Massive new development could transform key corner near Moody Centre Station with rentals, retail, and public art

A major new development is on the horizon for Port Moody’s evolving Moody Centre neighbourhood. Anthem Properties has submitted a rezoning and development permit application for a 26-storey mixed-use building at 2914 St Johns Street, set to deliver 325 purpose-built rental homes alongside nearly 32,000 square feet of retail and office space. Strategically located just steps from Moody Centre SkyTrain Station, the project is poised to help shape the future of this key transit-oriented district.

A Landmark Proposal Anchored in Transit-Oriented Vision

The site, spanning multiple addresses between St. Johns Street, Williams Street, and Spring Street, lies in the heart of the Moody Centre Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Area. As outlined in the Port Moody Official Community Plan (OCP), this area is envisioned as a vibrant, walkable hub that supports sustainable growth and active transportation. Anthem’s proposal strongly aligns with this vision.

With a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 6.2, the project leverages its proximity—less than 200 metres—to rapid transit to deliver both housing density and commercial activation. A wide pedestrian plaza cutting through the site will connect St. Johns and Spring Streets, providing new public space and mid-block permeability for foot traffic. The plaza will sit adjacent to a glazed residential lobby, adding further transparency and interaction with the public realm.

*Photo by city of Port Moody

A Bold, Community-Focused Urban Design

Designed by GBL Architects, the 26-storey tower rises from a six-storey podium that wraps around the site, with varied massing to break up the street wall and maintain a pedestrian scale. Facing Spring Street, the podium steps down to a smaller volume, while the tower is split and staggered to reduce its visual mass.

The design blends tactile materials such as brick, cement panels, and metal cladding in a subdued palette of greys and whites, with wood-tone soffits and thin charcoal canopies softening the retail frontages. The north-facing retail spaces are rendered in lighter tones to brighten the pedestrian realm.

Reflecting Port Moody’s identity as the “City of the Arts,” the development proposes public art installations on the Spring Street frontage and throughout landscaped areas. These pieces will be curated in collaboration with local artists to reflect the city’s history and cultural spirit.

325 Purpose-Built Rentals, Including 30% Family-Sized Units

At a time when rental housing is in high demand, the proposal’s 325 purpose-built rental homes will offer much-needed supply in a central, transit-connected location. The unit mix spans from studios to three-bedroom apartments, with over 30% of homes designed for families, including 24 three-bedroom suites.

Notably, 50% of the units (162 homes) are planned to meet the City’s adaptable housing standards, supporting accessibility and inclusive living. Unit sizes range from compact 383-square-foot studios to spacious 891-square-foot three-bedroom layouts, making the development attractive to a wide demographic of renters.

Retail and Employment Uses Activate the Street

The project proposes approximately 32,250 square feet of commercial and office space, concentrated at the podium level. Retail spaces wrap around three frontages—St. Johns, Spring, and Williams Streets—with room for anchor tenants, boutique shops, cafes, or even a local brewery.

Above the Spring Street retail level, office space will provide opportunities for employment in the heart of the Moody Centre TOD. This aligns with the city’s broader ambition to evolve the area into a mixed-use, job-generating hub that supports a complete community.

Amenities, Parking, and Sustainable Mobility

Residents will benefit from indoor and outdoor amenities located on podium levels and at the tower’s summit on level 26, including rooftop patios, yoga and fitness areas, children’s play spaces, urban gardens, and a dog run.

A three-level underground parkade will provide 215 vehicle parking stalls, including 7 accessible spots, 12 EV stalls, and 3 for car share. Significantly, the plan includes 539 bicycle stalls and EV charging readiness for all residential stalls, promoting sustainable mobility over car reliance.

Next Steps and Community Engagement

Anthem’s application was submitted on April 30, 2024, with a Community Information Meeting held on May 14, 2025, offering residents an opportunity to review materials and provide feedback. Comments are being compiled by city staff for future council reports.

This development represents a bold and comprehensive response to Port Moody’s housing, transit, and economic development goals. If approved, it will be a defining addition to Moody Centre’s skyline and urban fabric.

Curious how this could reshape Moody Centre’s future? Projects like this are transforming the neighbourhood into a transit-connected, livable hub. Want to stay ahead of the curve on new developments? We’re here to keep you in the loop.

