Four-storey building with homes and retail proposed near Langara-49th Avenue Station

Nov 5 2020, 12:21 am

Three-single family lots on the city block where the entrance for SkyTrain’s Langara-49th Avenue Station is located could be redeveloped into a new 59-ft-tall, four-storey mixed-use redevelopment.

A development application has been submitted by Winston Chong Architects for 319-359 West 49th Avenue — immediately west of Langara YMCA and Langara College.

The existing properties were built between 1926 and 1985, with available records showing the two lots at either end of the land assembly were sold in 2017 for $3.9 million and $5.3 million, respectively.

319-359 West 49th Avenue Vancouver

Site of 319-359 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver. (Google Maps)

319-359 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver

Site of 319-359 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver. (Google Maps)

The development application carries an improved design compared to the rezoning application that was approved by Vancouver City Council in December 2019.

There will be 63 condominium homes, including 16 two-bedroom units and six three-bedroom units, as well as 7,800 sq. ft. of commercial space, providing West 49th Avenue with retail frontage — completing a segment of the new retail strip along the street between Cambie Street and Ontario Street.

Residents will have access to an indoor amenity space on the ground level, and an outdoor amenity deck on the rooftop.

2018 rezoning design:

319-359 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver

2018 artistic rendering of 319-359 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver. (Matthew Cheng Architects)

Updated 2020 development application design:

319-359 West 49th Avenue Vancouver

2020 artistic rendering of 319-359 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver. (Winston Chong Architect)

319-359 West 49th Avenue Vancouver

2020 artistic rendering of 319-359 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver. (Winston Chong Architect)

319-359 West 49th Avenue Vancouver

2020 artistic rendering of 319-359 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver. (Winston Chong Architect)

According to the architect, the design “is achieved through a simplicity of geometry, the use of well proportioned, clean, cubic volumes as well as regularly sized windows, repeating motifs and unifying design elements. The language of wood lends a solidity and durability which helps anchor the development within this new context.”

Two underground levels will accommodate 65 vehicle parking stalls and 118 bike parking spaces. The total floor area is 90,000 sq. ft., offering a floor space ratio density of 2.5 times the size of the 21,662-sq-ft lot.

319-359 West 49th Avenue Vancouver

2020 artistic rendering of 319-359 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver. (Winston Chong Architect)

319-359 West 49th Avenue Vancouver

2020 artistic rendering of 319-359 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver. (Winston Chong Architect)

319-359 West 49th Avenue Vancouver

2020 artistic rendering of 319-359 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver. (Winston Chong Architect)

319-359 West 49th Avenue Vancouver

2020 artistic rendering of 319-359 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver. (Winston Chong Architect)

Under the city’s Cambie Corridor Plan, the eastern half of this city block can be developed with buildings up to four storeys. The western half of the city block, closest to the Canada Line entrance building, can reach up to 11 storeys, but there is currently a proposal that seeks to reallocate density for a taller tower of 14 storeys. The area’s tallest future buildings are all slated closest to the station.

Last week in a public hearing, city council approved a rezoning application for a four-storey residential and retail building one block to the east at the northwest corner of the intersection of West 49th Avenue and Columbia Street.

427-477 West 49th Avenue Vancouver

Envisioned form of the city block of Canada Line’s Langara-49th Avenue Station, according to the Cambie Corridor Plan. (City of Vancouver)

Kenneth ChanKenneth Chan

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