The YMCA at 955 Burrard Street is a development success story and evidence of how skyscraping additions to neighbourhoods can produce tangible benefits to the community. A $250 million project launched by Concert Properties not only produced a 42-storey residential highrise designed by Stantec Architecture and Endall Elliot Associates, but it renovated and expanded the aging YMCA facility that fronted the property.

Patina under construction behind the YMCA building in July 2009, image by Darren Kirby via Wikimedia Commons

Concert acquired the air rights for the lot behind the Art Moderne-style YMCA, built in 1941, and when the dust was settled, shared its profits with the organization to the tune of $14.6 million. After hammering out density transfers and heritage density bonuses that would permit the 256-unit Patina tower to rise, while ensuring the preservation and rehabilitation of the original YMCA building, Concert moved forward with the intricate task of fleshing out their vision.

Patina and the upgraded YMCA facility in April 2010, image by Flickr user Darren Kirby via Creative Commons

The front facade of the YMCA — adorned with symmetrical cornices and a buff brick and red terra cotta tile — was ultimately retained. The rear section of the structure behind the original gym and pool was demolished, making way for a six-storey glass addition that would bring the facility's square footage up to 92,000. Now called the Robert Lee YMCA, bearing the name of local developer and co-founder of Wall Financial Corporation, the upgraded facility now includes a two-storey childcare with 69 spaces, a preschool and family development centre with a rooftop play area, a 25-yard indoor pool, and multiple interior fitness areas.

The completed development in 2011, image via Concert Properties

Patina juxtaposes its heritage base with an eastern face of glass and steel, while the western elevation sports concrete, brick and punched windows in deference to the warmth of the West End neighbourhood. The YMCA reopened in May 2010 after its three-year closure and $67 million renovation, while the residential tower in behind opened in the following months.  

The completed development in 2015, image retrieved from Google Street View

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