Royal Centre in Vancouver to see major renovation with new restaurant space

Artistic rendering of the office plaza entrance upgrade at Royal Centre in Vancouver. (Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership/Warrington PCI Management)

After many years of planning with various concepts, a major renovation and commercial space expansion will be undertaken for the base of the Royal Centre in downtown Vancouver.

This is an overhaul of the mid-block plaza space for the 1973-built, 37-storey office tower at 1055 West Georgia Street.

Currently, the plaza space for the office tower’s lobby entrance features some large planters with trees. This space will be improved by a new overhead glass-covered canopy and new pavers, along with a 50% expansion of the lobby footprint — enclosed with new impressive structural glass walls for a fresh contemporary look. The lobby will also feature a 1,700 sq ft cafe.

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On the west side of the plaza area, where the existing underground entrance into the Royal Centre mall is located, there will be a new two-storey commercial podium addition for a 9,000 sq ft restaurant, which will also feature a 4,600 sq ft outdoor patio on its rooftop overlooking West Georgia Street.

Existing condition:

Existing condition of the Royal Centre plaza. (Google Maps)

Future condition:

Artistic rendering of the office plaza entrance upgrade at Royal Centre in Vancouver. (Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership/Warrington PCI Management)

The restaurant tenant has yet to be announced, but such uses for the space have been envisioned since the 2000s.

Construction is underway for completion by late 2025.

Existing condition:

Existing condition of the Royal Centre plaza. (Google Maps)

Future condition:

Artistic rendering of the office plaza entrance upgrade at Royal Centre in Vancouver. (Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership/Warrington PCI Management)

“We are thrilled to be revitalizing a part of the Downtown core. Royal Centre (Re)envisioned is an ambitious two-year, multimillion-dollar project that promises to redefine Downtown Vancouver,” said Lorna Park, senior vice-president of property management for Warrington PCI Management, in a statement.

“The introduction of a striking pavilion with an extensive glass rain canopy, new landscaping and modern lighting will serve as a focal point, enhancing connectivity between retailers, offices and restaurants. This includes continued access to transit, acknowledging the evolving needs of our community.”

This upgrade is based on a portion of the pre-pandemic 2019 design concept for a broader renovation of the Royal Centre area that includes a complete overhaul and expansion of Royal Bank’s pavilion building, but the expanded upgrade component is not part of the current project. The project’s architectural design firm is Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership.

Original concept for an upgrade of the entire Royal Centre precinct:

Royal Centre 1025-1055 West Georgia Street Vancouver

Artistic rendering of the expanded and upgraded Royal Centre at 1025-1055 West Georgia Street, Vancouver. (Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership/PCI Development/Royal Centre Inc.)

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