Lululemon is planning a new Vancouver headquarters and is seeking a height variance to build an 11 to 13 storey office building on the False Creek Flats.
The lot, at 1980 Foley Street and Great Northern Way, currently allows for a 120 ft. tall office building. Lululemon is seeking to build an office building of approximately 250 ft. tall, according to a staff report.
The report states the Director of Planning is recommending a rezoning application be considered, as the building will provide new job space in the False Creek Flats, aligned with the city’s goals for the area.
“The rezoning inquiry for a proposed office building at 1980 Foley Street presents a unique opportunity to advance a significant amount of job space and improve public space and access within the False Creek Flats.”
The new building would have a floor area of 582,951 square feet, but details on the design are not yet available. Once an official rezoning application is submitted, renderings will be made available.
As part of the proposal, a 15-metre-wide landscaped public space commemorating the former China Creek is planned for the eastern boundary of the site. The Broadway SkyTrain extension will run along the north of the site.
Lululemon’s headquarters are currently located at 1818 Cornwall Street, at the south end of the Burrard Street Bridge.
The athletic apparel retail purchased the property in 2011 and occupies 130,000 sq ft. of office space. The building originally operated as a bottling plant and was converted into an office building in the 1980s.
At the time of the purchase, then-CEO Christine Day said: “Kits has always been our home and we are thrilled that it once again will be. To work in one of the most beautiful communities in Vancouver – within walking distance to amazing yoga studios, fitness facilities, the Seawall and beautiful beaches – is what inspires us every day.”
New Nature’s Path headquarters planned nearby
The City of Vancouver recently approved a 10-storey office building nearby, which will be the new global headquarters of Nature’s Path Foods, the popular maker of organic cereals, oatmeals and granola bars.
It was originally submitted as an eight-storey building, but two additional floors were added.
