Two condo towers approved for north end of Lions Gate Bridge

Two condo towers approved to replace Grouse Inn Hotel at north end of Lions Gate Bridge in North Vancouver

Artistic rendering of the redevelopment at 1633 Capilano Road, North Vancouver. (Rafii Architects / Pacific Gate Investments)

One of the largest redevelopment projects planned for the north end of the Lions Gate Bridge has received final approval.

Earlier this month, the District of North Vancouver granted Pacific Gate Investments with a development permit for Park West at Lions Gate – a mixed-use redevelopment at 1633 Capilano Road, the prominent northwest corner of the intersection of Marine Drive and Capilano Road. It will replace Grouse Inn Hotel and the site of an adjacent vacant gas station.

2010 Marine Drive 1633 Capilano Road North Vancouver

Site of the redevelopment at 1633 Capilano Road, North Vancouver. (Rafii Architects / Pacific Gate Investments)

The development site at the northwest corner of the intersection of Marine Drive and Capilano Road in North Vancouver. (Google Maps)

The site is also immediately adjacent to the Earls Tin Palace restaurant redevelopment and LARCO’s Lions Gate Towers redevelopment. A rezoning application for the project was approved in 2014, but further steps were delayed to allow for a staggering of the construction projects in the area to limit traffic impacts from construction.

Pacific Gate, designed by Vancouver-based Rafii Architects, will turn the 2.6-acre site into two-tower project reaching 23 and 19 storeys, with 258 market residential units spread out over the complex. The unit mix consists of 96 one-bedroom units, 138 two-bedroom units, and 24 three-bedroom units.

Artistic rendering of the redevelopment at 1633 Capilano Road, North Vancouver. (Rafii Architects / Pacific Gate Investments)

Residents will have access to major amenity spaces and facilities on the rooftop of the podium, such as an outdoor pool and an indoor amenity space with a fitness gym, yoga room, and multi-purpose spaces.

Artistic rendering of the redevelopment at 1633 Capilano Road, North Vancouver. (Rafii Architects / Pacific Gate Investments)

Within the podium, there will also be commercial space, including a small grocery store, a restaurant, smaller retail units, and a daycare facility.

Artistic rendering of the redevelopment at 1633 Capilano Road, North Vancouver. (Rafii Architects / Pacific Gate Investments)

Layout of the redevelopment at 1633 Capilano Road, North Vancouver. (Rafii Architects / Pacific Gate Investments)

The project calls for about 464 parking stalls within three underground levels to support its density. A LEED Gold environmental design standard is targeted.

A large “gateway plaza” will run through much of the site to provide a pedestrian link and create a “public face” to the emerging Lions Gate Village area.

Artistic rendering of the redevelopment at 1633 Capilano Road, North Vancouver. (Rafii Architects / Pacific Gate Investments)

The developer will allocate approximately $1.8 million towards transportation improvements in the area, including a new boulevard and additional southbound travel lane on Capilano Road and the widening of the travel lanes on Curling Road. On the Marine Drive artery, the existing westbound bus stop next to the development site will be upgraded with a new, large customized bus shelter to accommodate the future North Shore B-Line service.

Current condition looking east from Marine Drive:

Current condition at 1633 Capilano Road, North Vancouver. (Rafii Architects / Pacific Gate Investments)

Future condition looking west from Marine Drive:

Artistic rendering of the redevelopment at 1633 Capilano Road, North Vancouver. (Rafii Architects / Pacific Gate Investments)

Additionally, as part of the rezoning agreement, the developer will provide a $4.56-million community amenity contribution to the municipal government.

Over half a dozen major tower redevelopments are planned for the immediate area within the District of North Vancouver’s jurisdiction, and this does not include mid-rise buildings and a new townhouse neighbourhood to the north of the site.

Artistic rendering of 303 Marine Drive in West Vancouver in relation to the proposed redevelopments as part of the District of North Vancouver’s Lions Gate Village. (Chris Dikeakos Architects / Darwin Development)

See also