City Duo
@city-duo
We're Hannah and Darren, a married couple in Vancouver. We cover civic meetings, open houses, as well as other changes across our city's urban fabric. We strive for a diverse, informed, and inclusive community.
There's been a significant revision to the plans for the West Point Grey Safeway moderate income rental building. Instead of two towers, at 19 & 21 floors, its recently filed development application reveals there's now three "towers" at 21, 7, & 6 floors #Vancouver #VanRe #VanCre
Now with homes, & a social services centre for veterans of Canada’s armed forces, the Arbutus & 7th Ave social housing building has returned larger than ever. Will #Vancouver embrace this once controversial proposal, or will #Lestweforget take on a new meaning? #Kitsilano #VanRE
Plans for the future of another #Vancouver Safeway will be revealed at an open house today that could lead to Collingwood becoming the latest neighbourhood, after Kitsilano and Marpole, to see their local grocery store return with a sizable increase in housing. #VanRe #VanCre
Call Unite Here’s efforts filibustering, or foreign interference, but they’ve successfully delayed over 850 city-owned rental homes proposed at the 2400 Motel as there’s simply not enough time for council to hear from #Vancouver residents before the election break #VanRe #VanCre
Coal Harbour’s new school has finally been issued an occupancy permit, almost six years after rezoning plans were first submitted. This includes both the building’s daycare, below-market homes & cəw̓as Ch’elxwá7elch Skwuláw̓txw Seaside Elementary. #Vancouver #WestEnd #VanRE #OurVSB
While some are trying to spread misinformation that the @cityofvancouver.bsky.social only provided last minute notice of this open house, thanks to the efforts of the @waybackmachine.bsky.social, we can see it was published at least 18 days beforehand, & the truth can prevail #Vancouver #VanRe
Already, duelling Change.org petitions have racked up over 2,600 signatures, though it’s impossible to say how many of those live in Metro Vancouver. Still, this will easily be the most heated open house in Kits Point, as there haven’t been any others in at least 10 years.
If you ever enjoyed a day at the #Vancouver Maritime Museum, this event is one you won’t want to miss. While the VMM hopes this proposed floating spa will keep their head above water, a group of hostile voices, including some Kits Point residents, hopes to sink them. #VanRe
if approved next week, major changes will be coming to #Vancouver’s Cambie Street Bridge that include widening the W 2nd Ave off-ramp, a bi-directional bike lane on the east side, replacement of the pedestrian staircase, & the demolition of the City Studios building underneath
Instead, the applicant revealed the more detailed proposal to come has seen serious revisions, & with some slight relaxations it could comply with the draft conditions of approval. This in-person meeting with senior staff led to a negotiated compromise that left both sides happy.
As the opposition to the Waterfront Station Office Tower never really materialized, & with firms outside #Vancouver expressing interest in leasing space here, it shouldn’t be surprise this concept easily won the DP Boards approval, even if it will never be built. #VanRe #VanCre
This comes only days before the Development Permit Board is set to decide its fate on Monday at city hall, where just those attending in-person can speak. The only other proposal to receive this treatment was 105 Keefer, meaning this meeting is expected to be quite controversial.
A last minute hatchet job will eliminate 20% of the job space in the tree inspired Waterfront Station office tower. Its actually suggested that after 12 years of review, the proposal wait until a future city council eases Downtown #Vancouver’s height restrictions. #VanRe #VanCre
Only the ~30 people at its open house were able to express their thoughts, & a few felt this was still too much to impose on the neighbouring mansions. Whether you agree, or prefer the original 20 floor version, you can make your opinion heard before May 13th with this QR code.
It’s no wonder that after 7 years of review these 266 homes have been removed from #Vancouver’s permit system. Not only are the 2 proposals mere blocks from the E Hastings St towers city council recently shot down, they underwent the same “policy enquiry process” too. #VanRE
What was planned in 2019 to be a #passivehouse, #masstimber, social housing building with 88 homes has quietly been removed from #Vancouver’s permit system. While 20% of its living space was cutback in 2022, the fatal blow was likely the end of the Community Housing Fund #VanRe @cltrust.bsky.social
In 2023 it looked like this 14 floor strata building would further reduce #Vancouver’s dwindling number of gas stations. Now instead of 85 homes, the Esso at King Edward & Oak will live on, as this proposal was withdrawn last month. #VanRe #VanCre www.shapeyourcity.ca/1010-w-king-...
601 Cordova has been labelled many things during its decade long review process, but this week the Urban Design Panel simply call it something worthy of their support, albeit with a couple recommendations. #VanRe #VanCre #Vancouver - www.shapeyourcity.ca/601-w-cordov...
After a 4+ hour long marathon session, #Vancouver’s first #supertall proposal has earned the unanimous support of the Urban Design Panel. There were a few minor recommendations, including one to consider increasing the space between these trio of towers. #VanRE #VanCre
The team behind this 18 floor rental building got the message after city council referred these 165 homes back to staff last year. To keep council’s hands clean, they’ve “voluntarily” withdrawn this Broadway Plan application, & listed the property for sale. #Vancouver #VanRe
A proposal for a 5 floor, 82 strata home building between BC Women’s & Children’s Hospital, & the Heather Lands has been pulled 16 months after it was submitted. Whether that’s a sign of optimism about the Villages Plan, or something more bleak, it’s hard to say #Vancouver #VanRe
The infamous “Icepick,” easily one of the most controversial redevelopments in #Vancouver’s history, seems set to reappear 11 years after it was first proposed at Waterfront Station. The latest version is a few floors shorter, but retains the same local architects #VanRe #VanCre
While a two story grocery store may sound like a huge improvement to this vacant lot at Georgia & Richards, it’s far smaller than the 2019 plans for a 23 floor office building. That proposal was approved in 2021, & ultimately went nowhere. #Vancouver #VanRe #VanCre
Their near unanimous motion of non-support also echoed the Director of Planning’s own desire for the applicant to acquire, & incorporate the properties to the north. Which seems an impossible ask, as their owner is planning their own development proposal, & has no desire to sell.
A scathing introduction by city staff allowed the Urban Design Panel to quickly tear apart this student housing building planned a block away from the new Broadway #SkyTrain station. They blasted it as a negative fit for Mount Pleasant, & the immediate area. #Vancouver #VanRe
After 3 years of review, these 25 rental homes, the last proposed under #Vancouver’s failed Affordable Housing Choices Policy have been withdrawn. That interim vision allowed less living space on this site than what’s allowed for a multiplex or even a single family home #VanRe
The failure of a concrete piling wall days before the cancellation of the Ardea strata building was announced can’t have been a coincidence. After all, when your construction site is flooded by the Fraser River, its budget is probably deep underwater too #Vancouver #VanRe
Following in the footsteps of the City of Vancouver, BC Housing has purchased a newly completed six-floor building across from Clark Park at 3077 Maddams St. Yet, unlike the city, their plans are to convert these rental homes into 81 social housing apartments. #Vancouver #VanRe