VANCOUVER — PC Urban Properties Corp. and Harrison Street Asset Management are partnering on a two-tower rental development at 13th and Willow, directly across from Vancouver General Hospital, aimed specifically at attracting health care workers.
This is the first development of its kind in Vancouver and one of the first in Canada, explains a release. It will provide 507 affordable rental homes designed to meet the needs of hospital employees and health care workers.
PC Urban previously rezoned the site last year as a two-tower rental development with 354 homes. However, subsequent to final adoption of the zoning bylaw, the developer decided to recast the site to provide housing prioritizing health care workers. A new rezoning application was submitted in the fall and approved in February of this year by Vancouver council. Construction will be underway this fall and completion is estimated for mid-2029.
PC URBAN PROPERTIES CORP. — The two towers will both be 22 storeys and will be coupled with an 11,000-square-foot, two-storey, extended hours child care facility as well as wellness and rooftop amenities.
The two towers will both be 22 storeys and will be coupled with an 11,000-square-foot, two-storey, extended hours child care facility as well as wellness and rooftop amenities. All homes will be aligned with Westside Area Development Cost Levy affordable rates.
“Our role as a city is to create the conditions for new, innovative housing approaches to come forward,” said Dan Garrison, director of housing policy for the City of Vancouver, in a statement. “Enabling affordable housing near Vancouver General Hospital is a practical step that supports the hospital, health care workers and the broader community. It also aligns with the Vancouver Official Development Plan by advancing our goal of building complete, connected neighbourhoods. We thank PC Urban for their leadership and creativity in creating a first-of-its-kind affordable housing solution in Vancouver.”
The two residential rental buildings have been redesigned to include a mix of studios, one- bedroom and two-bedroom fully-furnished homes with utilities, WiFi and other amenities included in the rent, the release adds.
Amenities will include rooftop indoor and outdoor spaces with gathering areas, dining areas, workout spaces, guest suites for visitors and children’s play areas. There will also be a gym, indoor space and an activated laneway with a small outdoor amenity terrace and a dog run area.
The project is aiming for LEED Gold certification. EV charging stations and spaces for car share will be provided as well as onsite bicycle facilities such as off-street bicycle lockers/rooms and bike and repair wash facilities.