Burnaby Updates

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This might be considered skyscraper fantasy by some, but the numbers are there, so here goes...

Proposals have started to be come in under Burnaby's new rezoning rules which adds a substantial amount of residential density in the form of rental units. A proposal submitted for a Telford and Beresford site maxes out its density, so it's safe to assume that other developments will follow suit.

So let's calculate what's possible on the highest density sites - the RMS5s/C3 zone. I'll use the Old Orchard Mall site as a hypothetical development.

If you calculate the total square footage at the Old Orchard Mall site at Willingdon and Kingsway at maximum FSR (12 x 220 000 sq foot site), you get 2 640 000 sq feet of total floor space. Of that, 1 980 000 would be residential. Assuming a typical floor plate size for a multi tower development like this, at 7500 sq feet, you have a total floor count of 264 floors. Obviously you are not going to have a 264 floor tower, but more likely 4 towers, so 264/4 = 66 floors for each of the 4 towers. Going by the Gilmore example, that's well over 700', but these developments like to have a signature tower that rises above the rest, so at least one of the towers would be above 800', but there's more to consider because there is also 660 000 sq feet of commercial space as part of this development. This will significantly increase the size of the podium, adding even more height to the residential towers.

Taking all these factors into account, it's fair to predict that we will be seeing towers pushing 900' and beyond in Burnaby. Maybe even tallest in the country. Fantasy or reality? I say reality, and relatively soon.