The proposed Westbank development at the north end of Granville Street Bridge, designed by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels of Bjarke Ingels Group, goes to public hearing Oct. 24.
Vancouver firm Dialog is collaborating with BIG on the project.
On the Howe Street sites, the development proposal envisions a 52-story tower with 407 residential units and a 10-storey podium with retail and 95 residential market units.
On the Granville and Pacific sites, the proposal is for six-story buildings for retail and office purposes.
Ingels told the Courierin an interview earlier this year that the 52-storey tower “grows” rather than twists from a triangular shape at the base to a rectangular shape at the top.
The city’s Urban Design Panel has endorsed the project. Reaction was mixed at two open houses. One held in April 2012 attracted 386 visitor and generated 116 comment sheets — with 38 per cent in support and 37 per cent opposed. The city also received about 51 letters, emails and online comment forms, with 41 per cent in support and 45 per cent opposed.
Ingels appeared at the second open house held in February, which attracted 403 visitors and a total of 51 comment sheets — 71 per cent in support, 14 per cent opposed. Fifteen more letters, emails and online comment forms were submitted to the city with 53 per cent in support and 33 per cent opposed.
Supporters felt the project would have “a transformational effect on the area,” according a staff report that went before city council in September. They cited benefits such as increased commercial space and public realm improvements. There was also “strong support” for the design and sustainability features.
Objections included concerns the tower is too high and dense, that there would be a loss of views and increased shadowing, as well as an increase in traffic and noise along with pressure on existing infrastructure to service the increase in residents.
The staff report stated: “the proposed land uses, density and height are supported, and that the public benefits of this project would provide a significant contribution towards a number of city objectives. The proposal demonstrates a significant and recognizable new benchmark for architectural creativity, a high level of sustainability, and an enhanced public realm in a new neighbourhood commercial centre. Further, if approved, significant community benefits would be achieved both on and off the site.”
Dialog would not comment on the project and public hearing in time for the Courier’s deadline.
But like many proposed developments, it has a Twitter handle — @Beach_and_Howe, which has become particularly active in the last couple of weeks promoting the project.
