Burnaby Updates

[red-paladin]

Originally Posted by logan5

...
It seems probable that at some point, Metrotown will be home to the regions tallest office tower. It's a certainty that Metrotown will have the tallest residential tower as well....

There are certainly some lots, like the south-west corner of Kingsway and Willingdown with the empty space and gas station, where office towers taller than the Metrotowers could be developed. As for tallest residential, it might end up in Brentwood or Metrotown, hard to say. Either way, I expect more 40+ story buildings of res, office, or mixed use in Metrotown in the future.

Thinking more about it, I expect every lot on the North side of Kingsway with one/two story buildings to be replaced, we expect the Sears site to be redeveloped, of course Station Square too. I had emailed asking if after Metrotower III there would be potential for the parking lots on the north side to be redeveloped into towers in the future, and I was told in the long run it was being considered. Then there is the Old Orchard Mall lot, pretty much everything on Berestford... and there are several old industrial lots to the south that are being replaced with town houses / midrise apartments. We know there are more plans for some of the mid rise rental blocks in the area too.. So I do think that there is a good possibility for tens of thousands of more people to be living in the area in 30 years.

[smho]

Rezoning proposal for 1735/1763 Douglas,1710 Gilmore (a.k.a. "Aviara II"):
https://burnaby.civicweb.net/Documen....aspx?ID=14112

* 52 storey hi-rise residential
* 4-6 storey low-rise buildings
* 595 total units

Also, there's a rezoning application for two residential hi-rises on the site between Silver and Modello. The applicant is Chris Dikeakos Architects on behalf of Rize Alliance Properties. The site is a consolidation four smaller sites totalling about 87,000 sq ft. No information on tower heights, but here's the link for those interested:
https://burnaby.civicweb.net/Documen....aspx?ID=14107

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by smho

Rezoning proposal for 1735/1763 Douglas,1710 Gilmore (a.k.a. "Aviara II"):
https://burnaby.civicweb.net/Documen....aspx?ID=14112

* 52 storey hi-rise residential
* 4-6 storey low-rise buildings
* 595 total units

Also, there's a rezoning application for two residential hi-rises on the site between Silver and Modello. The applicant is Chris Dikeakos Architects on behalf of Rize Alliance Properties. The site is a consolidation four smaller sites totalling about 87,000 sq ft. No information on tower heights, but here's the link for those interested:
https://burnaby.civicweb.net/Documen....aspx?ID=14107

Love to see some (hypothetical at this stage, of course) renders, esp for the 52-storey building.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by smho

Also, there's a rezoning application for two residential hi-rises on the site between Silver and Modello. The applicant is Chris Dikeakos Architects on behalf of Rize Alliance Properties. The site is a consolidation four smaller sites totalling about 87,000 sq ft. No information on tower heights, but here's the link for those interested:
https://burnaby.civicweb.net/Documen....aspx?ID=14107

This proposal would not only take the place of a 3 story walk-up on Beresford St., it would mean that another larger three story walk-up is destroyed, along with a couple of small 2 story walk-ups. It would be precedent setting for the Maywood neighborhood if this project is approved, and I think in a bad way because these walk-up apartments are the fuel for a vibrant neighborhood (because they are affordable for younger people). Burnaby is making a big mistake if they don't require projects like this to replace and even add to the stock of affordable housing.

As is usual for Metrotown, the FSR given for this site would be 5, so approximately 485 units would be built. Olympic Village is over 7 times greater in area, but would have only 2.3 x the amount of residential units (1100). Metrotown is becoming a very high density area.

[vansky]

now days a 52 looks as tall as a 30...

[VanK]

Originally Posted by logan5

This proposal would not only take the place of a 3 story walk-up on Beresford St., it would mean that another larger three story walk-up is destroyed, along with a couple of small 2 story walk-ups. It would be precedent setting for the Maywood neighborhood if this project is approved, and I think in a bad way because these walk-up apartments are the fuel for a vibrant neighborhood (because they are affordable for younger people). Burnaby is making a big mistake if they don't require projects like this to replace and even add to the stock of affordable housing.

As is usual for Metrotown, the FSR given for this site would be 5, so approximately 485 units would be built. Olympic Village is over 7 times greater in area, but would have only 2.3 x the amount of residential units (1100). Metrotown is becoming a very high density area.

This proposal is not setting a precedent as there have already been a few walk-ups torn down and replaced by towers in Maywood + more to come. The City of Burnaby is collecting money on the bonus density and setting aside for affordable housing & will eventually do something. The condition of some of these buildings in Maywood are pretty bad. Up for debate but 25 - 40% of units in towers like these are rented out - thus creating more rental stock. Sure not as affordable but more towers = more rental units = more affordability.

[yogiderek]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Love to see some (hypothetical at this stage, of course) renders, esp for the 52-storey building.

This is already on the top of a hill. It is going to stand out way above anything the towers on Lougheed highway. The view down first avenue will amazing.

[VanK]

Originally Posted by yogiderek

This is already on the top of a hill. It is going to stand out way above anything the towers on Lougheed highway. The view down first avenue will amazing.

