The City of Vancouver ordinarily only approves buildings up to 450 feet high in the downtown core.

But in rare circumstances, taller buildings of 550 to 700 feet will be considered if they're in the central business district and/or they're on the city's widest streets. Buildings that are 500 feet tall may be permitted at the Granville and Burrard bridgeheads. 

These are referred to as "gateway landmark" buildings—and there could be one coming to the corner of West Georgia and Pender streets.

"A rezoning inquiry was received proposing a 44 storey (approximately 515 ft. or 166 m) residential tower with approximately 250,000 square feet of residential floor area," a city staff report states. "Staff see merit for this site as a prominent gateway site with a unique built form that could achieve a number of urban design and public benefit objectives."

Last year, the Shenzhen, China–based Brilliant Circle Group Investments Ltd. bought the site. It's home to the former Buschlen Mowatt gallery in the 1400 block of West Georgia Street.

That's on the westernmost edge of the central business district "shoulder", where discretionary building heights of 500 feet may be allowed under the city's policy.

Since the late 1980s, towers in the area have been built up to a height of 330 feet, or 37 storeys.

"There are two Council-approved public View Cones crossing the site," the staff report states. "The Queen Elizabeth View Cone (a public view from the top of Little Mountain) to an elevation of approximately 440 ft. (134.7 m) and Granville Bridge View Cone at an elevation of approximately 515 ft. (166 m)."

At the city finance and services meeting, council will vote on a staff recommendation to accept the rezoning application.

In addition, staff recommended that if the director of planning recommends that it be referred to a public hearing, then the city's policy for higher buildings be amended to include 1445-1455 West Georgia Street as a location to be considered for a "gateway landmark building".