A formal application submitted to the City of Vancouver describes the plans Westbank has for the southeast corner of Alberni and Bidwell streets, where a 39-storey luxury condominium tower has been proposed. Designed by Bing Thom Architects, the development at 1668-1684 Alberni would supplant two existing towers on the property, and contain a total of 94 condominium units.

A rendering for the 39-storey proposal, image via Westbank

The majority of the residences will include three bedrooms, with 55 in total. There will also be 25 two-bedroom units, 13 one-bedroom layouts, and one four-bedroom option. Roughly 180 underground parking stalls and 120 bicycle parking spaces are on tap for the West End property. 

Putting the building in context, image via Westbank

Bing Thom Architects is the practice behind the sculptural form of the building, which employs an "architectural spine" that runs up the middle of each elevation. This exoskeleton is inspired by "repeated structures found in nature" that when assembled together, "achieve greater strength and beauty," reads the design rationale for the project. 

The podium will be topped by a green roof, image via Westbank

The external profile of the building stands in sharp contrast to the typical "monolithic extruded" design employed in residential architecture throughout Vancouver. The webbed pattern of this geometric skin fosters two-storey balcony expanses, with larger-than-usual podium villas provided on the lower levels. 

A unique exoskeleton delineates the balconies, image via Westbank

The building will be separated from the sidewalk by a fronting reflecting pool, with access to the tower provided by a small pedestrian bridge. The lobby is set to contain a grand piano off an amenity spa that features private massage rooms.

These two buildings would be replaced by the single tower, image retrieved from Google Street View

Westbank's tower would rise next to a 42-storey tower developed by Hollyburn Properties. Taken together, the buildings represent a dramatic change in the composition of the neighbourhood, which like the rest of the city, is undergoing rapid densification. Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.