Burnaby Updates

[Klazu]

I think it will eventually all be good as long as there is height variantion in these rows of towers. Beresford and Nelson are very impressive but there could be a bit more variation just for visual interest.

[jollyburger]

I only saw one mention of the address from last year with no renderings. It went to first reading in March.

6620 Sussex by Keltic



https://www.kelticdevelopment.com/projects/6620-sussex-ave

[Sheba]

I found another laughable "steps from" description... Kin Collection is supposedly that far away from Metrotown and a Skytrain station - meanwhile it's roughly mid-way between Royal Oak and Edmonds Stations (I noticed one of the warehouse type spaces was a basically a field when I was on the train today).

I'm not surprised it's listed as sold out as it all 2+ bedroom starting at almost 900 sq feet. It'll fit in with all the other low rise buildings slowly taking over the area (as the businesses move down to the Big Bend industrial area).

[Spr0ckets]

Originally Posted by Sheba

I found another laughable "steps from" description... Kin Collection is supposedly that far away from Metrotown and a Skytrain station - meanwhile it's roughly mid-way between Royal Oak and Edmonds Stations (I noticed one of the warehouse type spaces was a basically a field when I was on the train today).

I'm not surprised it's listed as sold out as it all 2+ bedroom starting at almost 900 sq feet. It'll fit in with all the other low rise buildings slowly taking over the area (as the businesses move down to the Big Bend industrial area).

"Metrotown Mall area" is usually a sliding scale descriptor based on where your development is currently being constructed in the general region.

It might not even be in the same city.

I've seen developments in the Joyce area marketing using "Minutes from Metrotown mall".....which,.....to be fair,...is not a lie.

And to be totally honest, mid-Royal Oak and Edmonds IS steps away from Metrotown.

It's just a matter of how many steps and how much time you have on your hands (and whether you got your work out in already, on that particular day).

So they're not completely lying.
More like, being 'elastic' with the truth.

a.k.a. ....marketing.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Spr0ckets

"Metrotown Mall area" is usually a sliding scale descriptor based on where your development is currently being constructed in the general region.

It might not even be in the same city.

I've seen developments in the Joyce area marketing using "Minutes from Metrotown mall".....which,.....to be fair,...is not a lie.

And to be totally honest, mid-Royal Oak and Edmonds IS steps away from Metrotown.

It's just a matter of how many steps and how much time you have on your hands (and whether you got your work out in already, on that particular day).

So they're not completely lying.
More like, being 'elastic' with the truth.

a.k.a. ....marketing.

Oh I know it's marketing.

I'll have to disagree with you on the 'steps away' description on this one as I used to live near it and it's hard to say it's that close to Royal Oak Station (12 min walk), much less Metrotown mall (30 min walk to Metrotown Station). How many times have people on here commented about developments being too far away from transit with walks sometimes shorter than that (Southgate and River District being two obvious ones that come to mind).

Minutes away driving, sure. I could even stretch that to cycling (depending on time of day). Steps away is quite 'elastic' with reality.

[Spr0ckets]

Originally Posted by Sheba

Oh I know it's marketing.

I'll have to disagree with you on the 'steps away' description on this one as I used to live near it and it's hard to say it's that close to Royal Oak Station (12 min walk), much less Metrotown mall (30 min walk to Metrotown Station). How many times have people on here commented about developments being too far away from transit with walks sometimes shorter than that (Southgate and River District being two obvious ones that come to mind).

Minutes away driving, sure. I could even stretch that to cycling (depending on time of day). Steps away is quite 'elastic' with reality.

Sooo.....
.

......many steps, then?

(just kidding.
You're correct, of course.

Just joshing on the whole "results may vary" aspect of marketing where words can mean whatever they want them to mean.)

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Spr0ckets

Sooo.....
.

......many steps, then?

(just kidding.
You're correct, of course.

Just joshing on the whole "results may vary" aspect of marketing where words can mean whatever they want them to mean.)

Yeah I know.

I think we can agree that Station Square is steps away from Metrotown and the Skytrain. This development on the other hand... It'll be a great development for families that isn't horribly far away from a lot of the things they'll need for day to day living. It isn't quite as close to everything as they make out in the marketing though.

Call me crazy for wanting a little truth in advertising.

[Tanchiro]

Views from the new Parkview tower in Metrotown. I was pressed for time, so I only got these few shots.

[Klazu]

Nice. That is a new angle to the area that is densifying quickly!

[officedweller]

From VancouverMarket.ca:

4444 and 4488 Kingsway
Esso @ Willingdon
by Bosa

The proposal for the site is to rezone the property based on the RM5s /
RM5r and C3 zoning bylaws for a landmark, 70+ storey mixed use high-rise tower, containing the following proposes uses:

• Market condo
• Market rental
• Affordable rental
• Hotel
• Office
• Retail

The proposed gross density is 14.3 FAR.

The application reveals the architect involved: “We have engaged New York based architecture firm Gensler as the design architect, with support by Vancouver based IBI Architects.”

https://vancouvermarket.ca/2021/06/11/burnaby-rezoning-update-2/


6031 Wilson Avenue
by Bosa

The proposed form of development will be a high-rise tower, containing a market condo use, with an accompanying low-rise rental building that will provide the required affordable inclusionary rental housing.

Gensler and IBI are also listed as the architect for the upcoming project.

https://vancouvermarket.ca/2021/06/11/burnaby-rezoning-update-2/


6622 and 6688 Willingdon Avenue
by IDS Group

...
The proposal is a 30-storey condo tower with a 7-storey rental podium.

