Downtown Vancouver Updates II

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Application is up. And it's a grocery/pharmacy.

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/450-w-georgia-st-2

Do they need more grocery for that area? There hasn't been any new residential built around that area for years and the big City Market in the Post has opened in the meantime.

[madog222]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Application is up. And it's a grocery/pharmacy.

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/450-w-georgia-st-2

Images from W.T. Leung Architects

[Vancouver_Highrise]

Horrible.. but I guess it’s better vs. a parking lot. I’m surprised they didn't propose a hotel instead?

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by madog222

Images from W.T. Leung Architects

haha whatever WT Leung is smoking I want some .... I guess he has never you know looked across the street or anything. excelent architect he is knowing the immediate area so well. what a true proffesional of his field a captain of industry one might say. time to roll out the Knighthood. >>


W. T. LEUNG ARCHITECTS INC.
Nov 10 th, 2025.
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
450 WEST GEORGIA STREET
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
DESIGN RATIONALE FOR DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPLICATION
1. INTRODUCTION
Located in the heart of Vancouver’s Downtown District (DD), 450 West Georgia Street is prominently positioned
at the southeast corner of the intersection with Richards Street. The site is framed by two significant office
developments: Telus Garden to the west and the 400 West Georgia office tower to the east—both of which were
rezoned to CD-1 to accommodate their respective forms of development.
The proposal envisions a two-storey retail building that aligns with the permitted land uses under the Downtown
Official Development Plan (DODP). The building will contribute to the active commercial streetscape and
reinforce West Georgia Street’s role as one of Vancouver’s primary cultural and business corridors.
The site is highly accessible by a range of sustainable transportation options. It is located just two blocks from
both the Canada Line and Expo Line SkyTrain stations and is directly served by multiple bus routes along West
Georgia and Richards Streets. Additionally, the City of Vancouver has identified Richards Street for a future two-
way separated bicycle lane, which will further enhance active transportation connectivity to the site.
The new retail development will help address a critical service gap in the area by introducing essential retail
offerings, including a grocery store and a pharmacy, to support the growing residential population in downtown
Vancouver.
As part of its commitment to sustainable development, the project incorporates a range of environmental
strategies that align with the City of Vancouver’s Green Building policies. These include energy-efficient
systems, low-carbon material selection, and compliance with the City’s Zero Emissions Building Plan and
Embodied Carbon Guidelines—ensuring that the project delivers lasting environmental and economic value.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by madog222

Images from W.T. Leung Architects

haha whatever WT Leung is smoking I want some .... I guess he has never you know looked across the street (as in 100 meters away) or anything. excelent architect he is knowing the immediate area so well. what a true proffesional of his field a captain of industry one might say. time to roll out the Knighthood. By his math Downtown needs about 1000-1500 more grocery stores as it is so under served. >>


W. T. LEUNG ARCHITECTS INC.
Nov 10 th, 2025.
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
450 WEST GEORGIA STREET
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
DESIGN RATIONALE FOR DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPLICATION
1. INTRODUCTION
Located in the heart of Vancouver’s Downtown District (DD), 450 West Georgia Street is prominently positioned
at the southeast corner of the intersection with Richards Street. The site is framed by two significant office
developments: Telus Garden to the west and the 400 West Georgia office tower to the east—both of which were
rezoned to CD-1 to accommodate their respective forms of development.
The proposal envisions a two-storey retail building that aligns with the permitted land uses under the Downtown
Official Development Plan (DODP). The building will contribute to the active commercial streetscape and
reinforce West Georgia Street’s role as one of Vancouver’s primary cultural and business corridors.
The site is highly accessible by a range of sustainable transportation options. It is located just two blocks from
both the Canada Line and Expo Line SkyTrain stations and is directly served by multiple bus routes along West
Georgia and Richards Streets. Additionally, the City of Vancouver has identified Richards Street for a future two-
way separated bicycle lane, which will further enhance active transportation connectivity to the site.
The new retail development will help address a critical service gap in the area by introducing essential retail
offerings, including a grocery store and a pharmacy, to support the growing residential population in downtown
Vancouver.
As part of its commitment to sustainable development, the project incorporates a range of environmental
strategies that align with the City of Vancouver’s Green Building policies. These include energy-efficient
systems, low-carbon material selection, and compliance with the City’s Zero Emissions Building Plan and
Embodied Carbon Guidelines—ensuring that the project delivers lasting environmental and economic value.

