Long reputed to have the most people per square kilometer of any part of Canada, Vancouver’s West End will be increasing its densification with this month’s approval for the building of two high rises.
Photo: Bosa Properties
They are being called the twin towers, although one will be 56 storeys tall and the other 59, and they’ll go up where Barclay Street intersects with Thurlow. City councillors unanimously approved the project after receiving 21 submissions in its favor and two against.
Developed by Bosa Properties, the multi-purpose structures will add 1,100 homes to the West End. In its last census, Statistics Canada reported that the West End’s population density was 23,838 residents per square kilometer. Downtown Vancouver’s densification is 18,837, making it the densest city centre in Canada.
To be built at 1040 and 1080 Barclay, the sister high rises will be the same yet different. The West Tower will have 365 condominium homes in the upper levels, 99 social housing units in the base levels, and a 4,600 square-foot childcare facility at ground level. The East Tower will have 636 secured purpose-built rental homes, including 506 market rental units and 130 below-market rental units.
They will join more high-rise buildings in the immediate area. Some are under construction, and all of them will contribute to providing more places for people to live in downtown Vancouver in general, and the West End in particular.
Photo: Bosa Properties