Once touted as the future of office space—where caffeine-fueled tech geniuses could spontaneously sprout unicorns as they crunched numbers—the 800 Granville redevelopment has received a makeover. It now resembles the new hipster darling: rental housing with a sprinkling of hotels. Apparently, the economy decided it preferred a cozy pillow to a cold conference table, leading to this unexpected transformation in downtown Vancouver.
In April 2024, local real estate sorcerers, Bonnis Properties, waved their wands and announced a redesign for 800-876 Granville St. Imagine a city block so significant it could practically challenge gravity, located right at the central confluence of Robson and Granville streets—a veritable hotspot for those looking to be entertained or, let’s be honest, mildly distracted. Luckily, this saga is not a demolition story, just a twist in the tale.
With office vacancies soaring like a kite on a windy day, it’s no surprise that Bonnis Properties decided to pivot. The original plan—crafted in a time of great optimism, much like believing the last cookie won’t tempt you—was to create lavish office spaces. Alas, those dreams were dashed by the pandemic, leaving developers with a rather bulging inventory of empty rooms.
Fast forward to March 2025, where Bonnis Properties teamed up with architectural wizards Perkins & Will to unveil a fresh vision fit for modern life: high-rises. Forget that bulky 17-story monolith planned before the world turned upside down. Now, imagine two sleek towers reaching for the stars—one a lofty 451 ft. and the other a modest 395 ft. Both will bask in the glory of residential units, which are basically luxury birdhouses for urban dwellers. Who needs an office, anyway?
The only thing missing from this redesign? Any semblance of office space. Instead, there’s a whimsical assortment of 523 secured rental units, just shy of a midsize aircraft, with no need for cubicles or water coolers. To spice things up, the new layout even introduces a hotel component, because nothing screams “I’m trendy” quite like having tourists ascend to your dining space with a view.
And let’s talk about the approach to these vertical showcases of housing ingenuity. With the City Council green-lighting taller structures, new heights are on the horizon—literally! Thank you, revised view cone policies; you’ll always be remembered as the reason we can now gaze ever upward instead of just at our neighbors’ laundry. Indeed, it seems that city limits just met their match. With the opportunity for magnificent views of… well, the skies, locals are excited about the trickle-down benefits of living near rental units not intended for tech titans.
But wait, there’s more! Feast your eyes on the 30,000 sq. ft. restaurant on the fifth level that’s practically destined to become the next Instagram hotspot. Inspired by elite locales across the globe, it’s going to be the cherry on top of Vancouver’s culinary delights. Plus, don’t forget the hefty bike parkade suspended above the Commodore Building, which could double as a modern art installation—or an awkwardly positioned gym for the hipster that forgot where they left their bicycle.
So, as the plans await approval, keep your eyes peeled for comedic value among the architectural grandeur. A structural bridge, ample commercial space, and even a sizeable video screen to ensure that if all else fails, pedestrians will have the option to bask in the glow of minimalist commercialism while they sip artisanal lattes. Truly, 800 Granville is shaping up to be nothing short of delightful, with a hefty side of absurdity.
