A mid-rise residential proposal submitted by IBI Group on behalf of Solterra Development will go before the Development Permit Board this month. The 11-storey tower would occupy the southwest corner of Fir Street and West 7th Avenue, replacing a vacant lot that previously housed a two-storey office building.

1616 West 7th Avenue, image via submission to the City of Vancouver

The proposal for 1616 West 7th Avenue includes 43 residential tower units and four two-storey townhomes situated along West 7th Avenue. A 5,901-square-foot community amenity space spanning two levels would be located at the southwest corner of the podium along Fir Street.

1616 West 7th Avenue, image via submission to the City of Vancouver

A previously approved plan for the property achieved a floor space ratio of 3.3, with 31,041 square feet of gross floor area. Solterra is seeking an additional 13,841 square feet of density in return for the provision of the public amenity space.

The building leans towards the east to accommodate additional density. To respect the privacy of adjacent residents, the form steps back on the eighth level on the southern elevation. The community amenity space is visually differentiated from the base of the tower through the use of vertical metal panels. A series of vertical fins on the east facade also help break up the expanse of windows.

1616 West 7th Avenue, image via submission to the City of Vancouver

The application is "conditional" under existing C-3A zoning, requiring a positive decision from the Development Permit Board to move forward. The project is scheduled to be assessed by the Board on January 20 at 3 PM inside the Town Hall Meeting Room at City Hall.

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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