Here is the little project that will be replacing the Dairy Queen at Hastings and Lakewood.
As you may notice in the model the top floors are using a wood-like material, while brick is cladding the lower floors. This extends to the interior, as the top two floors will be wood-frame, while the lower ones will be concrete. The overall design is something encouraged by the area plan.
The south facade has a faux frontage created by the brick wall to help relate to the neighbourhood, to create a sound barrier and sun shading for the balconies in behind. Meanwhile, the north face has been stepped, and includes a lot of greenery to improve it's relation to the character homes to the north.
A resident of one of the home across the alleyway, an elderly woman, attended the open house and was quite distraught, exclaiming that the new development will drive her to the grave. While I think it would be a very cold person that wouldn't feel their heart twinge at such a scene, I really do hope she realizes that the future of the area means such growth is needed. Ideally, I hope she finds when the project is completed that the building will be a good neighbour, and not the monster she fears; At worst, I hope she realizes that the equity of her current home is such that it would allow her to find happiness in another area of the region that isn't experiencing change at such a fast pace.
That said, as the project is a rental building, and apparently close to the residence of a member of Abundant Housing, I suspect this one will see a lot of support when it comes up at a public hearing.
http://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applications/2109ehastings/index.htm
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