[NewfBC]

What a strange development for the area. I wonder is it London Drugs / Fresh St.? London Drugs would move from the Granville location.

Ron.

[city guy]

isn't there a giant grocery store across the street?

[jollyburger]

London Drugs + Fresh Street Market is the only thing that makes any sense. They could also get rid of the IGA?

They mentioned tenants plural so I think that rules out some grocery/pharmacy under one brand.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

London Drugs + Fresh Street Market is the only thing that makes any sense. They could also get rid of the IGA?

They mentioned tenants plural so I think that rules out some grocery/pharmacy under one brand.

If the two tenants are part of the same ownership, that would make sense. A Pattinson store could be the grocery (and Pure Integrated Pharmacy is also part of Pattinson), or possibly FreshCo, as Sobeys seem willing to take on City Market on West Broadway in close proximity.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

haha whatever WT Leung is smoking I want some .... I guess he has never you know looked across the street (as in 100 meters away) or anything. excelent architect he is knowing the immediate area so well. what a true proffesional of his field a captain of industry one might say. time to roll out the Knighthood. By his math Downtown needs about 1000-1500 more grocery stores as it is so under served. >>

... Additionally, the City of Vancouver has identified Richards Street for a future two-
way separated bicycle lane, which will further enhance active transportation connectivity to the site.
The new retail development will help address a critical service gap in the area by introducing essential retail
offerings, including a grocery store and a pharmacy, to support the growing residential population in downtown
Vancouver.

The Richards bike lane has been open for several years now.
I suspect that this has been a placeholder for more than 5 years, which would also pre-date the opening of the Loblaws CityMarket,
and they have just dusted it off without revising it.

Originally Posted by jollyburger

London Drugs + Fresh Street Market is the only thing that makes any sense. They could also get rid of the IGA?

They mentioned tenants plural so I think that rules out some grocery/pharmacy under one brand.

Originally Posted by Changing City

If the two tenants are part of the same ownership, that would make sense. A Pattinson store could be the grocery (and Pure Integrated Pharmacy is also part of Pattinson), or possibly FreshCo, as Sobeys seem willing to take on City Market on West Broadway in close proximity.

16,000 sq ft is too small for a London Drugs (unless it's one of the new format ones). I don't know if HY Louie would complete on the same block with a Fresh St. Market and an IGA (even if franchised, I think?) unless the IGA closed down. I think Fresh St. Market and City Market would be head to head competition, both having extensive prepared foods sections.

Pure Pharmacy has a nearby location on Robson at Cambie, though it would be interesting if Pattison opened a PriceSmart (Asian grocery), Choices or a BuyLow there.
Save-on-Foods wouldn't add to the area, as they are known for high prices, and their pharmacies are integrated into the store.
There is already a Nesters at Seymour and Nelson.

16,000 sq ft could be a Shoppers Drug Mart, but there are locations at Granville/Dunsmuir and Nelson/Homer,
and I doubt that Loblaws would open a No Frills to compete with compete with CityMarket.
There's also a T&T nearby at International Village.

Could be Freshco, but their pharmacies are integrated.

The drug store could be the Granville/Pender Rexall, which is to be redeveloped by DeeCorp.

22,000 sq ft is a bit small for a Whole Foods.

Could also be SunGiven Foods.

