Update May 14, 2016: The 8x on the Park presentation centre is now open. Click here to read our extensive post with the latest pricing information, photos, floor plans and more.
The controversial condo tower at 508 Helmcken St. (now 1111 Richards St.) next to Emery Barnes Park in downtown Vancouver is moving forward.
Despite the objections of a local residents group, Community Association of New Yaletown (not sure what New Yaletown is, but anyway), and a lawsuit, the development by Brenhill Development is going ahead.
Ironically, many of the people who opposed the tower, mostly based on its height and location next to the park, live in the existing towers such as Brava surrounding the park. Even more ironic, some of those buildings are the same height as the proposed development. That’s Vancouver for you.
Looking ahead, here’s what’s coming to the site. A 36-storey mixed use tower with 448 residential units, 110 of which will be market rental and 338 market condos. There will also be a private Montessori pre-school and kindergarten in the building on the first two floors. The building was designed by GBL Architects.
The proposal is interesting, not just because of the beautiful design, but because the benefit package is quite generous.
The developer agreed to replace the aging Jubilee House social housing building by building a brand new social housing building across the street before the tower is constructed.
That new building is almost complete and residents should be moving in in the next month or two. Once they move into the new building, the old Jubilee House will come down and construction will begin on the 1111 Richards St. tower.
There’s no word yet on when presales might begin, or pricing, but these stunning renderings should tide us over for now. Update: Presales begin May 14, 2016, registration at 8xonthepark.com
