Downtown Vancouver Updates II

[Glow Fun City]

Originally Posted by officedweller

The Studio Nightclub/ former theatre (919 Granville) is for sale:
https://www.spacelist.ca/listings/961065/bc/vancouver/for-sale/retail-land/--919_granville_st

One of few original theatres left on Granville (with some modifications), hopefully it can be saved.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Glow Fun City

One of few original theatres left on Granville (with some modifications), hopefully it can be saved.

It was built as a cinema in 1948. The interior was in a pretty poor state, having been abandoned for several years, when it was rebuilt as the Tonic nightclub in the early 2000s. The seating was removed, the floor leveled, and some seismic additions brought it up to the code of the day. It was renovated and rebranded back to the Studio a few years ago, but there's really nothing of the original building except the walls.

[Zepfancouver]

Originally Posted by Zepfancouver

Yesterday, excavator egress - Jan 28, 2026

Traffic cameras - Hornby St and Drake St I knew it was happenning but was unable to be there to capture

https://makeagif.com/i/LRhk2g

https://makeagif.com/i/XID4MV

Yes we will have another conversation on why they are using new scaffolding for the infill (void) on this core footing.


This morning - Jan 29, 2026 - Pics by Me

[img]....jpeg[/img]

Core Footing concrete pour was on Feb 05, 2026 and Tower Crane erected on Saturday Feb 07, 2026

Pics by Me - No talk of using new scaffolding on this Core Footing









• Video Link

[jollyburger]

I guess they used some alternative to scaffolding in the second photo.

Was just searching around and noticed Brava (1199 Seymour) had a large void appear below their P5 level that required 114m3 of concrete. It didn't seem to cause any settling with the building itself.

Seemed to be connected with the Canada Line tunneling.

https://www.issmge.org/uploads/publications/6/13/2011_044.pdf

[Glow Fun City]

Originally Posted by Changing City

It was built as a cinema in 1948. The interior was in a pretty poor state, having been abandoned for several years, when it was rebuilt as the Tonic nightclub in the early 2000s. The seating was removed, the floor leveled, and some seismic additions brought it up to the code of the day. It was renovated and rebranded back to the Studio a few years ago, but there's really nothing of the original building except the walls.

I'd support a rebuilt venue as part of a new development, but it would be nice to preserve entertainment use along with the neon sign.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I guess they used some alternative to scaffolding in the second photo.

Was just searching around and noticed Brava (1199 Seymour) had a large void appear below their P5 level that required 114m3 of concrete. It didn't seem to cause any settling with the building itself.

Seemed to be connected with the Canada Line tunneling.

https://www.issmge.org/uploads/publications/6/13/2011_044.pdf

Correct, void opened up during boring.

[jollyburger]

Building permit issued for 55 West Hastings

https://plposweb.vancouver.ca/Public/Default.aspx?PossePresentation=Guest&PosseObjectId=242388329

[csbvan]

Interesting. DP to turn the old Vancouver Film School location on E Pender in Chinatown to a hotel - lobby, lounge and restaurant on ground level, with 57 hotel suites above. Another hotel for Chinatown:

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/88-e-pender-st

WA Architects has applied to the City of Vancouver for permission to provide interior alterations and to change the use from School and Office to Hotel in this existing mixed-use commercial building, consisting of:

Hotel lobby, bar and lounge on ground level
57 hotel suites on levels 2 - 5
A floor area of approximately 39,816 sq. ft.
Hours of operation: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Under the site’s existing HA-1 zoning(External link), the application is “conditional” so it may be permitted. However, it requires the decision of the Director of Planning.

[gaviscon]

Anyone have new updates for 600 Robson Street?

[jollyburger]

Cohen Block also approved

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/army-navy-cohen-block-vancouver-redevelopment-rezoning-approved

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Cohen Block also approved

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/army-navy-cohen-block-vancouver-redevelopment-rezoning-approved

Nice overall development and mix. Maybe in 10 years London Drugs will be able to return to the area.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Nice overall development and mix. Maybe in 10 years London Drugs will be able to return to the area.

