[LeftCoaster]

Oxford just announced signing of an anchor tenant, which will see the building rebranded as MNP Tower.

Developer signs 'significant lease agreement' at 1021 West Hastings

VANCOUVER SUN JANUARY 31, 2012

More than two years before its scheduled completion date, the new, 35-storey office development at 1021 West Hastings has secured its first major tenant.

Oxford Properties Group, the real estate arm behind the development of the historic University and Quadra clubs in downtown Vancouver, announced Monday a "significant lease agreement" with the accounting and business management firm, MNP LLP.

Under the agreement, MNP will lease 72,000 square feet over nine floors. The building will also be rebranded the MNP Tower.

In a media release, MNP chief executive officer Daryl Ritchie said the move represents an expanded commitment to Vancouver as MNP expands into the marketplace.

Designed by architects Kohn Pederson Fox, the 275,000-sq.-ft office tower is scheduled to open in summer of 2014, one of several new office towers slated to be built in the down-town core in the coming years.

Law firm McCarthy Tétrault and engineers SNC Lavalin have signed on as primary tenants of a 365,000-sq.-ft development at 745 Thurlow St., due to begin construction shortly, while developers of the 400,000 sq.-ft. Telus Garden will break ground this spring.

Anthio Yuen, senior research analyst with the commercial real estate firm CBRE, said a tight, 3.4 per cent vacancy rate for office space - and a 1.4 per cent rate for premier space - has spurred on the development boom downtown.

"There is space and opportunity to be had. It's just about finding the right timing," he said.

http://www.vancouversun.com/business...113/story.html