The Vancouver Park Board is transforming a one-hectare patch of city land into a lush and inclusive community park at the border of Kitsilano and Fairview. Temporarily dubbed Burrard Slopes Park, this long-anticipated green space will rise between Pine and Fir streets and West 5th and 6th avenues—serving as a much-needed urban oasis for thousands of nearby residents.

A New Vision for an Industrial Past

What is currently a mix of vacant buildings, temporary parks, and a stretch of the Arbutus Greenway is being cleared to make way for a thoughtfully designed public park. The existing structures—once part of the area's industrial character—are being removed, with demolition work expected to wrap up between spring 2024 and mid-2025. In line with Vancouver’s Green Demolition by-law and Zero Waste 2040 goals, many of the materials are being reused where possible, including historic timber trusses that will be integrated into the park’s final design.

During this transitional period, the city has planted a temporary wildflower meadow to aid in soil remediation and create an interim natural buffer until full-scale construction begins—expected around 2027.

What the Community Asked For—and Will Get

The project has been shaped by robust community engagement. Over 875 survey respondents and more than 100 attendees at an in-person event helped shape the park's guiding vision: a place that is welcoming, safe, accessible, and ecologically vibrant. Community members emphasized the need for green space, areas for relaxation and socializing, and amenities for all ages and abilities.

Key features of the draft concept plan include:

• A plaza-style skatepark in the northwest corner, designed for all skill levels and “all wheels,” bordered by planted hills to buffer noise.

• An expanded and inclusive playground, offering accessible elements such as a bucket spinner, rope nest swing, and wheeling circuits, with two design options currently under consideration.

• A dog off-leash area (OLA) with natural materials like timber and boulders, combined with comfortable seating for pet owners.

• Layered gardens throughout—pollinator gardens, rain gardens, community plots, and peripheral native planting—to enhance biodiversity, manage rainwater, and provide beauty and calm.

• A central lawn and social seating spaces, including curved benches, picnic tables, and a large “harvest table” for gatherings.

The park also aligns with multiple City of Vancouver strategies, including VanPlay, the Biodiversity Strategy, and the People, Parks and Dogs policy. It builds on connectivity with nearby amenities such as the Arbutus Greenway, the Granville Bridge Greenway, and aligns with the larger Broadway Plan.

Welcoming the Future, Rooted in the Past

One of the park’s most compelling features is its respectful nod to the site's industrial legacy. The design includes repurposed materials from buildings once used by contractors like Bennett and White. These pieces are being reimagined as park structures, tying past and future together in a space designed for gathering, play, and rest.

Land acknowledgments also form a meaningful foundation. The site sits on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and the park’s creation is guided by the city’s Reconciliation goals and its commitment to inclusion and accessibility.

What’s Next for Burrard Slopes Park?

With the second round of public engagement wrapped up as of April 2025, the project team is now analyzing feedback and refining the concept plan. By fall 2025, the final park design will be revealed and presented to the Park Board. If approved, detailed design and permitting work will begin—setting the stage for construction to break ground in 2027.

Curious how this green oasis will reshape the Kits–Fairview area? We’re closely following the Burrard Slopes Park project to keep local homeowners and buyers informed every step of the way. Want to be one of them?

A long-awaited transformation of a key public space in Vancouver’s Chinatown is taking shape, as the Memorial Square Redesign project advances with strong community input and cultural intention.

Located at the historic intersection of Keefer and Columbia Streets, Chinatown Memorial Square is being reimagined to better honor Chinese Canadian heritage, improve public space infrastructure, and revitalize one of Vancouver’s most symbolic urban gathering places. With deep roots in the city’s multicultural legacy and a vision shaped by residents, the redesign is set to play a central role in the ongoing transformation of Chinatown.

