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Highrise condominium construction is part and parcel of everyday life in Vancouver. The tower-on-a-podium building typology has become synonymous with the city, so much so that the term 'Vancouverism' was coined to give the phenomena — and the healthy urban vibrancy produced by high-density living — proper recognition. With the term now firmly embedded in planning parlance, some recent building developments have even taken to referencing the constituent elements of Vancouverism in their names.
In 2009, construction of the 29-storey Atelier on Robson had topped out. Built by Magellan 20/20 and designed by IBI/HB Architects, the 202-unit building fastened a large podium to the streetscape, from which a cylindrical tower complete with floor-to-ceiling glass and an abundance of balconies rose. It encapsulated the defining architectural traits of Vancouverism, just as another project rising across the street did.
But this 34-storey development at 888 Homer Street alluded to the neologism more explicitly. Completed in 2011 with 211 units, The Beasley borrows its name from Larry Beasley, who as Co-Director of Planning for Vancouver, guided growth of the city towards an urban-minded future. He invoked New Urbanist principles and reinforced the importance of liveability as a tool to give Vancouver a competitive edge. In 2004, his contributions to public service were given national attention when he was made a Member of the Order of Canada. The building that bears his name was spearheaded by Amacon Development and designed by GBL Architects.
Flash forward to 2016, and both buildings can be seen completed, though The Beasley is mostly obscured by the tower at the northwest corner of Homer and Robson. In a move that left many Vancouverites dumbstruck, the former 1,800-seat Centre for Performing Arts, seen on the right, has since transferred ownership to a fundamentalist evangelical church group.
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