In a bold move that could make even the staunchest of grocery shoppers do a double take, the Development Permit Board (DPB) of the City of Vancouver has greenlit a transformation of the beloved Safeway grocery store at the renowned West 4th Avenue retail strip. Hold onto your reusable shopping bags, folks—Kitsilano is getting a major makeover with a shiny new mid-rise, mixed-use rental housing and retail complex! It’s like the Amish decided to open a tech startup.
Last month, the project for 2315 West 4th Avenue—also known as 2308 West 3rd Avenue (because, why not make addresses a fun little puzzle?)—received unanimous approval from City staff. I mean, who wouldn’t unanimously support a project that promises to turn a parking lot into a minor skyscraper?
This 2.18-acre parcel of joy is nestled at the northwest corner of Vine Street and West 4th Avenue. Yes, this is just beyond the edge of the City’s Broadway Plan area (and don’t even get me started on how much broader that makes the Broadway area). The developers must have enlisted the help of a top-notch GPS!
Miraculously, the project did not require a rezoning application. Apparently, the universe aligned just right, and this grand proposal shadowed nicely under the existing zoning rules. Just to be clear, this is not the same Safeway that’s eyeing a facelift over on West Broadway at Macdonald Street. They’re playing a classic game of “who can be more trendy?”
Behind this urban renaissance are the masterminds of PCI Developments and LowTide Properties, twiddling their thumbs after purchasing the site for a casual $90 million in January 2024. If you have a couple of pennies left in your pocket, you might want to save them for a down payment on your new condo. The $90 million didn’t even include the cost of the delightful paperwork submitted in November 2024, because, of course, bureaucracy is an art form.
Now, let’s get into the beans: this project will feature 385 secured purpose-built market rental homes. Choose your journey: 72 studios for the avid millennials practicing minimalism, 176 one-bedrooms for those still pretending adulthood is a thing, 103 two-bedrooms for coupled up ‘adults’, and 24 three-bedrooms for families contemplating just how much IKEA furniture will fit. Oh, and let’s not forget the 10 townhome units that face the rear like an awkward neighbor at a party.
On top of that, we’re being blessed with a glorious new 42,000 sq. ft. Safeway—bigger than the existing store—combined with over 18,000 sq. ft. of retail/restaurant space. Because who doesn’t want more artisanal avocado toast or overpriced organic kale right in their face while they debate whether to get a salad or a sandwich? This is truly the utopia of overpriced living.
But wait, there’s more! With a plan stretching up to nine stories (what’s with all the height? Is there a prize for the tallest grocery store?), the development will also include a rooftop courtyard. Finally, a place to pretend to commune with nature while faking interest in the succulent your neighbor keeps forgetting to water. Amid this greenery, we’ll even spot a playful Volkswagen microbus embedded into the building façade as a “homage to Kitsilano’s hippie past.” Forget the coffee shop; it’s time to raise your fist in protest of overpriced rent!
Underground, a treasure trove of 388 vehicle parking stalls awaits—including 166 for commercial uses. It’s like a hidden dungeon of vehicular delight! The parkade entrance will be situated at the northeast corner, making it easier for cars to slip into this magical realm. And, as icing on the cake, there will be over 500 secured bike parking spots! Who needs a car when you can hold a mini bike festival every day? Plus, it’s conveniently located just a 12-minute stroll from the future Arbutus SkyTrain station—perfect for anyone wishing to pretend they’re exercising even as they hop into a cart filled with overpriced snacks.
