A 10-storey mixed-use redevelopment is proposed for a site directly across from the Rio Theatre, near the northwest corner of the intersection of East Broadway and Commercial Drive.

The municipal government is still considering a rezoning application that will allow the construction of a new 106 ft. tall building at 1619-1651 East Broadway, replacing a three-storey residential building and a separate adjacent vacant property.

The proposed redevelopment site at 1619-1651 East Broadway, Vancouver. (IBI Group Architects)

Currently, the proposal entails a total of 93 residential units, including 47 secured market rental units, and 46 market strata units. This translates to 30 studio units, 30 one-bedroom units, 26 two-bedroom units, and seven three-bedroom units.

The ground-floor will also offer a single commercial unit with an area of 5,245 sq. ft.. To support the residences and business, there will be 75 underground parking spaces and 117 bike parking spaces.

Artistic rendering of the proposed redevelopment at 1619-1651 East Broadway, Vancouver. (IBI Group Architects)

Overall, the project will have a floor area of 63,000 sq. ft. on the 15,700 sq. ft. site, giving the building a floor space ratio (FSR) density of 4.0 FSR.

The site is just one block away from the major Commercial-Broadway Station transit hub and is being considered under the City’s Grandview-Woodland Community Plan, which is expected to spur considerable redevelopment in the neighbourhood over the coming years.

So far, the largest project proposed to date in the immediate area is the redevelopment of the Safeway site next to the SkyTrain station with four towers reaching up to 24 storeys in height.

Artistic rendering of the proposed redevelopment at 1619-1651 East Broadway, Vancouver. The proposed Safeway redevelopment is also depicted. (IBI Group Architects)

Artistic rendering of the proposed redevelopment at 1619-1651 East Broadway, Vancouver. The proposed Safeway redevelopment is also depicted. (IBI Group Architects)

Artistic rendering of the troposed redevelopment of Safeway at Commercial-Broadway Station. (Bing Thom Architects / Westbank Projects / Crombie REIT)

Artistic rendering of the troposed redevelopment of Safeway at Commercial-Broadway Station. (Bing Thom Architects / Westbank Projects / Crombie REIT)

See also

• Crowdfunding campaign launched to raise $1.5M to save The Rio Theatre
• 'Vertical village' proposed for Commercial-Broadway Station's Safeway redevelopment
• New plaza over Grandview Cut envisioned for Commercial-Broadway Station
• Old Tom Lee Music building to become 70,000 sq. ft. co-working office
• Rental homes and retail to replace The Black Lodge restaurant on Kingsway
• Kitsilano Salvation Army thrift store to be redeveloped into rental housing