After more than a decade of talks, debates, and perhaps an intervention or two, the ambitious plan for the mixed-use redevelopment of the Safeway grocery store site next to the illustrious Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain Station is inching closer to the coveted “Let’s make this official” stamp of approval.
Meanwhile, the self-appointed watchdogs of the Grandview-Woodland neighborhood have been passionately waving “NO MEGATOWERS” signs like frustrated flag bearers at a parade. Their worry? The specter of looming high-rises casting shadows on their avocados and artisanal breads from the nearby grocer. As the rezoning proposal teeters on the brink of a decision by Vancouver City Council, the stakes have never felt higher.
Next week, the City Council will don their finest robes to review staff recommendations to push this gem of a proposal forward to a public hearing set for the spring of 2025. Circle your calendars, folks—this is the kind of event where dreams (and, possibly, nightmares) unfold.
Should council members blissfully approve the application this May, we’re looking at what could potentially become the largest developmental spectacle ever aligned with the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan. And yes, you can bet your savings on housing prices rising faster than your mood when you find a forgotten $20 bill in your winter coat.
According to the city staff’s take on this hot mess, “The proposed height and density exceed the Plan, but staff are supportive due to the emerging context given Transit-Oriented Area policies.” Translation? Sure, it violates the neighborhood’s master plan, but this is all about maximizing the “transit-oriented” goldmine. Everyone loves a bit of irony where locals come together in harmony only for the local transit authority to swoosh their hopes aside with the promise of new towers.
The dazzling details reveal three high-rises, standing tall like the towers of Babel—479 ft, 417 ft, and 404 ft, as if their heights were determined in a bingo game. This mammoth project will crow about a whopping 847,000 sq. ft. of density. Yes, you read that right! This means a floor area ratio density of 8.3 times greater than the humble little 2.4-acre lot at 1780 East Broadway, essentially proving that everything is bigger in Vancouver—especially the hopes of the ambitious developers.
And that’s not all, ladies and gentlemen! The ambitious proposal flaunts 1,044 secured purpose-built rental homes—940 market rentals for aspirational couples with a penchant for pricey lattes, and 104 below-market rentals for those who dream of living in cozy little shoeboxes. But wait, there’s more: at least 35% of these homes will be conveniently sized for families, which is basically code for, “We’re taking over your neighborhood, one bicycle and baby carriage at a time.” It’s like a treasure trove of unexpected living arrangements!
