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The City of Vancouver has recently approved a two-property rezoning application submitted by the Onni Group, paving the way for the construction of 424 & 454 W Pender. The two 11-storey mid-rise residential towers will soon dramatically change the local streetscape, after the demolition of a low-rise diner and redevelopment of a long-standing parking lot.
Sandwiched between Gastown and the bustling Granville commercial corridor, the added density will be a boon to the area. The arrival of fresh rental stock to downtown Vancouver will be a relief for those seeking to live in the centre of the action. More than this, the loss of the low-rise diner, and to a greater extent, of the under-utilized surface lot, will not be mourned as the added density presents a far better use for such a desirable piece of downtown real estate.
The approval comes after a round of design revisions carried out by IBI Group. The towers have been slightly reduced in size and density, and their exteriors have been altered to better fit into the surrounding streetscape through the incorporation of several period-appropriate materials and details, including masonry cladding along with decorative friezes and cornices added to the upper levels in reference to the architectural heritage of the neighbourhood.
At 72 and 68 units apiece, 424 & 454 W Pender will bring an influx of at least 200 new residents to the area. The two towers combine to add nearly 140 market-rate rental units, 176 bike stalls, and eight car-share spaces to the block.
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.
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