Downtown Vancouver Updates II

[Changing City]

There's an article in The Georgia Straight suggesting The Penthouse Club might (finally) take a developer's off.

""The numbers just don't work anymore," Filippone said plainly. "You can run 365 days a year, do all the events, fill the room—but between salaries, taxes, and the cost of operating downtown, there's not much left."

The family is in discussions with developers. The land beneath the club is where the true value lies. And despite nostalgia, legacy, and decades of community support, the economic pressure is unrelenting.

The Penthouse will not last forever."

[gaviscon]

888-896 Cambie St rezoning application submitted !!!



https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/888-896-cambie-st

[jollyburger]

Maybe they can find out who owns the parking lot and convince them to sell.

In 1938, the land
where The Penthouse is now located at 1019 Seymour Street was purchased for
$1,400.14 The family eventually also purchased the property at 1032 Seymour,
1036 Seymour, and 1052 Seymour which they eventually sold to Onni
Development Corporation for $7 million in 2006.

https://summit.sfu.ca/_flysystem/fed..._MShearman.pdf

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Maybe they can find out who owns the parking lot and convince them to sell.

I'm not convinced Onni own the site to the south of the Penthouse. For years it's been a showroom for Amacon projects - most recently Block. Maybe Onni sold it on? (Amacon and Onni were partners on their early Downtown towers in the 2000s). No idea who owns the corner parking lot, but its use is linked to the hotel on Granville.

[Alex Mackinnon]

Originally Posted by Changing City

I'm not convinced Onni own the site to the south of the Penthouse. For years it's been a showroom for Amacon projects - most recently Block. Maybe Onni sold it on? (Amacon and Onni were partners on their early Downtown towers in the 2000s). No idea who owns the corner parking lot, but its use is linked to the hotel on Granville.

Amacon is the same family as Onni.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Alex Mackinnon

Amacon is the same family as Onni.

There's some DeCotiis family history in this 2014 BIV article:

[Lilliana] De Cotiis and her siblings named their company Amacon, after late father Amalio and mother Concetta. Amalio was part of the first generation of De Cotiises to arrive in Vancouver. He came with parents Donato and Teresa and three sisters as well as brothers Marcangelo, Inno, Vito and Michael in a staggered migration.

Together the brothers named their development company Viam, which was an acronym made up of the first letters of the brothers' names.

Eldest brother Marcangelo eventually had a falling out with his brothers that was serious enough to devolve into legal action.

Vito died in his 30s. Inno created his own real estate development company and named it by spelling his own name backwards: Onni. Youngest brother Michael then founded and still runs Pinnacle International.

https://www.biv.com/news/real-estate...y-ties-8238547

Viam built the Pinnacle Tower on Homer St. as well as the green roofed condos at Park Royal.

... and Inno died in 2020:

https://onni.com/about/innocenzo-de-cotiis/

Here's Michael DeCotiis celebrating the pouring of the 100th floor at Pinnacle SkyTower in Toronto this week:


https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2025/11...hreshold.59915

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by gaviscon

888-896 Cambie St rezoning application submitted !!!

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/888-896-cambie-st

Now retaining the facade at 888 Cambie,
and building up the alley elevation of 888 Cambie to create a pseudo heritage streetscape.


https://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applic...et.pdf#page=69


https://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applic...et.pdf#page=69


https://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applic...et.pdf#page=69

Present streetview:


https://www.google.com/maps/@49.2767...oASAFQAw%3D%3D

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Now retaining the facade at 888 Cambie,
and building up the alley elevation of 888 Cambie to create a pseudo heritage streetscape.

Kind of. The Cambie facade is dismantled and re-created 2 feet higher so that the floor levels match.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Alex Mackinnon

Amacon is the same family as Onni.

It was a showroom for Amacon's Beasley ~2008, The Mark, Onni's Central.. Was available for lease for a while and then Boffo's The Smithe

There used to be a real estate agency in 1057 Seymour (the building on the other side of the parking lot mid-block) and they moved into the COV building on the corner with social housing because that building was being "redeveloped".

https://council.vancouver.ca/2013110...t_Redacted.pdf

Also that building in 2014 was painted the same red as on the showroom building. I assume those properties and the parking lot are probably held by the same people.

[SFUVancouver]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Maybe they can find out who owns the parking lot and convince them to sell.

https://summit.sfu.ca/_flysystem/fed..._MShearman.pdf

FWIW, $1,400 in 1938 is $30,450 today.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by jozero

Aritzia moving into the empty Nordstrom space!

