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Since we last covered the project in November, construction has continued on The Independent, a 21-storey, multi-building, mixed-use development that will contribute 258 residential units to Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood.
Located at 285 East 10th Avenue on the corner of Main St. and Broadway near Kingsway, the Acton Ostry Architects Inc.-designed building’s eclectic exterior combines an array of multi-coloured brick and glass. The project includes residential, commercial, and office spaces that will complement the up-and-coming neighbourhood’s mix of young urban professionals, families, and artists.
Housed in a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, in addition to town houses, residents of The Independent will be able to choose between three colour schemes for their new home. In addition, residents will be served by on-site amenities such as a 1,200-square-foot fitness centre and a 3,300-square-foot multi-purpose room.
While offering a beautiful design that encapsulates the neighbourhood’s artistic character and a range of onsite amenities, it’s The Independent’s 20,000-square-foot backyard — one of the largest private parks in Vancouver — that will surely be a huge selling point for buyers in Vancouver’s already white-hot real estate market. Located between the development’s tower and enclosing podium, The Independent’s backyard will include a children’s play area, a dining deck, and garden space that will serve to connect residents for community events, projects, and recreational activities.
Looking closer at pictures of the project’s ongoing development, several small changes demonstrate The Independent’s progression in just three short months. The project’s enclosing podium — previously a mix of scaffolding, construction materials, and concrete framing — has slowly risen from the site’s ground level, as the development continues to grow. By contrast, the project’s tower, which previously stood level with the building’s podium, has rapidly grown in stature, extending far above the podium and well on its way to the project’s 21-storey height.
The Independent has been controversial since the City of Vancouver approved the project back in 2012. Residents Association Mount Pleasant, a community group based in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, cited in a 2015 B.C. Supreme Court petition against developer Rize Alliance Properties and the City of Vancouver that the project’s scale and design were radically different than what was initially proposed for the site. Resident Association Mount Pleasant indicated that the building’s scale — it is a highrise development in a predominantly mid- and low-rise area — would increase shadow impact, in addition to negatively impacting the neighbourhood’s streetscape and traffic. However, these petitions were dismissed by the courts.
As construction enters its final stages, it will be interesting to see how The Independent will contribute to the existing character of the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. For some, the development will continue to symbolize the ongoing gentrification that has changed the neighbourhood from a former sanctuary for artists and creatives to a trendy, sought-after location for first-time home buyers and young professionals. However, it's not a surprise that the development’s mix of uses — as well as its beautiful outdoor space and sleek Danish-inspired interior — has led the development to sell out well before its opening later in 2017.
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