On February 6, 2017, the Vancouver Heritage Commission voted unanimously to approve the planned redevelopment of the former Canada Post Office located at 349 West Georgia Street in the heart of downtown Vancouver. The three-tower 800-unit project, designed by Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership for Bentall Kennedy, will dramatically alter the profile and size of the current structure, while leaving much of the 1958-built Canada Post Office — including several key decorative elements — intact, thus satisfying local concerns. Given the current rate of heritage demolition now underway across much of Metro Vancouver, this could become an example of how heritage and redevelopment can exist in harmony. 

The Post on Georgia, heritage elements visible, image via Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership

Members of the Heritage Commission were impressed by the developer's commitment to retaining the shell, and thus the entire facade of the handsome Mid-Century Modern limestone-clad office block, along with two of the most significant decorative elements: the signature cast-aluminum Canadian Coat of Arms and a bas-relief sculpture of a letter-carrier that are both part of the original building. While the interior will be gutted to allow for redevelopment, the impact to the neighbourhood and surrounding downtown streetscape will be a net positive one. The blend of historic and modern design elements will become part of Vancouver's quickly evolving urban fabric. 

The Post on Georgia, image via Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership

Originally proposed as a five-tower development, today's plans call for an arrangement of three towers, which will include a 17-storey office tower, paired with two residential towers at 18 and 20 storeys apiece. The first residential tower will be home to 372 condo units, while the taller of the two will host 427 rental apartments, bringing the total to just shy of 800. As for the former post office, it will be transformed into a massive seven-storey podium that is set to become a vibrant commercial hub complete with ample retail and dining options, with major anchor tenants yet to be announced. 

Former post office to become a vibrant commercial hub, image via Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership

Once complete, The Post on Georgia will have completely transformed an entire block of downtown Vancouver. The former dead space created by the single-purpose office block will be dramatically reborn as a bustling hive of activity as office workers, residents, and shoppers mingle along the completely redesigned public space that will line the structure along all four sides. 

Redesigned public realm to replace former parking lot, image via Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership

Culminating in what will be a massive improvement to the current street presence of the former Canada Post Office, The Post on Georgia will be a boon to the downtown core, part of the ongoing urban transformation that has defined much of the city for the last two decades. 

West Georgia Street frontage, image via Google Maps

SkyriseVancouver will be sure to return to this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Database file and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.