Modern, arc-shaped tower with skybridge proposed for Vancouver

Dec 20 2017, 12:46 am

The northern foot of the Cambie Street Bridge could have a sleek-looking ‘gateway’ building if a new development proposal by Concord Pacific receives its necessary approvals.

The developer has submitted a formal application to construct a 288-foot-tall (88-metre) residential tower with 29 storeys at 89 Nelson Street, a site formerly used as a parking lot. The aptly-named ‘Arc’ building, designed by Vancouver-based Francl Architecture, features two towers nearly identical in height with a curvy form that bends inwards and outwards.

An eight-storey platform bridges the two buildings at the top, providing the crisp and clean-looking design with its most recognizable architectural element.

According to the rezoning application, a total of 588 residential units are planned for the project’s upper floors while the ground floor will be purposed for commercial purposes like retail and restaurant space. There will also be 520 underground parking spaces for the project.

This is Concord Pacific’s second design iteration for the site. A previous version designed by local architect James Cheng and approved by the municipal government featured two multi-coloured buildings nearly identical in height, paired together with three skybridge structures to form a single arc.

If the new design is approved, this will be Vancouver’s second tower with a multi-storey rooftop ‘bridge’ feature.

Onni Group’s brick-cladded Central project near Main Street-Science World Station incorporates an 8-storey skybridge over two buildings that are equal in height. But unlike the Arc, the bridge for Central is not ‘freestanding’ as it supported by visually obstructive pillars mid-span.

An early design for Canadian Metropolitan Properties’ plan to redevelop the Plaza of Nations site also includes a building with a multi-storey rooftop feature.

The Arc development site is adjacent to the 21-storey One Pacific, another Concord Pacific development, and $535-million Parq Vancouver urban casino resort. Both projects are currently under construction.

Previous design

Image: Concord Pacific

Image: Concord Pacific

New design

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Image: Francl Architecture

Onni Group’s Central (completed)

Image: Onni Group

Image: Onni Group

 

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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