It will outstrip One Wall Centre across the street by seven floors.

When completed, the proposed 57-storey tower at the corner Burrard and Nelson streets will become one of the tallest buildings in Vancouver.

The development will rise to 556 feet, a height comparable to Living Shangri-la’s 659 feet, and Trump International Hotel and Tower Vancouver’s 616 feet.

Last Wednesday (July 26), city council approved the proposed project in the face of opposition from a number of residents in the West End neighbourhood.

The project is a joint undertaking by Westbank Projects Corp. and the First Baptist Church of Vancouver.

The development will take place at the northwest corner of Burrard and Nelson streets, where the church has been located for over a century.

The project also includes a seven-storey rental building, and the rehabilitation of the church.

Residents opposed to the development described it as one example of “excess”.

A media release issued by locals Mike Jensen and Gilbert Dizon noted that these “excesses are epitomized in the requested rezoning increases”.

According to them, the rezoning will quadruple the floor space allowed, and double the maximum height intended for the site.

The 57-storey condo tower will contain 331 units. The seven-storey rental building will have 61 units.

A statement issued on behalf of the project’s proponents noted that the development “supports the West End Community Plan which identifies the Burrard Street corridor for higher density and height”.

The statement also noted that the project “corresponds to many City policies, including a focus on sustainability and superior urban design for taller buildings”.