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/arit...mall-vancouver

Looks like Aritzia is expanding rapidly. I wish they are not over-extending themselves like many others that failed miserably, especially for a business that only focuses on the fairer sex. If the flagship were to open here at Pacific Centre, then I suppose their former flagship store at Thurlow/Robson would be closing.

I am very glad that they are opening up the dining concept in the renovated former Nordstrom space, as that will bring more than just the ladies into their establishment.

Hopefully, there will be an internal access hallway linking all the four retailers when the former department store space is sub-divided.

[bb1510]

Originally Posted by gaviscon

888-896 Cambie St rezoning application submitted !!!



https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/888-896-cambie-st

Actually it was submitted back in May 21, 2025 but the City finally made the package public, which is great to finally see all the details

[bb1510]

Does it get its own page now? I forget what the rules are for proposed projects

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Vin

Hopefully, there will be an internal access hallway linking all the four retailers when the former department store space is sub-divided.

If the Toronto Eaton Centre Nordstrom subdivision is an example, that seems unlikely. It may also create a shoplifting problem if two stores abutt at a doorway in the middle of the building.
... as you've identified, that may mean there's no ability to walk through the building and the large 3 level space may only have entrances from Granville and Georgia (and maybe elevators from the mall).

The escalator from Aritzia down to the mall level could act to feed people from Robson down into the mall (but not easily to the big space (i.e. Simons)). It would help if Simons has an entrance on Howe St.

[jollyburger]

I don't think there were any other Howe Street entrances though I think they need to figure out something for Tenant 1 since they aren't going to share Aritzia's entrance.

WITH REPOSITIONING THE BUILDING FROM A SINGLE STORE TO MULTIPLE STORES WITHIN THE EXISTING BUILDING, EACH NEW TENANT WILL REQUIRE EXTERIOR ACCESS ENLIVENING THE PEDESTRIAN STREETSCAPE. THE EXISTING THREE ENTRIES (GEORGIA STREET PLAZA FOR TENANT 4, GRANVILLE
STREET FOR TENANT 1, AND THE CORNER OF ROBSON STREET/HOWE STREET FOR TENANT 2) PROVIDE STREET ACCESS FOR THESE NEW TENANTS. THE CF PACIFIC CENTRE ENTRANCE AT THE CORNER OF ROBSON/GRANVILLE STREETS WILL BE MAINTAINED FOR THE MALL ENTRY AND POTENTIAL
ACCESS INTO TENANT 1.

https://ehq-production-canada.s3.ca-...0d8b71e716fcca

[jollyburger]

1031-1039 Burnaby St rezoning application

The City of Vancouver has received an application to rezone the subject site from RM-5A (Residential) District to CD-1 (Comprehensive Development) District. The proposal is to allow for the development of a 32-storey rental residential building with a six-storey podium and includes:

329 units with 20% of the floor area for below-market rental units;
A floor space ratio (FSR) of 12.23; and
A building height of 90.2 m (296 ft.) with additional height for rooftop amenity space.
(External link)

This application is being considered under the West End Community Plan(External link).

The Boxer Group of Companies intend to enter into a binding agreement with VRS Communities
through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaboratively deliver a project that
maximizes affordability and accessibility. The partnership aims to develop an application where
VRS will purchase and retain ownership of 60 non-market rental units, focusing on providing
housing solutions for individuals requiring accessible and affordable housing.
VRS Communities, with over 50 years of experience, has a proven track record of developing
housing and wrap-around supports that allow individuals with disabilities, seniors, and other
vulnerable populations to live independently in the community. Details about VRS Communities
and their operational expertise have been included to highlight their capacity to deliver this
project successfully.
The partnership between Boxer Group of Companies and VRS Communities at 1031 and 1039
Burnaby Street represents a unique opportunity to develop much-needed affordable housing
in Vancouver’s West End. Ideally located near transit, green spaces, and essential services, this
project will provide a solid foundation for individuals and families to thrive while meeting the
growing demand for accessible and affordable housing in the region.

