Kengo Kuma’s first major condo project in North America destined to be iconic
It appears we may have seen the end of bland, boring building proposals in downtown Vancouver. Since the announcement of Vancouver House by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels a couple years ago, several more architecturally significant proposals have surfaced.
1550 Alberni is one of them. Developed by Westbank and designed by prominent Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the 43-storey condo building will replace an office building at Alberni and Cardero streets. This will be Kuma’s first major project in North America. He is well known for the use of wood in his designs, and this building is no exception.
The building will feature 188 market residential units. Amenities include a swimming pool and a proposed Japanese restaurant and cafe on the ground floor. The lobby will be a “garden lobby,” partially outside. The building will achieve a LEED Gold sustainability rating.
This part of Coal Harbour is poised for major changes in the coming years, with several other proposals nearby, including a “jenga style” tower by Bosa. Concord Pacific also recently purchased the Westin Bayshore hotel, for close to $300 million.
