver.

Fabric Living has submitted a rezoning application for a site at 3295-3333 Commercial Drive in East Vancouver for a new lowrise rental building. The 33,158 SF site is located on Commercial Drive near East 18th Avenue. The proposal is to allow for the development of a 5-storey residential rental building and includes: 115 market rental units; an outdoor pool; a total density of 2.15 FSR; and A building height of 67 ft. This application is being considered under the Secured Rental Policy. The full application can be viewed here: https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/3295-3333-commercial-dr The architect for the project is TKA+D. The post 115 Unit Rental Building Proposed for Commercial Drive Site appeared first on Vancouver Market.

With a crispy golden exterior and fluffy texture, these roast potatoes are prepared the traditional British way (without skins and par-boiled before roasting) and are really easy to make. Naturally vegan and the perfect side dish! There are few things in life better than a roast potato (although maybe a hasselback potato would come in close second.) But when I moved to Canada, I remember being surprised to learn that the fluffy-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside golden nuggets I’d grown up with in the UK didn’t exist here. Instead, North Americans generally make roasties by cutting up potatoes (with the skin on) and just roasting them in the oven from raw. And of course there’s nothing wrong with this at all, but as someone who is potato-OBSESSED, I would argue that isn’t a true roast potato. When made using the British cooking process in this fool-proof recipe, roast potatoes have a crunchy, golden skin and a deeply fluffy inside. Serve them with gravy and a few side dishes , or go the whole way and make an English-style Sunday roast dinner with a nut loaf , stuffing , roasted carrots , Yorkshire puddings and steamed veg. Perfect for Christmas dinner or any time you want something delicious and comforting. Why roast potatoes cooked the British way are best Bold statement I know. Here’s why I think the British way is the best: It gives the crispiest roast potatoes – By removing the skins then shaking potatoes after parboiling, the fat soaks into them and you end up with roasties that have a deliciously crunchy outside. They’re SO fluffy – I’m not exactly sure why, but I think the combination of peeling the potatoes then parboiling allows moisture to escape while they’re cooking, stopping them from going mushy inside. Love what you see? Get my once-monthly newsletter with my latest recipes straight to your inbox! Yes, I agree to the processing of my personal data to receive email marketing. /* real people should not fill this in and expect good things – do not remove this or risk form bot signups */ Leave this field empty if you’re human: Are English roast potatoes vegan? Not always. Traditionally, people have used duck fat, goose fat or other animal fats to make roast potatoes, so they’re not always suitable for those following a plant-based diet. Nowadays, most people use some kind of oil for roasting potatoes, whether that’s olive, vegetable or avocado, so they’re often vegan. 2 simple ingredients Potatoes – I like using Yukon Golds (see note below). Use larger potatoes to make peeling them simpler! Oil – Avocado oil is my go-to option. Feel free to use your favourite unflavoured olive or vegetable oil (be sure to use one that is stable at a high temperature). Which potatoes are best for roasting? In my opinion, here in Canada Yukon Gold potatoes are the best for roasting, because they fall right in the middle of the waxy-starchy spectrum and they’re a creamy potato. Although Russet potatoes and red potatoes will work, they tend to be starchy and end up with a less creamy center than roasted Yukon potatoes. Likewise, if you use potatoes that are too waxy, they won’t fluff on the inside. If you’re in a different country, aim for a potato that sits halfway between waxy and starchy. How to make British roast potatoes Heat oven to 350℉/175℃. Peel potatoes, then cut into roughly 2-inch pieces (usually quartered or halved, depending on size of potatoes). Place in a large pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil on high heat, then reduce heat and simmer potatoes for 10 minutes, until just getting soft. While cooking potatoes, add oil to a large roasting pan or baking sheet and place in oven to heat for a few minutes. Drain spuds, then place back into pot and give them a good shake for a few seconds, to fluff up the edges of the potatoes. Add to baking sheet in a single layer and toss in hot fat until well covered. Roast in hot oven for 25 minutes until edges are just starting to turn golden. Flip potatoes with spatula and roast another 25 minutes until golden all over. Serve with gravy, and your favourite main and/or side dishes! Expert tips Be sure to fluff! Don’t skip shaking potatoes in the pan after parboiling and draining – it makes their edges fluffy and means you’ll get crispy roast potatoes. Don’t overboil. This can lead to mushy potatoes that fall apart when you roast them. They’ll still taste delicious, but they won’t hold their shape so well. Storage When cooled, store any leftover roast potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Can you eat cold roast potatoes? Yes! In fact, cold roast potatoes dipped in vegan gravy are one of my favourite things. How to reheat roast potatoes? Preheat oven to 400°F/205°C and spread potatoes on a baking sheet. Cover in foil (to stop them drying out) and reheat for about 15 minutes until hot all the way through. Can you freeze roast potatoes? Technically you can freeze roast potatoes, but I don’t recommend it. The texture is never the same and they really much better enjoyed fresh! Variations Roasted potatoes with rosemary – Add ½-1 teaspoon dried or fresh rosemary to potatoes before roasting for an aromatic flavour. Herb roasted

Anxiety has become a common concern in today’s fast-paced world, with millions of people looking for natural ways to manage their symptoms. Cannabis has become a potential fix in recent years since it provides a more all-encompassing way for relaxation. The  ottawa dispensary gives Ottawa citizens a natural route to wellbeing and a variety of items meant to aid with anxiety. How Cannabis Helps with Anxiety Compounds known as cannabinoids abound in cannabis; two most well-known are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Both cannabis interact with the endocannabinoid system in the body, which controls other essential activities, stress, and mood. Particularly CBD is well-known for its relaxing properties free of the “high” that THC usually generates. Because CBD can assist lower symptoms without compromising cognitive ability, it is a common choice for alleviation of anxiety. Many of the CBD-dominant items available in Ottawa come from oils and tinctures to pills and sweets. These choices allow people the freedom to select a good that most fits their comfort level and way of life. Ottawa stores fit for a daily CBD oil dosage or a soothing tasty at the end of a demanding day. Why Choose a Dispensary in Ottawa? Buying cannabis for anxiety from an ottawa dispensary offers one benefit in terms of quality assurance and direction. Reputable Ottawa cannabis stores are under stringent guidelines and control to guarantee products are safe and potent. Many of these stores feature experienced employees who can walk consumers through their options, including the possible advantages and advised dosages of every item. For people new to cannabis, particularly in addressing particular health issues like anxiety, this assistance is priceless. Types of Products Available Ottawa stores provide several choices for individuals controlling anxiety: CBD Oils and Tinctures:  Perfect for individuals with exact dose control desired. Usually taken sublingually for fastest absorption, these Capsules:  for people looking for a pre-measured dosage, a handy choice. Edibles:  Perfect for constant relief all day, great for a gradual, long-lasting impact. Vapes:  Though it may not be appropriate for everyone, vaping provides quick relief for those who want immediate effects. Cannabis offers Ottawa citizens suffering with anxiety a reasonable, natural substitute for conventional medications. Examining the products available at nearby cannabis stores helps people to choose one that supports a calm and healthy way of life. See a healthcare provider to make sure cannabis fits your wellness regimen; let Ottawa’s stores help you find natural anxiety alleviation.