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/1031-1039-burnaby

Boxer Holdings/Boxer Group of Companies seems to be Regina Boxer

This all-too-familiar set of facts was the contextual background for a series of cases before BC courts. George Melcer and Joseph Boxer incorporated and owned equal shares of Radio City Investments Ltd. Joseph Boxer transferred his shares to Boxer Holdings, which his family continued to operate upon his eventual death. Similarly, Mr. Melcer passed away, but left behind his share in Radio City to a testamentary trust. His will clearly instructed that these shares of Radio City be held by his estate for as long as possible. The testator did not want the shares to be quickly transferred to the remaining shareholder. Radio City owned two assets, a Burnaby Apartment building and shares in a different corporation holding another apartment building in Vancouver proper. Over a dozen years after Mr. Melcer's death, Boxer Holdings offered to purchase Melcer Estate's shares in Radio City for approximately $3 million. The beneficiaries of the Estate declined the purchase offer, since they had no fair market valuation on which to assess the offer.

https://www.estateably.com/blog/melc...orporate-asset

Radio City owns two assets:

a) an apartment building located at 1031 Burnaby Street, Vancouver, BC, with PID 015-749-355 (the “Radio City Property”); and

b) shares in Canaland Developments Ltd. (“Canaland”), which is the owner of an apartment building located at 3707 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, with PIDs 011-485-078, 011-485-108, 011-485-141, 011-485-167, and 011‑485-183 ( the “Canaland Property”).

https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcsc/do...18bcsc775.html

[gaviscon]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/1031-1039-burnaby

Boxer Holdings/Boxer Group of Companies seems to be Regina Boxer



https://www.estateably.com/blog/melc...orporate-asset



https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcsc/do...18bcsc775.html

Did you guys know that construction for 1045 Burnaby next door is well underway for a while now?

[Spr0ckets]

Originally Posted by officedweller

There's some DeCotiis family history in this 2014 BIV article:

https://www.biv.com/news/real-estate...y-ties-8238547

Viam built the Pinnacle Tower on Homer St. as well as the green roofed condos at Park Royal.

... and Inno died in 2020:

https://onni.com/about/innocenzo-de-cotiis/

Here's Michael DeCotiis celebrating the pouring of the 100th floor at Pinnacle SkyTower in Toronto this week:


https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2025/11...hreshold.59915

So really, the real estate and development industry in Vancouver (and possibly Canada writ large) is run or defined by just 4 or 5 families (or people connected to, or are a part of them).

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Spr0ckets

So really, the real estate and development industry in Vancouver (and possibly Canada writ large) is run or defined by just 4 or 5 families (or people connected to, or are a part of them).

Here's what Google AI says about the Bosa family:

The primary Bosa development companies are Bosa Properties Inc. and Bosa Development Corp., along with other family-affiliated companies like IPB Group, Bosa Construction, Axiom Builders, and BlueSky Properties. Bosa Properties handles development and management, Bosa Development is involved in construction and development, Bosa Construction provides construction services, and Axiom Builders is a trusted third-party construction company.
Bosa family development companies
Bosa Properties Inc.: A developer and manager of residential and commercial properties.
Bosa Development Corp.: Focuses on development projects and has built a significant rental apartment portfolio.
Axiom Builders: A third-party construction company often used by other developers, including those in the Bosa family.
Bosa Construction: A company with decades of experience in residential, commercial, and institutional construction.
BlueSky Properties: An end-to-end real estate developer that develops properties in emerging neighborhoods.
IPB Group: Includes the U.S. subsidiary Bosa Properties, IPB Properties, which has a focus on development in the United States.
Embassy: While Embassy Development initially merged with Bosa Development, it remains a separate entity.
How they work together
Diversification: The family's numerous companies work to diversify the Bosa brand across various parts of the real estate industry, including different project types and geographic regions.
Strategic Partnership: Bosa Properties might own a piece of land, while Bosa Development handles the construction and management of the building, creating a strategic partnership.
Third-Party Work: Companies like Axiom Builders perform construction work for third parties as well as for other Bosa companies, which allows them to build a trusted reputation across the industry.

https://www.google.com/search?q=what...ile-gws-wiz-hp

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Here's what Google AI says about the Bosa family

AI is not a very reliable as a source. Bosa Properties (founded by Robert Bosa) and Bosa Development (founded by his brother, Nat Bosa) are quite separate, and effectively rivals (although both run by members of the same family). They ended up in court arguing about rights to use the family name in 2022.

Embassy Development was run by another member of the family, but merged with Bosa Development in 2017. Solterra is also owned by a member of the Bosa family. IPB Group now owns Bosa Properties, Bosa Construction and Axiom Builders. Appia Development is owned by Jim Bosa, Nat's son.