784 homes and new recreation centre proposed for Harry Jerome Lands

Mar 10 2018, 2:39 pm

North Vancouver could receive a new major community and recreational centre funded by the developer of a significant mixed-use redevelopment.

Darwin Properties has submitted a rezoning application and Official Community Plan amendment to the City of North Vancouver to redevelop the Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands (HJNL).

The area consists of an L-shaped south parcel – the HJNL – occupied by existing community and recreational facilities and a rectangular-shaped north parcel with Centennial Theatre, Norseman Park, Lonsdale Skate Park, and ground-level parking.

Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands North Vancouver

The south parcel is the site of the Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands redevelopment and the north parcel is the site of the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre. (Perkins + Will / Darwin Properties)

Under a proposed agreement, Darwin Properties will lease the south parcel from the City for a 99-year term, which will provide the municipal government with $190 million for the construction of new recreational and community facilities on the north parcel and $20 million for non-recreational amenities and improvements on the south parcel.

All of this is in addition to $27-million from the value of the on-site public amenities on the HJNL.

South parcel: mixed-use redevelopment

The south parcel is bounded by East 23rd to the north, Lonsdale Avenue to the west, East 21st Street and East 22nd Street to the south, and Eastern Avenue and St. Georges Avenue to the east.

This 7.2-acre site is currently home to Harry Jerome Community Recreational Centre, North Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club, Silver Harbour Centre, Memorial Community Recreational Centre, and Crickmay Park. All of these buildings and spaces, except for the park, will be demolished to make way for the redevelopment.

The developer’s proposal, designed by Perkins + Will, calls for two 26-storey towers reaching 243 ft in height plus three six-storey buildings and one-five storey building.

Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands North Vancouver

Model of the Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands redevelopment. (Perkins + Will / Darwin Properties)

Over 720,000 sq. ft. of floor area will be dedicated to residential uses – for a total of 784 homes.

The unit mix is 30 studio units, 371 one-bedroom units, 340 two-bedroom units, and 43 three-bedroom units. A variety of housing types are envisioned, such as non-market housing units, leasehold strata units, market rental units, mid-market rental units, and market ownership.

Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands North Vancouver

Artistic rendering of the Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands redevelopment. (Perkins + Will / Darwin Properties)

Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands North Vancouver

Artistic rendering of the Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands redevelopment, with the new community and recreational centre in the background. (Perkins + Will / Darwin Properties)

Even more residential could be built if an alternate plan with more density – a height increase of one tower to 32 storeys and a total of 840 units – is approved by City Council. Additional density may be required in order for the project to achieve the objectives of supporting the costs of both the new recreation centre and on-site community amenities.

The City is also contemplating acquiring 80 units for non-market housing purposes at a cost of $15 million and a childcare facility with 37 spaces for $5 million, which will both be initially funded by the developer.

Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands North Vancouver

Artistic rendering of the Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands redevelopment. (Perkins + Will / Darwin Properties)

Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands North Vancouver

Artistic rendering of the Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands redevelopment. (Perkins + Will / Darwin Properties)

A commercial component is incorporated into the project, with 21,400 sq. ft. of retail slated for the lower floors.

As well, about 900 parking stalls and nearly 1,300 bike parking stalls are proposed for underground levels.

Along the parcel’s western edge on Lonsdale Avenue, there will be increased park space by 1.6 acres for a new total of three acres and an extension and integration of the City’s Green Necklace pathway system.

Overall, a density of 2.28 or 2.5 times the size of the parcel area (FSR) could be built for the redevelopment.

Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands North Vancouver

Site plan of the Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands redevelopment. (Perkins + Will / Darwin Properties)

North parcel: new community and recreational centre

A new developer-funded Harry Jerome Community Recreational Centre will be built on the seven-acre north parcel, which is framed by Lonsdale Avenue to the west, Upper Levels Highway to the north, St. Georges Avenue to the east, and East 23rd Street to the south.

Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands North Vancouver

Artistic rendering of the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre. (City of North Vancouver)

Most of the parcel is currently occupied by Norseman Park and ground-level parking.

Centennial Theatre, located on the southwest corner of the site, will be retained and incorporated into the parcel’s new campus of community and recreational facilities.

Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands North Vancouver

Artistic rendering of the Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands redevelopment, with the new community and recreational centre in the background. (Perkins + Will / Darwin Properties)

Preliminary plans for the massive $190-million public facility include:

  • aquatic centre with 50-metre swimming pool, leisure pool, hot tubs, steam room and sauna
  • ice hockey rink with 500 spectator seats
  • curling facility
  • fitness centre
  • gymnasiums
  • spaces for young children and their families
  • multipurpose rooms and social spaces for gathering and casual activities
  • youth centre
  • outdoor sports courts
  • new replacement facility for Silver Harbour Seniors Activity Centre
  • new replacement outdoor skatepark with a covering
  • new lawn bowling club and greens at the Mickey McDoougall site as the replacement facility for North Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club
  • 600 underground parking stalls

The City of North Vancouver is still engaged in an early-stage planning process for the new recreation centre. It has yet to receive City Council’s approval.

Overall plan

Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands North Vancouver

Layout of the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre. (City of North Vancouver)

Underground P1

Layout of the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre. (City of North Vancouver)

Ground Level

Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands North Vancouver

Layout of the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre. (City of North Vancouver)

Level 2

Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands North Vancouver

Layout of the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre. (City of North Vancouver)

Level 3

Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands North Vancouver

Layout of the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre. (City of North Vancouver)

Level 4

Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands North Vancouver

Layout of the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre. (City of North Vancouver)

See also
Kenneth ChanKenneth Chan

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