General Vancouver Development Updates II

[madog222]

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

Strand has opted to split the development permit for 456 Prior into two separate applications.


https://plposweb.vancouver.ca/Public/Default.aspx?PossePresentation=Guest&PosseObjectId=249048569

My guess is they've been in a holding pattern with the St Paul's construction, and that this will allow them to move ahead with the east tower.

The east tower will now have all the residential at 334 units with retail and the cultural amenity space at grade.
The second phase west tower will be an office tower, commercial space looks to be about the same as previously proposed.

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/456-prior-ta

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by madog222

The east tower will now have all the residential at 334 units with retail and the cultural amenity space at grade.
The second phase west tower will be an office tower, commercial space looks to be about the same as previously proposed.

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/456-prior-ta

The residential tower was approved in April. The DP was for 328 units, so it's been minimally altered. It was addressed to Malkin. The new rezoning presumably means the office tower is sufficiently different from the previous CD-1 to require a text amendment. It's good to see the developers think there might be demand for office space once the hospital is in operation. Maybe the switch to residential on the GWL site next to the station has had an impact.

[kikin]

https://vancouversun.com/news/granville-street-social-housing-building-close-june-2026

good news, now hoping for another announcement soon on getting rid of the other two nearby SRO's from the neighborhood

Good to see Sim pressing the provincial government to their word

downtown can be so much better with the right political will

[jollyburger]

Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Great Canadian Entertainment Enter Agreement for Purchase of Hastings Casino in Vancouver

səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), Vancouver, B.C. (November 10, 2025) – səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) (“TWN”) and Great Canadian Entertainment announced today they have entered into a definitive agreement for the purchase by TWN from Great Canadian Entertainment of the casino portion of the business and the casino-related real property interests at Hastings Racecourse & Casino. This follows the previous execution of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding between the parties, which was announced on June 6, 2025.

Hastings Casino is a local entertainment landmark in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia with over 400 slot machines that provide a diverse range of gaming options for guests, as well as food and beverage, and has been an important part of the Vancouver community for several decades.

“We are excited about this next step towards economic self-determination for our Nation in our traditional territory, which will bring benefits to our community and the next seven generations,” stated Justin George, Chief of səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). “I am grateful to our current and previous səlilwətaɬ leadership, as well as our Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Economic Development Department, for advancing and solidifying this opportunity.”

“We are proud to announce an agreement for the sale of this landmark casino business to TWN. It has been an honour to steward the casino at Hastings Racecourse & Casino for over 20 years, and we recognize the important role this transaction plays in TWN’s economic self-determination,” said Matt Anfinson, CEO, Great Canadian Entertainment. “We will now dedicate our efforts to a successful close of this transaction, as well as supporting the Tsleil-Waututh Nation thereafter.”

The closing of the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and approvals, including by regulatory authorities and the City of Vancouver, as the owner of the underlying real property at Hastings Park. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, the Company will provide transitional services and support to TWN for a period of time following closing.

KPMG Corporate Finance Inc. is acting as financial advisor and McCarthy Tétrault LLP is acting as legal counsel to TWN. McMillan LLP is acting as legal counsel to Great Canadian Entertainment.

https://twnation.ca/tsleil-waututh-natio...urchase-of-hastings-casino-in-vancouver/

[officedweller]

Maybe that'll put a wrench into thoughts of a Whitecaps stadium on the Hastings racecourse site.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Maybe that'll put a wrench into thoughts of a Whitecaps stadium on the Hastings racecourse site.

I guess if the Whitecaps make more money they wouldn't have any huge incentive to keep the racecourse. And the lease expires next year so you assume that would give COV a lot of bargaining power even if they want to accommodate them for DRIP etc.

[kikin]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I guess if the Whitecaps make more money they wouldn't have any huge incentive to keep the racecourse. And the lease expires next year so you assume that would give COV a lot of bargaining power even if they want to accommodate them for DRIP etc.

The reason the casino license was even allowed there in the first place was as a partnership with horse racing, if they want to get rid of the racecourse they should not be allowed to continue with a casino license there. But of course, when there is big money involved and paper bags anything can happen.

[bluefox]

I don't see a problem with creating some sort of "entertainment district" on the racecourse grounds with a Whitecaps stadium and a casino, among a few other amenities. No one is forcing people to go into casinos and blow a wad of money; people do it by choice. And there are ways to ensure that a portion of casino profits provide a community benefit.