The total proposed density is 8.3 FAR.

https://vancouvermarket.ca/2021/06/11/burnaby-rezoning-update-2/


3965 North Road
by Candarel

The site is located within the Lougheed Town Centre Plan area and is designated for high-density mixed-use development using the RM5s/RM5r
and C3 Districts as guidelines. The site is currently improved with a gas station and older office building.

The preliminary development concept includes two high-rise condo and rental towers with an office podium, including retail at grade.

The total proposed density is 14.3 FAR.

https://vancouvermarket.ca/2021/06/11/burnaby-rezoning-update-2/

The North Road site is next to Pinnacle's 82, 67, 62 storey project on Gatineau Place (blue outline):


http://vancouvermarket.ca/2019/10/28/82-storey-iconic-landmark-tower-proposed-for-burnaby/

[vanman]

Originally Posted by officedweller

From VancouverMarket.ca:

4444 and 4488 Kingsway
Esso @ Willingdon
by Bosa

Wow that could end up in the 800ft range or taller depending on how many floors of office space and the size of the podium. Might as well go for tallest building west of Toronto and take out Edmonton lol.

[Metro-One]

Okay, did I just get me wish for a true anchor point in a prime location for Metrotown? 70+ stories, mixed with office? At the corner of Willingdon and Kingsway?

Best of all it looks to be a single tower project and not another multi tower block.

Looks like this year could be quite exciting.

[Klazu]

Burnaby just keeps writing the rules for everyone. And for a moment I was thinking that Surrey might take the crown but nope!

Only five years from now Burnaby may be home to seven towers over 200 metres in height. SEVEN!! Vancouver won't even get to see a second one!

[Spr0ckets]

Originally Posted by officedweller

From VancouverMarket.ca:

.....

Great info.

Thanks for corralling it all up.

I believe Gensler are actually based (read : HQ'd) in San Fransisco (but they do have a NY office..... and an L.A. office).
I have a former classmate who works with/for them.

So the Esso site finally gets redeveloped, like everyone always wondered if it would.
And it seems like it will be for a landmark tower.

The only other prime spot in that location now left (aside from the old Orchid Square) would be the Bed/mattress store across the street from Station Square (which I heard sits on a lot already owned by a big developer), and next door to the Hilton and Crystal Mall.
Seems to be like there are quite a few Gensler/IBI projects for that neighborhood of Metrotown.
This would be like the third one in a row now (including the other one on this list).
There's going to be quite a bit of densification of that area over the next several years.

It's great to see Kingsway finally getting some redevelopment love.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Klazu

Burnaby just keeps writing the rules for everyone. And for a moment I was thinking that Surrey might take the crown but nope!

Only five years from now Burnaby may be home to seven towers over 200 metres in height. SEVEN!! Vancouver won't even get to see a second one!

You don't say! Definitely saw this coming.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Klazu

Burnaby just keeps writing the rules for everyone. And for a moment I was thinking that Surrey might take the crown but nope!

Only five years from now Burnaby may be home to seven towers over 200 metres in height. SEVEN!! Vancouver won't even get to see a second one!

I've noticed the trend for Burnaby becoming the pace setter in height, too. And yes, it's exciting as Burnaby takes the lead and grows tall and bold.

That said, Vancouver remaining tabletop as it largely is, I'm generally ok with that, but would love to see an 800+ ft landmark tower preferably on the current Burrard Building site,
smack downtown, as a centrepiece.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by officedweller

From VancouverMarket.ca:

4444 and 4488 Kingsway
Esso @ Willingdon
by Bosa


https://vancouvermarket.ca/2021/06/11/burnaby-rezoning-update-2/


6031 Wilson Avenue
by Bosa


https://vancouvermarket.ca/2021/06/11/burnaby-rezoning-update-2/


6622 and 6688 Willingdon Avenue
by IDS Group

I presume they meant net density that is 14.3 FSR. I'd like to see the breakdown of that density, which is very high by even Metrotown standards. My guess is they be transferring some density from another site, as well as building a significant office or hotel tower in order to realize the maximum residential density (going by the Metrotown rezoning rules).

The site is approximately 80 000 sq feet x 14.3 = 1.14 million sq feet.

The site looks too small for 3 towers, so you would have 2 very tall towers.

[vanman]

The proposal is for a single landmark tower of 70+ floors. Not sure where you're getting the idea that there will be multiple towers on the site.

[Spr0ckets]

Originally Posted by vanman

The proposal is for a single landmark tower of 70+ floors. Not sure where you're getting the idea that there will be multiple towers on the site.

I was confused about that too.
For a moment there, I thought he was referring to the North Rd. site project, which is likewise also 14.3 FSR but a proposal for two towers, but then he clearly mentions Metrotown in his comment so it must be the Willingdon/Kingsway project which is clearly stated as a single tower.

That site looks too small (IMO) for a two tower project, anyway.
(Especially if you compare the neighbouring tower floorplates of Sovereign, and the Station Square Towers)

Most likely it will have a sizable podium (6-8 storeys or more) if they're to include both hotel and office component as part of the program in addition to the non-market and market residential condo portion.

I'm actually glad its Bosa.
They usually execute high-standard and high-quality projects, and take their time doing so.
This one shouldn't have any problems selling out quick.

[logan5]

It seemed like a lot of sq footage for 1 tower, even with a large podium. It’s over a million square feet. Maybe somebody with some modelling skills can make a massing of what a 1 tower 70 some odd floors at 1.1 million sq feet looks like.