Lululemon's new Vancouver headquarters continues to move forward

May 24 2020, 9:30 am

Four months after seeing its rezoning application approved by Vancouver City Council, Lululemon’s project to build a new global headquarters office in the False Creek Flats has moved to the next stage with the submission of the development application to the municipal government.

All elements and features of the design in the latest application phase are consistent with what was presented during rezoning. Proponents previously indicated they are targeting a construction start in September 2020.

The 210-ft-tall, 13-storey building at 1980 Foley Street — located on Great Northern Way, two blocks from either SkyTrain’s VCC-Clark Station or the future Millennium Line extension station at Thornton Street — will contain a total floor area of 518,000 sq. ft.

Designed by Morphosis Architects and Francl Architecture, the building is organized around a central atrium that creates unique communal spaces and allows natural light to pour in through a large skylight.

Office workers will have access to a number of outdoor terraces. On the ground level, a restaurant and company retail store are planned.

1980 Foley Street vancouver lululemon headquarters

Site plan of the new lululemon headquarters office at 1980 Foley Street, Vancouver. (Morphosis Architects / Francl Architecture / Brook Pooni & Associates / lululemon)

The building’s exterior facade features planters and a brise-soleil skin, comprising a series of interlocking shading fins that “float” over the structure on the faces that receive the most sun.

Extensive solar panels on the rooftop and naturally filtered fresh air systems are amongst the key features towards the pursuit for a certification standard of LEED Platinum, Living Building Challenge Petal, Well Platinum, and Zero Carbon Certification.

1980 foley street vancouver lululemon

May 2020 drawing of the new Lululemon headquarters at 1980 Foley Street, Vancouver. (Morphosis Architects / Francl Architecture / lululemon)

The development will create significant public realm enhancements to the area, including public plazas and landscape treatment on its eastern perimeter that commemorates the historic location of the buried China Creek. The preservation of a 15-metre-wide right-of-way will retain the city’s ability to daylight the creek in the future.

Five underground levels will accommodate over 810 vehicle parking stalls and 392 bike parking spaces.

1980 Foley Street vancouver lululemon headquarters

Site plan of the new lululemon headquarters office at 1980 Foley Street, Vancouver. (Morphosis Architects / Francl Architecture / Brook Pooni & Associates / lululemon)

When this “Store Support Centre” is complete, it will allow for the multinational athletic clothing retailer to consolidate its existing four offices scattered across the city, including the existing headquarters at the former Coca-Cola bottling plant at 1818 Cornwall Street in Kitsilano.

The new headquarters will initially become a hub for 2,000 workers, with expansion space for up to 4,000 employees by 2032.

Kenneth ChanKenneth Chan

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