Bold condo tower by Gensler coming to Burnaby's Metrotown area (RENDERINGS)

Artistic rendering of 5977 Wilson Avenue, Burnaby. (Gensler / Chris Dikeakos Architects / Bosa Properties)

This new tower with a bold, black-coloured motif in Burnaby’s Metrotown downtown intends to make quite the architectural statement. Although simple, it still stands far apart from the typical condominium tower design in the region.

It is designed by the New York City office of internationally-renowned architectural firm Gensler, a San Francisco-based company, with local firm Chris Dikeakos Architects acting as the local architect of record. Gensler is perhaps best known for designing Shanghai Tower, the world’s second-tallest building.

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The project at 5977 Wilson Avenue — located at the west side of the intersection of Wilson Avenue and Kemp Street, a five-minute walk from SkyTrain’s Patterson Station — is being developed by Bosa Properties.

Site of 5977 Wilson Avenue, Burnaby. (Google Maps)

A total of 356 homes will be contained within a 462-ft-tall, 42-storey tower, with a unit mix of 73 studios, 128 one-bedroom units, 146 two-bedroom units, and nine three-bedroom units, including six three-bedroom townhouse units. This includes 70 adaptable homes for people with mobility challenges.

The development site is currently occupied by a 1963-built, six-storey rental building with 62 homes, but the replacement units plus four new additional rental homes will be located at Bosa Properties’ 5994 Kathleen Avenue development, located just to the east.

Artistic rendering of 5977 Wilson Avenue, Burnaby. (Gensler / Chris Dikeakos Architects / Bosa Properties)

Indoor amenity spaces on the 19th level (left) and 18th level (right) at 5977 Wilson Avenue, Burnaby. (Gensler / Chris Dikeakos Architects / Bosa Properties)

Residents will have access to over 13,000 sq ft of indoor amenity space spread between the 17th and 18th levels, with the high-ceiling amenity space distinguished by a shifted box that provides a break to the rhythm of the dark, metal hollow box.

This indoor amenity space features an expansive swimming pool, whirlpool, fitness gym, wellness centre, lounge, game room, and access to a large outdoor terrace.

“The shifted amenity enclosure is a two-story curtain wall of water clear glass with aluminum vertical fins providing shading,” reads the architect’s design rationale.

“Within are various amenities for both the residents of the tower and townhouses, the interior materials facing the exterior are mostly wood, giving this element a warm contrast to the metal and glass expression of the residential mass.”

Artistic rendering of 5977 Wilson Avenue, Burnaby. (Gensler / Chris Dikeakos Architects / Bosa Properties)

Beyond this amenity box, the tower is dominated by its aluminum hollow box frame overlay.

“This frame or grid also gives order to a façade that places balconies and various window types working best with the apartment unit types,” continues the rationale.

“These two residential masses material wise are to be both quiet and distinctive. The frame is deep grey in colour, the glass a medium grey with very low reflectance, the slabs in between the deep grey frame are a lighter tone of grey. The balcony rails are clear glass.”

“We believe that the ultimate luxury living is one that follows concepts of Zen to Thoreau, a chance to be in touch with essence of existence. We believe what we design for the residents of this tower in Burnaby should be a sanctuary from the modern world. We are inspired by modern architecture about Timeless Simplicity.”

Layout of 5977 Wilson Avenue, Burnaby. (Gensler / Chris Dikeakos Architects / Bosa Properties)

Four underground levels will accommodate 392 vehicle parking stalls and 797 bike parking spaces.

The redevelopment’s total floor area is 291,000 sq ft, giving the project a floor area ratio (FAR) density of 5.39 times the size of its 54,000-sq-ft lot. This does not include 85,000 sq ft of floor area (1.57 FAR) for rental housing transferred to Bosa’s future Kathleen redevelopment.

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