Condo and hotel tower could be built atop old Post Office building in Vancouver
A report going to Vancouver city council next Wednesday (May 13) includes some clues as to how the city’s massive central Post Office could soon transform into a mixed-use complex consisting of commercial, office, and residential elements.
An office component would face West Georgia Street and include a plaza with a “significant addition to the city’s downtown public spaces”. Market-rate condos will also be considered. Those would take the form of towers. The redevelopment could also include a hotel and restaurant.
The report notes that while the site is zoned for a development height of up to 450 feet, some sections of the property include additional restrictions. Two view corridors should limit buildings to a height of 225 feet and the southwest corner should not exceed 285 feet.
The city’s report is a response to a development inquiry filed by Bentall Kennedy, the company responsible for Vancouver’s Bentall 5 tower between Burrard and Hornby streets, among others.
According to the report, Bentall Kennedy’s submission states any development would retain “most” of the original Post Office building.
“The existing Post Office building would contain retail, office, hotel, residential lobbies and the blank granite walls would be modified to provide for pedestrian-oriented at-grade retail,” it states. A tower would be built on top of the existing structure, “consisting of an office, hotel, and a mix of rental and condominium housing”.
The property in question lies in the heart of the downtown core. Directly across Georgia Street lies the Vancouver Public Library’s central branch and east across Hamilton Street there sits the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, with its outdoor plaza where opera and ballet fans enjoy pre-show drinks.
The Post Office was constructed in 1958. It was sold in January 2013 with the understanding it would be redeveloped as a mixed-use property. For a time, the Vancouver Art Gallery was looking into taking over the site. That idea was eventually abandoned.
The May 13 staff report states heritage retention is “one of the major drivers” for the project proposed. It recommends council inform Bentall Kennedy the city is “willing to consider” a rezoning application that would allow for the proposed development of the Post Office site.
Comments
5 Comments
Jiff
May 6, 2015 at 2:54pm
Why not? And then put a tower on top of the tower. Put a tower on top of the library too. And on the Queen E. With a zipline connecting them.
Jon Q. Publik
May 6, 2015 at 4:45pm
@Jiff
The sarcasm is strong in this one. But I think your zipline idea has merit - if/when the transit referendum fails we should just install ziplines everywhere instead. Much more economical and likely faster too.
Xander Davis
May 6, 2015 at 5:54pm
And why not close the Queen E Theatres also, and link to a massive 3-blocks monolith along Georgia Street, filling in Larwill Park now that the VAG is not moving there, but staying put.
Granville Street is dead. Lets liven up the 100-300 Georgia Street blocks.
LMAO
May 7, 2015 at 10:15am
Any one who didn't consider this possibility has an astoundingly weak mind. The PO building was designed to take a 12 storey tower on top where that 2 or 3 storey bit is now so this was always going to be the outcome.
donors get their way
May 7, 2015 at 11:24am
Bentall Kennedy is a regular campaign contributor to the party with the majority on Council. So should it be a surprise that the staff recommendation is to redevelop the site with towers? Simple Cause & Effect – or in this town it's just Cause & Affect.