Prime cemetery views.

[Arcsec]

Rezoning process has been started for a new development in Metrotown, replacing 4 low-rise apartment complexes on Cassie & McKay Ave with "two residential towers with a low-rise commercial/residential component".

Here is the area of the development:



This leaves only 4 low-rise apartments between Metroplace and Moda that are not at least in the rezoning process along that stretch of Beresford St.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Arcsec

Rezoning process has been started for a new development in Metrotown, replacing 4 low-rise apartment complexes on Cassie & McKay Ave with "two residential towers with a low-rise commercial/residential component".

This leaves only 4 low-rise apartments between Metroplace and Moda that are not at least in the rezoning process along that stretch of Beresford St.

Burnaby Now article on this project:

Metrotown's concrete jungle may get denser

Stefania Seccia / Burnaby Now
October 3, 2013 09:55 AM

Metrotown's growing concrete skyline may have a new addition if council gives the ultimate approval. A rezoning application being proposed by Chris Dikeakos Architects includes two 38-storey residential towers with a four-storey commercial and residential podium on the 6200-block of Cassie Ave. and 6300-block of McKay Ave. "It is noted that this commercial component, while not identified in the plan, is considered minor, desirable and supportable given the future direction articulatd for Beresford Street as a public art walk/celebratory street," the planning and building report states. "A key component of this development is the continuation of the urban design elements established for Beresford Street, including art installations, bench seating, rain gardens, distinct street and pedestrian lighting and an enhanced sidewalk treatment." The site is near the Expo SkyTrain line and civic square, according to the report. An "enhanced" east-west mews is proposed through the site, which will connect Cassie to McKay Avenue to "improve neighbourhood connectivity," the report states. All parking is proposed to go underground, as well. Council approved staff to work with the architect firm to prepare a plan that will get presented at a future public hearing. A more detailed report will also come before council, which will include how much the city could get from an amenity density bonus. When the rezoning application receives second reading, it will also amend the Metrotown Centre development plan to incorporate street front local commercial uses

http://www.burnabynow.com/metrotown-...enser-1.647635

And an article on the proposed 2nd Aviara tower (52 storeys)

http://www.burnabynow.com/highrise-w...ffers-1.654120

[Arcsec]

New Sears press release regarding their 7 tower development in Metrotown. They are partnering with Concord Pacific to develop the site.

[logan5]

Each subsequent major development in Burnaby is going to want the notoriety of having Burnaby's tallest, so by the time we get around to building the Sears redevelopment, we could be looking at Metro Van's tallest tower. Calculating the 8.9 acre Sears site at 5 FSR, you get nearly 2 million sq. ft. of residential space, which would translate to around 2000 units. If the 2 office towers come to fruition, this will be a heck of a busy area.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Arcsec

New Sears press release regarding their 7 tower development in Metrotown. They are partnering with Concord Pacific to develop the site.

Hopefully Concord gets as adventurous as they have been on some (but not all) of their Toronto CityPlace projects.

I wonder about Concord retaining and managing office space - they did a zoning swap for office lands where Spectrum now sits (next to Rogers Arena), then sold-off or opted for residential at the resulting office lands at the Cambie bridgehead.

[Arcsec]

Update on the MET II, the buildings on the development site @ 6530 and 6550 Nelson Ave in Metrotown have been vacated today and power has been cut, they are going to start preparing for demolition soon.

[hollywoodnorth]

RIP Dolphin Theatre in Burnaby

Heights may be sign of what's to come

However, the changes to the neighbourhood have also meant some losses, such as plans for a mixed-use development where the Dolphin Theatre now stands, she pointed out.

http://www.burnabynow.com/business/h...-come-1.780892

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

RIP Dolphin Theatre in Burnaby

Heights may be sign of what's to come

However, the changes to the neighbourhood have also meant some losses, such as plans for a mixed-use development where the Dolphin Theatre now stands, she pointed out.

http://www.burnabynow.com/business/h...-come-1.780892

I lived in Burnaby Heights for some time years back.
While I suppose all this should be considered good news, progress, and so forth, Burnaby Heights (to me) always had an unpretentious, genuine flavor and character.
I hope that that won't be chewed away.

[officedweller]

oops, wrong thread.

[xd_1771]

^ Oh, I have a lot to say about the idea that removing that HOV lane on Hastings is in any way a good idea. That seems just ridiculously stupid to me. They seem to obviously have no idea of how an HOV lane that also benefits transit, promotes transit ridership and through that promotes a pedestrian environment is a great idea. Removing it would slow down transit, deter ridership growth, add cars, and defeat the point. In the face of population growth and also the fact that there is no other usable east-west corridor for major traffic handling in the area or any reasonably fast major transit route, they need to rethink their planning, stat.

[officedweller]

Sears CEO talks a bit about the Metrotown project:

http://www.burnabynewsleader.com/news/245399281.html

[Tetsuo]

"new flagship Sears store, five mixed-use, high-density residential towers and two office towers on top of podiums containing retail and commercial space."

This is going to be interesting to watch.