Plaza of Nations redevelopment at False Creek will be built in three phases

2019 artistic rendering of the Plaza of Nations redevelopment. (James Cheng Architects / KPMB Architects / PFS Studio / Canadian Metropolitan Properties)

With its terraced landscaping resembling “urban mountains,” the mixed-use redevelopment of the Plaza Nations in Northeast False Creek greatly parts ways from Vancouver’s standard tower design.

Local architect James Cheng and developer Canadian Metropolitan Properties recently submitted their development application to the municipal government for the 10.3-acre redevelopment of the former BC Pavilion of the Expo ’86 World’s Fair.

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This follows city council’s approval in July 2018 of the project’s rezoning application, which will provide a staggering $325.5 million in community amenity contributions (CACs), largely in the form of in-kind value through on-site development.

At 750 Pacific Boulevard, there will be approximately 2.1 million sq. ft. of total floor area, including 1.6 million sq. ft. of residential space, providing homes for thousands of people. This includes 380 social housing units within the lower levels of the two largest buildings, facing Pacific Boulevard and BC Place Stadium.

2019 artistic rendering of the Plaza of Nations redevelopment. (James Cheng Architects / KPMB Architects / PFS Studio / Canadian Metropolitan Properties)

2019 site plan of the Plaza of Nations redevelopment. (James Cheng Architects / KPMB Architects / PFS Studio / Canadian Metropolitan Properties)

Within the lower levels around the central plaza and waterside public spaces, there will be 350,000 sq. ft. of commercial space, entailing retail, restaurant, and brewery space on the ground level that will help form a lively entertainment district, as well as larger commercial spaces up to 42,000 sq. ft. within several levels above.

The civic centre portion in the lower levels of the northeast building includes a 17,000-sq-ft music venue on the ground level, a 30,000-sq-ft ice rink facility on the third level with 390 grandstand seats, a daycare facility on the sixth level with lower rooftop play space, and a dedicated community centre space of 34,000 sq. ft. spread over four levels.

The ice rink is a partnership with the Vancouver Canucks, which will use the rink as its new purpose-built practice facility. The team’s ice time is typically only in the morning, and when the team is not on the ice, the rink will be open for community and public use.

Additionally, the Canucks will occupy about 25,000 sq. ft. of commercial floor area spread over three levels, including 8,530 sq. ft. of space next to the ice rink for a sports medicine facility, which will be available to the public when not in use by the athletes.

2019 site plan of the Plaza of Nations redevelopment. (James Cheng Architects / KPMB Architects / PFS Studio / Canadian Metropolitan Properties)

The latest step of the city’s review process indicates the project will be constructed in three phases, with the westernmost half of the site built in the first phase, the northeastern parcel of the site containing civic and recreational facilities built in the second phase, and a parcel along the water at the southeast corner built in the third phase.

There is no indication of the overall timeline for the project at this time.

2019 site plan of the Plaza of Nations redevelopment. (James Cheng Architects / KPMB Architects / PFS Studio / Canadian Metropolitan Properties)

As for the very extensive public realm, a grand public staircase in the southeast building leads to a publicly accessible viewing platform and green rooftop space, which is directly connected to the civic centre building by a public pedestrian bridge.

Seating platforms along the sloping staircase also double as an amphitheatre for events held in the public plaza below, potentially including a floating performance stage at water’s edge.

Artistic rendering of the Plaza of Nations redevelopment. (James Cheng Architects / KPMB Architects / PFS Studio / Canadian Metropolitan Properties)

2019 artistic rendering of the Plaza of Nations redevelopment. (James Cheng Architects / KPMB Architects / PFS Studio / Canadian Metropolitan Properties)

A central north-south plaza, stretching through the site from BC Place Stadium to the extended seawall and lined with retail and restaurants, will be partially covered to better ensure it can be used as a year-round space for events.

“The terraced typology of the Plaza of Nations provides a unique opportunity to provide a diversity of expressions while enhancing the City of Vancouver skyline,” reads the design rationale, which notes the forms of the two largest buildings have preserved some of the views of BC Place’s iconic roof.

“The base building is diversified in terms of scale and character and directly responds to the varying character zones of the public realm. Furthermore, the Civic Centre provides an anchor for the block with great scale and identity. Retail anchors are proposed at the corners on each individual block along Pacific Boulevard and contrast the smaller-scale retail facades on the water’s edge and local streets.”

The development components of Northeast False Creek Plan also entail a residential rental tower at the southeast corner of BC Place, which had its rezoning application approved by city council in July 2018 as well, but with conditions. The largest component of the Northeast False Creek Plan is Concord Pacific’s project east of the Plaza of Nations, but its rezoning application has yet to be considered by city council.

As of July 1, 2018, following the rezoning approval, the Plaza of Nations property had an assessed value of $535 million — up from $365 million in the previous year.

2019 artistic rendering of the Plaza of Nations redevelopment. (James Cheng Architects / KPMB Architects / PFS Studio / Canadian Metropolitan Properties)

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