Real Estate

Vancouver city council sends Oakridge mega development to public hearings

by Travis Lupick on February 19th, 2014 at 10:41 AM
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      The ball is rolling on plans to turn Oakridge Mall into Vancouver’s next mixed-use mini-city.

      Yesterday (February 19), Vancouver city council voted to send plans for a $1.5 billion development on the Canada Line to public hearings.

      IVANHOE CAMBRIDGE / WESTBANK PROJECTS CORPORATION

      The project consists of large commercial spaces, office buildings, a civic centre, underground parking, a rooftop park, and towers more than 45 stories tall housing 2,914 condominiums, including 290 marked as social housing.

      It’s proposed by Ivanhoe Cambridge and development partner Westbank Projects Corporation, and planned for a 28-acre site at Cambie Street and 41st Avenue.

      Documents outlining project specifics state that developers plan on increasing the site’s density from a floor space ratio of 2 to 3.5. The mixed-use development’s location at the juncture of the Canada Line and the 41st Avenue bus route will help limit automobile congestion in the area, according to the proposal.

      IVANHOE CAMBRIDGE / WESTBANK PROJECTS CORPORATION

      Public hearings concerning the application for rezoning will be held during the run up to the November 2014 civil election. Dates for consultation meetings have yet to be scheduled.

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      Travis Lupick

      @tlupick

      In one capacity or another, Travis Lupick has been associated with the newspaper since he was 15 years old. Having joined the Straight's editorial department in 2006, Travis quickly gained a reputation as the office's resident workaholic and hopeless caffeine junkie.

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      Comments

      3 Comments

      Nelson100

      Feb 19, 2014 at 12:02pm

      As everyone in Vancouver is well aware, there is no such thing as a public hearing under Vision Vancouver. What will occur is a piece of theatre. This poorly designed Metrotown imitation will be shredded by the local community, but praised as a green piece of architectural genius by the well funded lobby team representing those who will make millions from its construction. The Vision council will rubber stamp automatically it as soon as the embarrassing sham comes to an end. Oakridge, it is not too late to get this eyesore under control, but you are going to have to come out and vote next election.

      Optimist

      Feb 19, 2014 at 10:08pm

      Looks like a pretty awesome development. I'm all for it!

      Mr.Green

      Feb 23, 2014 at 10:53pm

      2900 units and a doubling of parking spaces. I notice the drawing shows three or four cars on the road. This is no green project. I agree added density is needed. Cambie and 41st will have a multitude of new four to six storey buildings and provide plenty of new housing. The City of Vancouver can't afford to pay for these mega development costs, sewers, water treatment ect. City council is ensuring a large new debt will be left to our children. Calling roof top gardens public parks is an insult to our children. I agree Oakridge is in need of an update perhaps it should be sold to a developer that cares about the city not just how much profit can be made. I would prefer we wait than make a mistake our children will be left with. I have yet to meet anyone who moved to Vancouver because of the high rises that have been built. Soon it will be impossible to see the mountains as the views will be blocked by mountain sized towers.