My problem is the major downgrade in public transit that will occur, not having SkyTrain access to home games. The prospect of standing on an overcrowded R5 will push a lot of people to drive to games and find parking, and I doubt the neighbours will be thrilled about that.

[csbvan]

If we're going to pump entertainment uses in Hastings Park, put a BRT line down Hastings to replace the R5, ASAP.

[bluefox]

Originally Posted by csbvan

If we're going to pump entertainment uses in Hastings Park, put a BRT line down Hastings to replace the R5, ASAP.

We don't exactly have a track record for building transit infrastructure proactively or at scale and there's nothing to suggest that will change any time soon.

[kikin]

Originally Posted by bluefox

My problem is the major downgrade in public transit that will occur, not having SkyTrain access to home games. The prospect of standing on an overcrowded R5 will push a lot of people to drive to games and find parking, and I doubt the neighbours will be thrilled about that.

Even driving to that area now is a pain depending on the time of day, I went there from downtown by uber last night at 6pm and the last 2km took over 10 minutes just because of stop and go traffic, and there was no event going on. They should keep the major sports events downtown where we already have the arena and the stadium.

[SpongeG]

I've been to that casino a handful of times over the years and it's always near empty, easily under 50 people at any given time. The parking is a deterrent for many, it's so far away or hard to find the one close to the entrance as yiou need to navigate your way into the site, and its not very pedestrian friendly, in that its not a straightforward walk to get to it if you were coming from Hastings and its very dark and at night can feel sketchy especilly of you are carrying all your cash winnings.

Could they move it and construct a better one on the site?

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

that is a horrible area for Dogs. there are ZERO SIDEWALKS IN THAT AREA and a busy rail crossing right there. this is beyond stupidity.

Not on that block but they're building a sidewalk along Vernon from Napier to Grant. Translink funding for "Walking Infrastructure to Transit'

They said there's 450km of missing sidewalk and $600 million backlog in sidewalk repairs.

https://vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/sidewalk-restoration-and-improvements.aspx

[SpongeG]

This is a rental project with 181 units near Oakridge, It's a block or so east of the Starbucks on Cambie & 39th. I hadn't gone past the site since it was just a proposal sign, quite surprised to see how much is up

PXL_20251109_012756280 by snub_you, on Flickr

[jollyburger]

STAGED CONSTRUCTION
STAGE I: Excavation & Shoring (S.Yoo)
ISSUED: Sept. 19, 2024

STAGE II: Foundation up to Grade (S.Yoo)
ISSUED: Nov. 21, 2024

STAGE III: Full Construction (S.Yoo)
ISSUED: Jun. 10, 2025

https://plposweb.vancouver.ca/Public/Default.aspx?PossePresentation=Guest&PosseObjectId=214517956

[jollyburger]

Vancouver police and fire crews were called to the scene after a car crashed into the side of a building Sunday afternoon, Asst. Fire Chief Keith Stewart tells 1130 NewsRadio.

A photo taken at the scene shows significant damage to the wall of a warehouse on Industrial and Western.

Stewart says crews were called to the cinderblock building — which was empty at the time — around 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

“We have the City of Vancouver building inspector coming to the scene right now because the building is quite unstable,” he said around 4 p.m.

“We have our Technical Rescue Team on-site and we are going to ascertain whether we are going to do anything with this building at this time.”

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/11/16/east-vancouver-car-crash-warehouse/

[logan5]

That is not a very well built building. You can see a huge section of that exterior wall has been compromised.

With a block wall like that, usually (approximately) every 6th void that runs vertically along the wall, has rebar in place, then that same void with rebar is filled with concrete, making the wall much much stronger.

That building wouldn't last long in an earthquake.


https://www.blok-lok.com/index.php/product/rb-rebar-postioners/

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by logan5

That is not a very well built building. You can see a huge section of that exterior wall has been compromised.

Seismic code wasn't a thing when the development permit was obtained in 1926.

[jollyburger]

That one side of Industrial looks like cinderblock but the other side of the building seems to be using smaller cinder blocks except maybe the bottom.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Changing City

Seismic code wasn't a thing when the development permit was obtained in 1926.

Yep, that's the last kind of building you'd want to be in during an earthquake, especially if it is built on fill.