Honouring Legacy While Looking Ahead

The Memorial Square Redesign project was born from the 2018 Historical Discrimination Against Chinese People in Vancouver report, a landmark moment that acknowledged past injustices and set the tone for reconciliation and cultural preservation. In alignment with broader initiatives like the Chinatown Transformation work and the North East False Creek Plan, the redesign aims to strengthen Chinatown’s historic character while preparing it for a vibrant future — one that could eventually earn UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition.

Anchoring the square’s importance are nearby cultural assets like the Chinese Cultural Centre, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, and the Chinese Canadian Military Museum. The square, established in 1995, already serves as a setting for key community events, cultural festivals, and moments of remembrance. But decades later, its infrastructure and design are ready for renewal.

*Photo by City of Vancouver

A Community-Driven Vision for the Square

Through multiple phases of community engagement between 2021 and 2025, a clear vision has emerged. The square will be a welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant space where the legacy of Chinese Canadians — including railway workers, veterans, and community builders — is visibly and respectfully commemorated. The draft vision calls for a space where year-round traditions, intergenerational exchange, and cultural celebration can thrive, all while offering an inspirational experience to visitors and locals alike.

Surveys show strong support: 69% of respondents agreed with the draft vision, while 70% supported the outlined goals. Among the top priorities were making the square accessible and culturally meaningful to Chinese seniors, enhancing safety, offering educational opportunities, and providing amenities for festivals and daily use.

*Photo by City of Vancouver

Community-Led Ideas, Design, and Expansion

A 14-member Community Advisory Group (CAG), representing longstanding Chinatown organizations and stakeholders, has played a central role in advising the project team. From the Chinese Benevolent Association to youth collectives and the Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society, the group has helped guide design priorities that reflect both tradition and present-day community needs.

Among the most popular ideas has been expanding the square’s footprint. Community members showed 78% support for a proposal to close the adjacent lane, reduce road widths, and shift curbs — a move that would increase the square’s usable space and reduce traffic impacts while improving pedestrian safety.

Residents also emphasized incorporating flexible infrastructure to support cultural programming, art installations, performances, and markets — all features that reinforce the square as a “living” space. Aesthetic upgrades like lighting, greenery, shade structures, and water features were also high on the wish list.

Addressing Concerns and Future Considerations

While feedback has been overwhelmingly supportive, concerns remain. Community members highlighted ongoing issues like maintenance, cleanliness, and safety — especially given the square’s proximity to the Downtown Eastside. Others called for greater acknowledgment of the unceded Indigenous lands the square occupies and better integration of Indigenous presence and storytelling.

Respondents also asked for amenities such as public washrooms, seating for elders, and low-cost parking. There’s strong interest in ensuring the site is not just beautiful but also practical, inclusive, and active throughout the year.

What’s Next for Memorial Square?

The project is currently in its third phase, with the City having recently closed feedback on three preliminary design concepts. Following this, a preferred design will be refined and presented to the public in fall 2025. The City has committed to ensuring the final design reflects the voices and values of the Chinatown community while also creating a destination space that resonates across cultures and generations.

As Vancouver’s Chinatown continues its journey toward revitalization and potential global recognition, Memorial Square is poised to become not just a physical centerpiece, but a symbol of resilience, cultural pride, and community-led progress.

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

Downtown Vancouver’s iconic Granville Street is on the cusp of a major transformation. Through the ambitious Granville Street Planning Program, the City of Vancouver is laying the groundwork for a revitalized future that honours the area’s historic character while addressing long-standing challenges and creating space for inclusive cultural growth. A final plan is expected to go before City Council in June 2025, charting a 20-year path to reshape the beloved, yet beleaguered, entertainment corridor.

A Vision to Reinvent Granville Street

Spanning Granville Street from Drake to Robson—an area historically rich in nightlife, neon, and cultural landmarks—the plan aims to re-establish this stretch as an exciting, safe, and inclusive downtown destination. Drawing from public input and informed by reconciliation goals, economic needs, and community priorities, the City’s vision integrates land use changes, transportation shifts, and bold public space strategies.

