13-storey tower with homes and retail proposed for Kingsway Rona site

Jun 27 2019, 3:33 am

There is now a formal development application to redevelop the site of the former Kingsway Rona store into a mixed-use redevelopment.

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Cressey Development has submitted a proposal to the City of Vancouver to turn 1503 Kingsway — a 1.5-acre site framed by Kingsway to the south, Dumfries Street to the west, Fleming Street to the east, and a church to the north — into a 167-ft-tall, 13-storey tower with a six-storey podium containing about 23,500 sq. ft. of commercial space on the lower floors.

There would also be townhouses within three-storey structures facing Fleming Street and Dumfries Street.

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

Site of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

1503 Kingsway Vancouver

Looking northeast at the former Rona store property from the intersection of Kingsway and Dumfries Street in Vancouver. (Google Maps Streetview)

The proposal calls for 154 market homes, including 41 townhouses. Within the tower podium, retail space facing Kingsway is slated for the ground level (potentially with a grocery store) and office space on the second level.

During the extensive pre-application phase, project proponents expressed significant interest with proceeding with a proposal for a taller 16-storey tower, but this was firmly rejected by city staff.

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 artistic rendering of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 artistic rendering of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

According to the project design team at Rositch Hemphill Architects, early plans have been refined based on input from the city’s planning department, including a relocation of the tower closer to the intersection of Kingsway and Dumfriest Street and reduced tower floor plate sizes to create a slimmer appearance.

“There were a series of meetings and communication with and from the Planning Department,” reads the application. “Many design options were prepared for the site. With input from the Planning Department, the current design is a direct response to the irregular site, one that has little precedence in Vancouver.”

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 artistic rendering of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 artistic rendering of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

The redevelopment includes an internal courtyard, a mews through the centre of the site, and a widening of the Fleming Street that improves its public realm.

Residents will have access to a large amenity garden on the rooftop of the tower — complete with amenities such as a children’s play area, urban agriculture, and dining and lounge areas.

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 artistic rendering of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 artistic rendering of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

Altogether, the proponents are calling for a total floor area of 167,536 sq. ft., creating a floor space ratio density of 2.5 times the size of the lot.

Two underground levels will provide 261 vehicle parking stalls and 199 bike parking spaces.

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 artistic rendering of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 artistic rendering of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 artistic rendering of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 artistic rendering of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 artistic rendering of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 artistic rendering of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 artistic rendering of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 artistic rendering of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 artistic rendering of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

1503 Kingsway Vancouver Rona

June 2019 site plan of 1503 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Rositch Hemphill Architects / Cressey Development)

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Kenneth ChanKenneth Chan

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