The developments would be located at the intersection of Thurlow and Harwood, and at Alberni and Bidwell
Rezoning applications have submitted for two residential developments in Vancouver’s West End, according to the City of Vancouver website.
The first of the two is a proposed 39-storey market residential tower with a six-storey podium located on the southwest corner of Alberni Street and Bidwell street. Local developer Westbank Projects and Bing Thom Architects are responsible for the project. The tower has a rather striking architectural design, with the building's outer structure mimicking the look of an exoskeleton.
“The profile of the exoskeleton creates a unique alternating pattern that literally steps up the building, thus allowing us to move away from the typical stratified or monolithic extruded towers design so prevalent in Vancouver, and for that matter, the rest of the world,” stated the design rationale.
Four levels of underground parking, with 180 parking stalls and 120 bicycle parking spaces would be included in the Westbank tower.
The second development consists of two residential towers located at the corner of Harwood Street and Thurlow Street, and is being proposed by BlueSky Partners and Henriquez Partners Architects. According to the rezoning application, the North tower will be made up of 59 market residential units on floors 18-33 and 98 social housing units on floors 2-18. The second tower will have one less floor and be made up of 143 market residential units.
“The proposed towers in a park are inspired by the clean modern lines of the West End character and contextual relationship to the surrounding fabric,” stated the BlueSky project description. “A modern minimalism that is designed as a complementary addition to the existing context, and an urban retreat for residents.”
See renderings of the two proposed developments below.
Photo: Westbank Projects/Bing Thom Architects
Alberni Rendering
The Westbank development will have balconies on every other floor
Photo: Westbank Projects/Bing Thom Architects
Alberni Rendering
The entrance of the building will have a reflecting pool and pedestrian bridge
Photo: Westbank Projects/Bing Thom Architects
Alberni Rendering
The "exoskeleton" design of the development is seen clearly in this rendering
Photo: BlueSky Properties/Henriquez Partners Architects
BlueSky 1
According to the application, several features in the BlueSky development will have a wood finish
Photo: BlueSky Properties/Henriquez Partners Architects
West End Development
The building's base will be built with marble
Photo: BlueSky Properties/Henriquez Partners Architects
BlueSky 2
Residents will have access to a rooftop garden as well as gardens at the base of the towers