I think the pharmacy could be any mid-sized brand.
I think the grocery would need to be a niche market store to compete against CityMarket and IGA - either Asian or discount,
although H-Mart is also close-by at Robson/Seymour.

[officedweller]

The CIBC facade at the Old Navy on Granville is having work done on it.
Pic by me a couple days ago.

[officedweller]

VAHA Burrard

By me today.

Must be full height now.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by officedweller

The Richards bike lane has been open for several years now.
I suspect that this has been a placeholder for more than 5 years, which would also pre-date the opening of the Loblaws CityMarket,
and they have just dusted it off without revising it.

16,000 sq ft is too small for a London Drugs (unless it's one of the new format ones). I don't know if HY Louie would complete on the same block with a Fresh St. Market and an IGA (even if franchised, I think?) unless the IGA closed down. I think Fresh St. Market and City Market would be head to head competition, both having extensive prepared foods sections.

Pure Pharmacy has a nearby location on Robson at Cambie, though it would be interesting if Pattison opened a PriceSmart (Asian grocery), Choices or a BuyLow there.
Save-on-Foods wouldn't add to the area, as they are known for high prices, and their pharmacies are integrated into the store.
There is already a Nesters at Seymour and Nelson.

16,000 sq ft could be a Shoppers Drug Mart, but there are locations at Granville/Dunsmuir and Nelson/Homer,
and I doubt that Loblaws would open a No Frills to compete with compete with CityMarket.
There's also a T&T nearby at International Village.

Could be Freshco, but their pharmacies are integrated.

The drug store could be the Granville/Pender Rexall, which is to be redeveloped by DeeCorp.

22,000 sq ft is a bit small for a Whole Foods.

Could also be SunGiven Foods.

I think the pharmacy could be any mid-sized brand.
I think the grocery would need to be a niche market store to compete against CityMarket and IGA - either Asian or discount,
although H-Mart is also close-by at Robson/Seymour.

I doubt it's Sungiven they seem to prefer low-mid end real estate. Not sure how much LD would adjust their dry goods/products selection next to a grocery. Not sure how Vancouver House deals with it.

[seamusmcduff]

Originally Posted by Vancouver_Highrise

Horrible.. but I guess it’s better vs. a parking lot. I’m surprised they didn't propose a hotel instead?

You'd think with such a small scaled building, they'd be able to do something a little more architecturally interesting. Like come on, you're building a two storey building and you're just going to make a glass box, barely any articulation and no ornamentation.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by seamusmcduff

You'd think with such a small scaled building, they'd be able to do something a little more architecturally interesting. Like come on, you're building a two storey building and you're just going to make a glass box, barely any articulation and no ornamentation.

I mean they made a 22 storey office tower that was basically the same thing so I think it's time to give up on expecting an architectural masterpiece on this lot.

[seamusmcduff]

I don't expect an architectural masterpiece, but it would be nice to see something slightly more interesting

[NewfBC]

Originally Posted by seamusmcduff

You'd think with such a small scaled building, they'd be able to do something a little more architecturally interesting. Like come on, you're building a two storey building and you're just going to make a glass box, barely any articulation and no ornamentation.

It's probably a temporary use until the site can be used for some other purpose.

Ron.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by NewfBC

It's probably a tempory use until the site can be used for some other purpose.

Ron.

Like the Best Buy / Winners building on Granville is temporary. That's 23 years old.

[NewfBC]

Originally Posted by Changing City

Like the Best Buy / Winners building on Granville is temporary. That's 23 years old.

Yes... lol. Or the one more south that used to have the Harvey's, Smokes Poutine, etc. that was replaced recently (now has KFC, Taco Bell, etc.).

Ron.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by city guy

isn't there a giant grocery store across the street?

according to the highly prestigious architecture firm W. T. LEUNG ARCHITECTS ...... that is a NO.

THERE ARE NO GROCERY STORES IN THIS PART OF DOWNTOWN!

HOW DARE YOU!