Development Buzz: 750 Pacific Boulevard (Plaza of Nations Site)

James K.M. Cheng Architects Inc. has submitted a proposal to build 1,700 to 2,000 residential units at the existing Plaza of Nations site. The proposal will also include retail, office, hotel, restaurants, and cafes. Moreover, there will be a community centre (badly needed), a daycare for 69 children, an ice rink (to be used by the Canucks and for the public), and sports science centre. The tallest building proposed is 30 storeys at a height of 87.5 metres.

The most daring feature of the proposal is the tall Skybridge building (this will be the second one if built, the first one is known as “Central” and is located on Main, near 1st). It’s great that the buildings do offer some sort of break from the norm for the area. The structure does cover up BC Place Stadium and it’s fancy new roof, which is really unfortunate. Being so close to the stadium, I can’t see these being marketed as high end units.

This project will also require the removal of the vastly underused Plaza of Nations building, Edgewater Casino and the nearby two night clubs.

From City of Vancouver Proposal Page, the following major public benefits include, among others, the following:

• Community Centre: the heart of the neighbourhood amenity facilities is the Community Centre which includes, among other things; day care centre for 69 children; community rooms; publically accessible ice hockey/skating rink that will be used by the community and as a training facility for the Canucks; and a sports science centre. In addition, all operating costs will be absorbed and indemnified by the applicant
• False Creek Seaside Walkway and Bike Route: completion of the north side False Creek seaside walkway and bike route between Coopers Park Neigh- bourhood and the foot of the Georgia Street axis will be achieved. This adds 363m (1,190 ft) of finished seaside walkway and bike route to False Creek.
• Civic Plaza: a major public outdoor event space is proposed on the water- front at the southerly apex of the site. This flexible space of approximately 4,500m (48,500 sf) will accommodate a wide range of audiences ranging from small gatherings up to 4,000 people. The event calendar will primarily be focused between spring and fall. It has the potential of accommodating a variety of neighbourly activities such as music, art shows, theatre presen- tations, and neighbourhood gatherings. The Civic Plaza replaces the original event space in the Plaza of Nations. This location gives uninterrupted south- erly views to the water and maximizes sun access.

1 Community Centre
2 Daycare
3 Ice rink
4 Canucks facilities
5 Sports medicine
6 Expo forest
7 1,500 to 2,000 residential units
8 Retail at grade including restaurants and cafes
9 Commercial
10 Hotel
11 Civic Plaza
12 False Creek Seaside Walkway and Bike Route
13 Public open space deck
14 Public Ferry
15 Transient moorage
16 Non-motorized moorage
17 Commercial moorage
Shoreline Features
18 Naturalized foreshore in westerly bay
19 Extension of length of seaside walk on piles
20 Maintain easterly foreshore with seawalk on bridge
21 Sub-tidal reef
22 Subtidal and intertidal enhancements along shoreline

More photos of the proposal:

This project, along with Rogers Arena Rental/Office towers will ensure that the land surround the city’s two stadiums will be swarmed by construction cranes.

Source: Jlousa at SSP.com