A landmark senior housing development is on the horizon in the heart of Port Moody. Kyle Park Senior Living—a 12-storey mixed-care residential project—is poised to bring a new era of support and housing for aging residents.

Avenir Senior Living, in partnership with Dulex Laidler Group, has submitted a comprehensive proposal to create a multi-tiered senior community on the 2500 block of St. George Street, adjacent to Kyle Park. With a blend of independent living, assisted care, and complex care options, the development aims to offer a range of housing solutions for seniors in one integrated setting.

A Diverse Range of Care in One Community

Kyle Park Senior Living is designed to accommodate 194 senior residents across a spectrum of care needs. The plan includes:

• 24 memory care units for individuals with cognitive decline.

• 131 independent and assisted living rental units, marketed primarily as Seniors Market Rentals for those who may need some support but not full-time care.

• 48 complex care beds for vulnerable seniors facing homelessness, mental health, or substance use challenges.

This blend of housing types reflects a growing demand for facilities that cater to a wide range of seniors, especially in communities like Port Moody with aging populations and limited existing options.

The development’s design includes a 12-storey tower atop a 4-storey podium—though recent revisions have reduced the podium by two floors to address community and council feedback. These changes also shift the tallest portion of the building eastward over Mary Street, reducing shadows over Kyle Park and expanding public space opportunities.

A Strategic, Walkable Location

The project site—2505-2517 St. George Street and 123-129 Mary Street—is positioned within Port Moody’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) area, just steps from St. Johns Street. This location gives residents easy access to:

• Frequent bus routes like the 180 and N9.

• Civic and recreational amenities, including Kyle Centre and the Port Moody Arts Centre.

• Nearby parks like Chip Kerr and Rocky Point.

• Commercial services, such as pharmacies, clinics, and cafés within a 2-block radius.

The area boasts a Walk Score of 75 and a Bike Score of 60, which, combined with a focus on transportation demand management, is expected to reduce reliance on personal vehicles.

Balancing Parking Needs and Urban Planning

Parking has been a key focus in the proposal. Although the City of Port Moody’s zoning bylaw requires 217 parking spaces for the project’s size and use, only 117 spaces are proposed—a shortfall of 100. However, a parking demand study conducted by WATT Consulting Group supports the reduced figure, estimating actual demand at 114 spaces when transportation alternatives are included.

Key strategies supporting the lower parking count include:

• Private on-demand shuttle service for medical appointments and outings.

• Mobility scooter parking, anticipating less reliance on personal vehicles.

• Transportation welcome packages to help residents navigate sustainable travel options.

The development team also cites low observed demand for street parking in the area, with ample available space during both weekdays and weekends, to minimize concerns about spillover effects.

Planning, Variances, and Community Feedback

To move forward, the project must undergo an Official Community Plan amendment—reclassifying the land from low-density residential to public and institutional use—and a rezoning to Private Institutional (P2). This rezoning accommodates the 12-storey structure, which exceeds the 8-storey limit typically allowed in the TOD area.

Further permits for form and character, as well as hazardous conditions (due to potential soil liquefaction), are also required.

City Council provided early input in July 2023, and a First Reading was passed in July 2024. Community input has been sought through open houses and ongoing public comment opportunities, with residents encouraged to review documents online and contact City staff or the project architect directly with feedback.

*Photo by city of Port Moody

Aiming for Long-Term Sustainability

As part of Port Moody’s sustainability initiative, Kyle Park Senior Living will be evaluated through the City’s Sustainability Report Card, which scores development projects on four pillars: environmental, economic, social, and cultural sustainability.

Although the report card for this project is not yet complete, the development includes several promising sustainability features, including:

• Commitments to alternative transportation.

• Emphasis on accessible design and community wellness.

• Potential public realm improvements adjacent to Kyle Park.

A Community-Driven Vision for 2027

If approved, construction of Kyle Park Senior Living is expected to begin shortly, with occupancy targeted for 2027. The project represents more than just new housing—it’s a bold attempt to redefine how Port Moody supports its aging population through thoughtfully designed, accessible, and sustainable living spaces.

Curious how this could shape the future of Port Moody’s city centre? We’re keeping a close eye on projects like this so our clients always stay informed. Want to be one of them?

