Welcome to Part 5 of our Coming Soon series. As with previous parts, this article will cover a couple forthcoming developments in the False Creek Flats area. This Vancouver neighbourhood is currently undergoing a revitalization as the City has given impetus for developers to bring new residential density and business opportunities to the area. As a result, many developers are creating mixed-use developments pairing housing stock with offices, artist studios, local shops and even low-impact industrial spaces.
Chroma by Wave Developments, 315 East 2nd Avenue
The Chroma by Wave Developments currently under construction promises to be a significant mixed-use development in the False Creek Flats neighbourhood. Syncra Construction is handling the building of the 9-storey complex of 133 rental homes and commercial space, but it has been designed by Studio Balcaen Kwan Architecture.
The architecture boasts a modern facade with two distinct volumes that break up the building’s massing. The lower portion consists of the commercial base with glass retail fronts, an anthracite colour palette and a folded roof plane expression.
The proposed uses of the building include:
- Levels 1 to 2:
- Manufacturing, Brewing and Distilling
- Restaurant Class A
- Fitness Centre and General Office
- Levels 3 to 6:
- Secured Market Rental
- Levels 8 to 9:
- General Office
The 133 planned rental homes will be a mix of micro units, studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. Micro units, while being somewhat controversial, are specifically permissible in this area under statutes in the False Creek Flats Area Plan. The majority of the apartments are micro units, coming in at about 71%.
The building will offer a two-level underground parking garage with a capacity of 66 vehicle stalls. Much like other developments with little to no resident parking, residents are expected to be commuters taking advantage of the new Great Northern Way – Emily Carr SkyTrain station 400 metres away.
989 Main Street, Main Street & Millross Avenue
Coming soon to 989 Main Street, on the corner of Main Street & Millross Avenue, a 32-home, 70 feet tall rental building will replace the Millross Gardens – formerly a busy community garden popular with urban apiarists (beekeepers).
The rental building is being developed by Amacon and designed by Checkwitch Poiron Architects. Amacon has a great track record of commercial and residential projects in the Lower Mainland and across Canada, such as in Mississauga. Checkwitch Poiron Architects is better known on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands for its high-profile projects, such as the Nanaimo Airport Expansion I and the award-winning Nanaimo Cruise Ship Terminal.
The building’s ground floor is expected to house a single retail or restaurant tenant, while the second floor is going to feature artist studios. From the third to sixth floor, 32 units of market rental housing will become available (8 units per floor). Additionally, the first two floors will be a mostly concrete construction while the remaining floors will prioritize timber construction.
Residents of the building will be able to take advantage of their home’s close proximity to the nearby SkyTrain station and adjacent bus routes. This is crucial to keep in mind as the building will only have 3 vehicle parking stalls in the laneway.
View the development progress of 989 Main Street at Shape Your City.
New Vancouver Park at Main St & 7th Ave
Even though housing capacity remains a forefront issue in Vancouver, planners and developers still find the occasional postage stamp to turn into an outdoor space.
At the intersection of Main Street and 7th Avenue, a new urban park is being designed on the edge of the False Creek Flats. Located near several high-profile developments, such as ____, the new park will occupy half a block. This new park has been in development for a while now and has gone through two phases of public engagement to shape the future form and function of the community space.
Since the parcel is too small to host athletic facilities at 10,000 sq. ft. the as-of-yet-unnamed park is being intended to host community events. Central to the park is a plaza with terraced seating and a possible year-round canopy. The canopy would be multifunctional throughout the seasons, which have become steadily more rainy or hot. Shade from the sun, protection from the rain or snow, and a functional structure for performances.
There are a number of existing parks nearby that allow different activities, like playgrounds and sports courts, and with events like Mural Festival and Car Free Day growing every year we hope the new park can be a flexible staging place for community events and all-season programming.
Other proposed features include a designated parking spot for a food truck, opportunities for murals as part of the Vancouver Mural Festival, and a rain garden with a pedestrian bridge.
Follow the development of this new park at Main Street & 7th Avenue through Shape Your City.