At its heart, the plan is about balance: blending heritage with modern vibrancy, boosting both daytime and nighttime activity, and ensuring the street is welcoming for everyone—residents, businesses, tourists, and the host Nations whose unceded territories form the foundation of this space.

What’s Coming: Key Moves and Sub-Areas

Granville’s future will unfold through five major “key moves”:

1. Entertainment District Management – Coordinating safety, public realm upgrades, and ongoing management for a better street experience.

2. Arts, Culture & Entertainment – Reinforcing Granville’s role as a cultural beacon with more live music, public art, and all-ages performance spaces.

3. Land Use & Development – Encouraging diverse new developments, heritage preservation, and increased commercial activity.

4. Public Space Improvements – Introducing a signature pedestrian-only zone, with flexible public space for events, patios, and gatherings.

5. Transportation Realignment – Rerouting buses to Howe and Seymour streets to make room for pedestrian-first design on Granville.

The corridor will be divided into three sub-areas, each with a distinct focus:

• City Centre (Granville & Robson): Envisioned as a civic heart anchored by a new public plaza. SkyTrain access will be highlighted, new towers may rise, and the intersection will feature a digital art landmark akin to a mini Times Square.

• Entertainment Core (Smithe to Davie): A vibrant hub for nightlife and cultural venues like the Orpheum and Commodore. Outdoor performance space, patio culture, and heritage neon will define the experience. Notably, no new housing will be added here to preserve the district’s character and mitigate noise conflicts.

• Bridgehead (near Granville Bridge): A quieter, mixed-use area connecting Granville to Yaletown and South Granville. Emphasis will be on local shops, social buildings (combining housing and other uses), and intimate public spaces.

Pedestrian-First Future

One of the plan’s most striking features is the proposed year-round pedestrian zone running from Granville Bridge to Waterfront Station. In the short term, this will begin with seasonal closures during summer months—transforming the street into a people-centric promenade filled with patios, street performers, and community events.

To accommodate transit needs, buses will be shifted to Howe and Seymour streets, with significant upgrades like bus-only lanes, wider sidewalks, better shelters, and improved wayfinding. These changes are essential to maintain transit reliability while freeing up Granville Street for public life.

Reviving Culture, Reclaiming Public Space

Granville’s legacy as Vancouver’s entertainment district is central to the plan. From vaudeville to rock concerts, the street has always had a soundtrack—and now the City wants to turn up the volume. The strategy calls for protecting existing venues, incentivizing new cultural spaces, and supporting Indigenous-led public art and self-determined cultural spaces.

Public safety and cleanliness are top priorities. The plan includes gender-based safety initiatives, more accessible public washrooms, and collaborative street outreach efforts—particularly in addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness.

A major cultural touchpoint will be the new video screen zone at Granville and Robson. This area will serve as a visual and social landmark, hosting art installations and performances while generating revenue for cultural programming through ad partnerships.

Development with Purpose

With updated zoning and design guidelines, new developments will be encouraged—but not at the expense of the area’s soul. Heritage preservation, building articulation, and the classic “sawtooth” storefront pattern will be reinforced. New developments must meet high acoustic standards, particularly near nightlife zones, and contribute to broader public benefits such as affordable housing, job space, and cultural amenities.

Importantly, interim policies are in place to prevent speculative development and ensure that new projects align with long-term community priorities.

Public Input and Path Forward

Thousands of Vancouverites have weighed in during the multi-phase engagement process, with strong support emerging for the plan’s cultural vision, pedestrian-first approach, and mixed-use revitalization. Safety and transit access remain concerns—but the City is working closely with community groups, businesses, and the public to fine-tune the final draft before Council consideration in June.

A 20-Year Commitment to Change

The Granville Street Planning Program isn’t a quick fix—it’s a layered, forward-thinking roadmap to restore one of Vancouver’s most recognizable corridors. If successful, it will blend old and new, day and night, movement and gathering—recasting Granville as not just a place to go out, but a place to belong.

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