Vancouver tower proposal combines social housing and mental health supports | Daily Hive

Major Vancouver tower proposal combines social housing and mental health supports in ambitious new model

Concept of 259-293 East 11th Ave. and 216 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Diamond Schmitt Architects/Coast Mental Health)

Through a major mixed-use development project, Coast Mental Health (CMH) has big plans to make a meaningful dent in addressing Metro Vancouver’s mental health crisis, which is, of course, also directly linked to the opioid crisis, with over 80 per cent of people with a substance use disorder also having mental illness.

The non-profit organization has submitted a rezoning application to redevelop 259-293 East 11th Avenue and 216 Kingsway — the northwest corner of the intersection of East 11th Avenue and Kingsway, situated just kitty corner from Kingsgate Mall and a five-minute walk from SkyTrain’s future Mount Pleasant Station.

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The development site is a land assembly of seven lots, including surface vehicle parking lots, low-rise commercial buildings, and a building with CMH’s headquarters and Clubhouse with educational and employment resources.

Part of the project’s design concept to establish the 39,300 sq. ft. land footprint also involves buying publicly-owned lands — the City of Vancouver’s Sophia Street segment and traffic island at the intersection corner.

259-293 East 11th Avenue 216 Kingsway Vancouver Coast Mental Health

Walking distance from SkyTrain’s Mount Pleasant Station; site of 259-293 East 11th Ave. and 216 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Google Maps)

Site of 259-293 East 11th Ave. and 216 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Diamond Schmitt Architects/Coast Mental Health)

Concept of 259-293 East 11th Ave. and 216 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Diamond Schmitt Architects/Coast Mental Health)

Existing condition:

Site of 259-293 East 11th Ave. and 216 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Google Maps)

Future condition:

Concept of 259-293 East 11th Ave. and 216 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Diamond Schmitt Architects/Coast Mental Health)

The project generally aligns with the prescriptions and stipulations of the City of Vancouver’s Broadway Plan. Conceptual artistic renderings of the project also show the potential future tower heights and forms in the surrounding area, in accordance with the area plan.

CMH is looking to build a 334-foot-tall, 29-storey tower, with attached base podiums reaching seven storeys and 11 storeys.

Levels three through 29 would be dedicated to residential uses, with 364 mixed-income social housing units for individuals with mental health challenges who are capable of independent living. The social housing would be prioritized for low-income families — especially single parents with children — as well as low-income seniors and people transitioning out of long-term care.

The unit size mix would consist of 109 studio units, 157 one-bedroom units, 67 two-bedroom units, 27 three-bedroom units, and four four-bedroom units. Residents would have access to extensive indoor and outdoor amenity spaces, including extensive outdoor areas on the rooftops of both base podiums.

Separately, a portion of the seventh level would be set aside for 17 assisted living units for individuals with mental health challenges who cannot live independently, with 24/7 support services provided to them.

The first two levels of the complex would be used for CMH operations, programs, and services, including: 11,100 sq. ft. for office space; 12,000 sq. ft. for the Recovery and Support Centre with one-on-one psychosocial rehabilitation and employment support services, non-clinical programs, and meal services in a large dining hall; 8,600 sq. ft. for the Community Health Centre with clinical services; and 8,500 sq. ft. for the Community Hub as a socializing, gathering, and multi-purpose neighbourhood event space.

As well, 13,100 sq. ft. of retail/restaurant space fronting Kingsway would be leased to commercial enterprises compatible with a recovery-oriented environment and contribute to an active street presence, such as the possibility of relocating CMH’s social-purpose cafe and catering business to these spaces.

Concept of 259-293 East 11th Ave. and 216 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Diamond Schmitt Architects/Coast Mental Health)

Ground-level floor plan; concept of 259-293 East 11th Ave. and 216 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Diamond Schmitt Architects/Coast Mental Health)

Fronting the laneway, on the ground level, there would be an internal landscaped courtyard — a semi-public, garden-like space as an extension of the Community Hub’s indoor area.

According to the application, CMH believes the project would improve long-term housing stability for residents, support better mental and physical health outcomes, reduce social isolation, foster a greater sense of belonging, and enhance overall quality of life.

The organization also asserts that the development would lead to fewer emergency department visits and hospitalizations, reduce reliance on crisis, shelter, and justice systems, lower long-term public costs through prevention-based supports, increase awareness of the value of integrating housing and healthcare services, help reduce stigma surrounding mental illness and addictions, and improve coordination between housing, health, and community care providers.

CMH intends to turn this project into a model example to follow — “a positive, well-managed community asset” that demonstrates “how inclusive housing can strengthen the fabric of the city rather than strain it.” They believe the project could serve as a blueprint for future affordable housing developments for people with mental health challenges.

The project would show that mental health support should not be limited to moments of crisis, and that people living with mental illness do not need to be separated from the broader community. Instead, the organization argues that designing communities around “dignity, prevention, and connection” benefits everyone, while making mental health “something we support together, through the places we build and the communities we create.”

Concept of 259-293 East 11th Ave. and 216 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Diamond Schmitt Architects/Coast Mental Health)

This particular location is also deemed to be highly strategic, as it is close to but far enough from the Downtown Eastside.

With the distance away from the Downtown Eastside, the application states that “this geographic balance reduces exposure to triggers, supports recovery, stability, destigmatization, and community integration, and allows access to services, without requiring people to live in proximity to crisis. Few sites can offer this balance of both access and distance, combined with the accessibility offered by outstanding transit services. As such, CMH’s current site makes their vision for a campus-based model feasible in a way most sites cannot.”

Additionally, it is also in close proximity to Vancouver General Hospital and the new St. Paul’s Hospital campus.

The total building floor area would reach about 395,000 sq. ft., establishing a floor area ratio density of a floor area that is 10 times the size of the land area. Three underground levels would accommodate 123 vehicle parking stalls. As well, 681 secured bike parking spaces would be provided.

CMH worked with Diamond Schmitt Architects to achieve this project concept. The project would be funded by CMH, the provincial government through BC Housing, and philanthropy.

If all goes as planned with the rezoning, development permit, and building permit processes, construction could begin in 2028 for completion in 2031.

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