When the Cohen development is complete, that block will provide a strong buffer between the really rough parts of East Hastings, and the Woodwards block, so yeah, I can see some new businesses coming back to the Woodwards block.

[urbanight93]

As much as people harp on ABC, having a united council has been nice and has really facilitated approvals for a lot of future developments. If we had COPE running the show, not one project would’ve been approved because they make the perfect be the enemy of the good. Now we just need the market to rebound so things can move along.

[gaviscon]

Who should one vote for the best chance of seeing the 501-525 W Georgia St project get approved and started?

Calgary's 277m twin tower project was proposed not long before we got the new version of 501 WG, and they're already ready to get shovels in the ground by the end of 2026

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by urbanight93

As much as people harp on ABC, having a united council has been nice and has really facilitated approvals for a lot of future developments. If we had COPE running the show, not one project would’ve been approved because they make the perfect be the enemy of the good. Now we just need the market to rebound so things can move along.

There hasn't been a COPE dominated Council in over 20 years. Having one or two COPE members since then hasn't prevented City Council approving almost every rezoning that has come to a vote. Often it was NPA Council members who opposed projects, and sometimes Green members - but almost never enough to refuse a rezoning. When Council turned down the Chinatown condo rezoning on Keefer in 2017 members of the NPA and Vision were in favour and against the project - the vote didn't follow party lines.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by gaviscon

Who should one vote for the best chance of seeing the 501-525 W Georgia St project get approved and started?

Calgary's 277m twin tower project was proposed not long before we got the new version of 501 WG, and they're already ready to get shovels in the ground by the end of 2026

The Calgary Marriott hotel towers haven't been rezoned yet either. Construction starting this year would seem unlikely.

[gaviscon]

Originally Posted by Changing City

The Calgary Marriott hotel towers haven't been rezoned yet either. Construction starting this year would seem unlikely.

Idk that's what some "insiders" are saying here.

https://calgary.skyrisecities.com/forum/...ion-277-3m-71s-truman-norr.42251/page-40

Also I don't know what it is but the construction starts have been crazy active over there for the past 2 years. I think the city is expediting projects downtown.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by gaviscon

Idk that's what some "insiders" are saying here.

https://calgary.skyrisecities.com/forum/...ion-277-3m-71s-truman-norr.42251/page-40

Also I don't know what it is but the construction starts have been crazy active over there for the past 2 years. I think the city is expediting projects downtown.

It's not impossible, assuming the Calgary developers are investing in the detailed designs to allow construction before getting approval. They also have to have the billion dollar financing in place. They have a deal already lined up for Marriott to operate the hotels, and the land is owned by the City of Calgary, so those aren't likely to cause problems.

Here, it's far less clear that Holborn could develop the towers any time soon, even if they got an approval. They aren't proposing to build the hotel tower first, but the condo towers, which would be a stretch to sell in the current market, to say the least. (As proposed, it's over 1,200 condos and 270+ rentals). They also have to finance the non-market tower next to Woodwards which is their CAC offer.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Changing City

There hasn't been a COPE dominated Council in over 20 years. Having one or two COPE members since then hasn't prevented City Council approving almost every rezoning that has come to a vote. Often it was NPA Council members who opposed projects, and sometimes Green members - but almost never enough to refuse a rezoning. When Council turned down the Chinatown condo rezoning on Keefer in 2017 members of the NPA and Vision were in favour and against the project - the vote didn't follow party lines.

That's true but I think there's a clear difference with this council vs the last. Having a strong majority at least makes sure progress happens. Whether or not it's your personal flavour of progress, that's obviously up for debate.

The Stewart council spent days and hours ultimately doing nothing.

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

That's true but I think there's a clear difference with this council vs the last. Having a strong majority at least makes sure progress happens. Whether or not it's your personal flavour of progress, that's obviously up for debate.

The Stewart council spent days and hours ultimately doing nothing.

Well, they approved the Broadway Plan...