Vancouver General Hospital Campus Master Plan

[Feathered Friend]

The City of Vancouver has received an application from Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd. on behalf of Vancouver Coastal Health Authority to rezone the Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) campus site, to allow for the long-term redevelopment of the VGH campus site over the next 30+ years. Ten phases with over 300,000 sq. m of modernized healthcare facilities in buildings up to 24 storeys are proposed.

• Long-term phased redevelopment vision to modernize healthcare infrastructure and replace aging facilities, addressing the immediate and long-term healthcare needs of the community and expanding service capacity;
• 10 phases of redevelopment with new buildings up to 24 storeys;
• Over 300,000 sq. m of modernized healthcare facilities, with a maximum site density of approximately 5.0 FSR;
• Near-term request to amend site coverage and density in the CD-1 (59) (Comprehensive Development) District By-law to allow for a new 11-storey Emergency and Inpatient Care Building on West 10th Avenue;
• Framework for redevelopment that ensures the hospital remains fully operational throughout all phases of construction;
• Zoning boundary adjustments;
• Updates to zoning parameters including uses, density, site coverage, heights, and building setbacks;
• Updates to open space requirements;
• Revisions to heritage conservation requirements, including demolition of the Heather Pavilion – a municipally-designated heritage building (see submitted Heritage Document(External link));
• Proposed changes to circulation and access, including vehicle access and drop-off, service and loading, bikeways, and pedestrian pathways (see p. 179-201 of Rezoning Booklet(External link));
• New heliports;
• A commitment to reconciliation; and
• A commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

Q&A Period
February 11 → February 24 2026
In-person Information session
February 18 2026
Urban Design Panel (UDP)
March 25 2026

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/855-w-12-ave

[WarrenC12]

The very last phase is the weird one to me, tearing down a building they are currently renovating for hundreds of millions. I guess with no time frame, anything could go...

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

The very last phase is the weird one to me, tearing down a building they are currently renovating for hundreds of millions. I guess with no time frame, anything could go...

They said it's phased over several decades from some private engagement page on VCH. I assume that last phase is like 40-50 years down the line.

And this from the first rezoning for the new building

While the campus is expected to evolve beyond the ten phases described here, projections approaching or beyond a 50-year horizon become increasingly uncertain; therefore, this rezoning application addresses development up to Phase 10 only

[officedweller]

Also a bit weird that they are moving the buildings away from the Oak-VGH SkyTrain Station at Broadway & Laurel.

[madog222]

They’re doing two separate rezoning, the full master plan update and a text amendment to the existing CD to add the new 11 storey Building 1. I guess we could see this first phase happen fairly soon.

Originally Posted by officedweller

Also a bit weird that they are moving the buildings away from the Oak-VGH SkyTrain Station at Broadway & Laurel.

They don’t really have a choice, the Jim Pattinson Pavilion needs to stay operational until the new buildings are complete and in service.
That space will eventually be used for hospital development in the future.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by madog222

They don’t really have a choice, the Jim Pattinson Pavilion needs to stay operational until the new buildings are complete and in service.
That space will eventually be used for hospital development in the future.

If the new emergency is in Phase 1, couldn't they build something on the site of the old emergency, rather than convert it to park space?
That's closest to the station.

[madog222]

Originally Posted by officedweller

If the new emergency is in Phase 1, couldn't they build something on the site of the old emergency, rather than convert it to park space?
That's closest to the station.

It's only a 200-300m different, hardly of significance.
The Heather Pavilion is effectively wasted space currently, far better to utilize that space then try to build around the active JPP. This phasing then leaves a large area open space for future large scale hospital development.
The entire hospital campus will be utilized, it's just a matter of when. Remember, the park space is just an interim use until future phases are built.

[NewfBC]

Originally Posted by officedweller

If the new emergency is in Phase 1, couldn't they build something on the site of the old emergency, rather than convert it to park space?
That's closest to the station.

There's a lot more in that building other than Emergency. Operating rooms are on the 2nd and 3rd floors, which are currently in the middle of a $300-million renewal project. The phase 1 new emergency appears to be an extension of the current area.

Ron.

[officedweller]

I was also thinking that the heritage people will go nuts with demolition of the Heather Pavilion.

[madog222]

Application booklet: https://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applic...on-booklet.pdf


Final form massing:

Image from Vancouver Coastal Health / Kasian

Originally Posted by officedweller

Here's the staging:


https://ehq-production-canada.s3.ca-...-PPT-FINAL.pdf

[jollyburger]

^^ I assume that's just due to the phasing of buildings getting removed and the Jim Pattison tower not getting replaced until one of the last phases.

Just noticed in the heliport section Phase 8 Building 3 East and West says it's 30-35 years out.

I wonder if the heliports on taller buildings changes anything with building heights in the area.

[jollyburger]

They also mention that possible underground connection from the subway station to VGH.

[WarrenC12]

Ending with park space on the west side is just weird to me. The overall increase in square footage is minimal for a "10 phase" renewal. The first steps are logical but after that makes less and less sense IMO.

[SFUVancouver]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Ending with park space on the west side is just weird to me. The overall increase in square footage is minimal for a "10 phase" renewal. The first steps are logical but after that makes less and less sense IMO.

Leaving a big park at the end of Phase 10 sets up for its use future phases.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

Leaving a big park at the end of Phase 10 sets up for its use future phases.

That area would be the oldest buildings left by the time Phase 9 rolls around, but my point is why tear them down for nothing. We are starved for acute care space and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

That area would be the oldest buildings left by the time Phase 9 rolls around, but my point is why tear them down for nothing. We are starved for acute care space and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

Maybe I'm missing something but what would the alternative be to this phasing? Build something right away or increase the density on the new towers?

I assume capital funds for construction/staffing play a role in whatever increases they can add to the existing capacity of VGH.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Maybe I'm missing something but what would the alternative be to this phasing? Build something right away or increase the density on the new towers?

I assume capital funds for construction/staffing play a role in whatever increases they can add to the existing capacity of VGH.

Generally speaking just less tearing down and more building. I think it's an ok plan overall, but why so much park space at the end? Leaving those buildings up would be the answer IMO.

As stated above there is a ~$300M renovation going on there now, after a similar sized project recently completed. I would hope that isn't torn down for at least 30-40 years.

[jollyburger]

I assume this is more about optimization/modernization of spaces versus just trying to have more building space.

I think at Phase 10 they should probably consolidate some of the neighbouring research facilities into new buildings which would open up some more land for rebuilding.

[Capitol Hill]

It seems strange that two large hospitals in Vancouver are so close to each other, St. Paul’s and VGH, but then I look at Seattle and they have 3 hospitals within blocks of each other.

Odd how cities evolve.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Capitol Hill

It seems strange that two large hospitals in Vancouver are so close to each other, St. Paul’s and VGH, but then I look at Seattle and they have 3 hospitals within blocks of each other.

Odd how cities evolve.

Don't forget Mt. St. Joseph is closer to VGH than the old and new SPH locations. Plus Children's and Women's not much further down Oak.

All 3 serve a number of different specialties. In comparison to the US where they probably compete with each other.