A transformative new development is poised to reshape Port Moody’s skyline and urban core. PCI Developments has proposed a high-density mixed-use project featuring two 40-storey towers at 3006–3020 Spring Street and 60 Williams Street, nestled within the heart of the Moody Centre Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) area. Strategically located beside the Moody Centre SkyTrain and West Coast Express, this project could become a new benchmark for sustainable urban living in the city.

A Transit-Connected Urban Hub

The location of the proposed towers is no coincidence. By anchoring the project within the Moody Centre TOD—Port Moody’s most transit-accessible district—PCI Developments is capitalizing on a growing regional push toward walkable, mixed-use communities linked by rapid transit. The towers will rise above a shared 2–3 storey podium that integrates retail and office space, offering a seamless blend of residential, commercial, and civic uses. Below this podium, four levels of underground parking are planned, with the deepest slab (P4) reaching 13.5 metres below grade.

The adjacent BCTFA Plaza to the west and a riparian zone with a creek to the east frame the project within a mix of urban vibrancy and ecological sensitivity. This unique geography presents both opportunities and constraints—many of which are addressed in the project’s detailed technical and environmental planning.

Engineering Resilience from the Ground Up

GeoPacific Consultants Ltd. conducted comprehensive geotechnical and hydrogeological investigations, both in 2018 and again in 2024. These revealed a diverse subsurface profile, including very dense till-like silty sands and loose fill containing organic material. Given the shallow water table (observed as low as 1.8 to 2.1 metres), a groundwater cut-off wall is expected to be necessary during excavation. Seismic risks such as soil liquefaction have also been factored into the foundation design.

To mitigate groundwater ingress, PCI plans to install perimeter and under-slab drainage systems and use moisture barriers beneath all floor slabs. These proactive measures—along with regular site reviews during construction—aim to ensure long-term stability and performance of the buildings.

Making Room for People and Deliveries

In support of PCI’s rezoning application, Bunt & Associates submitted a detailed Parking and Loading Rationale. Their analysis supports a proposed loading bay layout with a total of eight spaces—though this is slightly under what the City of Port Moody typically requires. A Loading Management Plan will be implemented to support this reduction and accommodate the unpredictable nature of Class A loading demands such as courier deliveries.

The plan also emphasizes efficient site circulation and coordination with car-share providers like Modo, a fitting strategy for a TOD site. Bunt also recommends a neighbourhood-level traffic study to address the broader impacts of the development on local roads.

Sustainability Woven Into Every Detail

A key component of PCI’s proposal is the project's performance under the City’s Sustainability Report Card, which outlines contributions across four major pillars: environmental, social, cultural, and economic.

• Environmental Measures include low-carbon energy systems, energy-efficient design exceeding BC Energy Step Code limits, and EV charging infrastructure. The buildings are modeled to achieve a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 2.3—well above the required 2.0—and are designed to keep embodied carbon emissions low.

• Cultural Contributions may include creative spaces and public art installations, aligned with Port Moody’s Public Art Policy. PCI has committed to a process of artistic engagement and may even reuse materials of historic or aesthetic value from the site.

• Social and Community Features will range from accessible unit design and indoor air quality enhancements to pet-friendly amenities and resilience features like backup power for extreme weather events.

• Economic Sustainability is supported by the project’s integration of retail and office space, expanding access to daily services and diversifying the business landscape in Moody Centre.

Infrastructure Coordination and Expert Oversight

Behind the scenes, a suite of consultants—including Perkins and Will (architecture), Diamond Head Consulting (arborist), and Binnie (storm sewer design)—are working in tandem to guide the project through its technical and regulatory hurdles. Metro Vancouver is in ongoing discussions with PCI to finalize details of a proposed realignment of the William Street Trunk Drain, a key piece of infrastructure that runs through the site.

What’s Next?

With such a large-scale and strategically located proposal, the development will be closely watched by city planners, residents, and investors alike. The inclusion of the Sustainability Report Card in Council materials ensures that the public remains informed, and that PCI’s commitments are transparent and verifiable.

Curious how this could shape the future of Moody Centre? We’re keeping a close eye on transformative projects like this to help our clients make informed decisions. Want to be one of them?