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Its past due for a makeover of the Oakridge Centre lands, Vancouver's first auto-oriented shopping mall, and experienced developers Westbank and QuadReal Property Group have more than a few big things in store. The project proponents delivered a presentation to the media in Whistler during the International Council of Shopping Centres convention on Monday, wowing the capacity crowd with images of swooping towers and major community amenities, a proclaimed "cultural hub" more akin to a self-contained city than a simple shopping destination.
The 28-acre property at Cambie Street and 41st Avenue has been a redevelopment target for years, with the City issuing rezoning of the site in 2014. Ivanhoe Cambridge owned the property until June 2017, when QuadReal stepped in and subsequently assembled an international team of more than 50 firms. Henriquez Partners Architects, Gensler and Adamson Associates are working with local firm PFS and Tokyo's Wonderwall, who will be responsible for the interior design of the new shopping spaces.
Considering the number of things planned here, it's almost easier to identify what's not included in the development. While the old plan kept components of the existing shopping centre and added density around it, the newest iteration will fully rebuild all commercial elements. Virtually every square foot of the site will be transformed. The office and residential complex at the corner of Cambie and 41st is not part of the development, and will therefore be retained.
Approximately one million square feet of retail, 2,600 residences and office space for 3,000 workers will be situated across multiple towers of differing height and stature. The revamped site will be home to a 100,000-square-foot community centre and daycare, the second-largest library branch in the city, a nine-acre rooftop park, a 3,000-seat live music venue, and a performing arts space for Goh Ballet Academy. The development is also looking at implementing the largest public art program in Vancouver history.
The three-phase construction process will allow portions of the existing mall to remain open as work is carried out. The project is scheduled to begin later this year with completion anticipated by 2025. The first retail and office spaces could be ready as soon as 2022.
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| Related Companies: | Gensler, QuadReal Property Group |
