A massive redevelopment plan years in the making has officially cleared its final hurdle. On June 10, Vancouver City Council approved a bold new vision for 1780 East Broadway—home to the aging Commercial-Broadway Safeway and its sprawling surface lot. The future? A trio of high-rise rental towers bringing over 1,000 new homes, new public plazas, and an expanded Safeway to one of the busiest transit hubs in the region.

Transit-Linked Density: What’s Coming to 1780 East Broadway

The approved project, led by Westbank Corp. and Crombie REIT, will deliver three residential towers—rising 37, 38, and 44 storeys—right beside the Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain Station. In total, the development will add 1,044 new rental homes to Vancouver’s tight housing market. Of those, 104 units will be offered at city-wide average market rents, while the remaining 940 will rent at full market rates.

The plan also includes:

• A larger, modernized Safeway supermarket

• 24,000 square feet of additional retail space

• A 32,000-square-foot public realm including a ground-level plaza and a 12,000-square-foot upper courtyard

• A 37-space childcare centre to be gifted to the city

This high-density, transit-oriented development (TOD) will boast a floor space ratio of 8.3 and tower heights reaching up to 146 metres—far beyond what was originally envisioned in the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan.

A Decade in the Making: A Contested Path to Approval

The road to approval wasn’t smooth. The proposal, in various forms, has been circulating for nearly 10 years, weathering multiple redesigns, political shifts, and extensive public scrutiny. Earlier iterations leaned more heavily on condo units and lower towers. But the final version—entirely rental—emerged stronger in height and housing count following revisions and the city’s growing urgency to address its housing crisis.

Despite two lengthy public hearings and hundreds of written submissions, Council passed the rezoning with a decisive 8–1 vote. Only COPE Councillor Sean Orr opposed, while Councillor Pete Fry abstained.

Supporters on council argued the site is precisely where high-density housing belongs: next to the city’s third-busiest transit interchange. Mayor Ken Sim highlighted that the site replaces only a parking lot and supermarket, involves zero residential displacement, and will boost local businesses through increased foot traffic.

“This project ticks a lot of boxes,” Sim said during deliberations.

Opposition, Trade-Offs, and the Affordability Question

Not everyone is convinced. Of the roughly 100 speakers at public hearings, the majority opposed the plan—largely due to its scale and affordability shortcomings. Critics pointed to a “doubling” of allowable height with only 10% of units offered at below-market rents—far short of the Broadway Plan’s guideline of 20% at deeper affordability levels.

Councillor Fry voiced concern that the city’s commitment to public benefits and meaningful affordability was slipping in favor of developer economics. Councillor Orr echoed this sentiment, calling the development “precedent-setting” in its compromises.

Still, other councillors, like Rebecca Bligh and Sarah Kirby-Yung, emphasized the need for progress.

“We’ve had a high-speed transit line here for years and no density to match it,” Bligh remarked, calling the current underuse of the site “misleading.”

Why This Matters for Vancouver Home Seekers

This redevelopment marks a major shift in how Vancouver is choosing to build its future—particularly along its busiest transit corridors. It reflects a city pivoting from slower, low-density processes toward larger, rental-focused projects that meet the moment of its housing crisis.

For renters and newcomers to the Grandview-Woodland area, it signals that more housing is coming—even if affordability remains a thorny issue. For longtime residents, it raises ongoing questions about how growth is balanced with neighborhood character, sunlight, and green space.

Construction timelines have not been finalized, as ground-breaking will depend on market conditions. But with approval now secured, the site’s transformation is no longer a matter of if—but when.

Curious how this will reshape Grandview-Woodland’s skyline—and its streetscape? We’re keeping a close watch on projects like this to help our clients stay ahead of the curve. Want to be one of them?

A long-anticipated public elementary school is finally coming to Vancouver’s Olympic Village, bringing major relief to overburdened schools and growing families in one of the city's fastest-developing neighborhoods. Backed by more than $150 million in provincial funding and built on city-donated land, the new school is set to open as early as 2029 and will offer 630 student spaces for Grades K–7.

A Community Milestone in the Making

Slated for 215 West 1st Avenue—steps from False Creek and nestled beside Hinge Park—the new four-storey Olympic Village Elementary will be the first school built in the neighborhood since the area’s transformation from industrial lands to a vibrant residential and commercial hub. Long a priority for the Vancouver School Board (VSB), the project was greenlit after the B.C. government approved its massive funding request in April 2024.

With rezoning now underway and construction targeted to begin by 2027, this project will reshape the educational landscape of Southeast False Creek.

Designed for Modern Learning and Community Life

Olympic Village Elementary is more than just a school—it’s designed as a cornerstone of community life. In addition to classrooms, the 64,583-square-foot building will feature:

• A neighbourhood learning centre with dedicated child care space

• A rooftop play and learning area, bringing innovation and activity into a vertical space

• Facilities for community engagement, aligning with the city’s “complete community” vision

• Seismic safety and accessibility, built to modern standards for peace of mind

While its proposed height of 62 feet slightly exceeds existing zoning bylaws, this change is crucial to house the 630 students the community demands—particularly on a site constrained by size.

Why Olympic Village Needs This School Now

Since Olympic Village was established as part of the 2010 Games legacy, the neighborhood has blossomed into one of Vancouver’s most desirable places to live. But with the influx of families has come intense pressure on nearby schools. Simon Fraser Elementary, built in 1958 for just 182 students, currently operates at nearly 190% over capacity.

This new school directly addresses that strain, providing a long-term solution to chronic overcrowding. Nearby schools—such as Edith Cavell, False Creek, and Crosstown Elementary—have also been shouldering the overflow, impacting families throughout Mount Pleasant, Cambie, and downtown.

The project promises to keep families rooted in the area they love, removing the pressure to relocate for better school access.

Years in the Making: A History of Planning and Patience

The seeds for this school were planted almost two decades ago. The need was formally identified by the VSB in 2005, and by 2007 the City of Vancouver had reserved the site during its Southeast False Creek development planning.

Progress, however, was slow. It wasn’t until 2022 that the City and VSB finalized a 99-year ground lease for the parcel. With funding finally secured in 2024, the project is now in the public engagement phase of the rezoning process.

A Broader Investment in Vancouver's Future

The Olympic Village school is part of a sweeping provincial commitment to upgrade education infrastructure across British Columbia. Since 2017, the Province has invested over $4 billion in schools, with $3.75 billion more earmarked through 2027. In Vancouver alone, more than $526 million has been directed to new and expanded school projects.

Local examples include the expansion of Henry Hudson Elementary, adding 145 student spaces by 2025, and seismic upgrades at Edith Cavell and David Livingstone Elementary.

A School to Anchor the Neighborhood

Community leaders say this school is more than bricks and mortar—it’s a symbol of stability, belonging, and progress.

“This new school site will become the beating heart of Olympic Village,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim.

“We’re not just building classrooms—we’re building community,” added Brenda Bailey, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek.

The Vancouver School Board also notes the school will serve as a community hub, reinforcing connections between families, educators, and the broader neighborhood.

Looking Ahead

If approvals proceed smoothly in 2025–2026, shovels could hit the ground in 2027, with a grand opening by 2029—or possibly 2030 if delayed. Either way, the finish line is in sight for a project two decades in the making.

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

The City of Vancouver has officially approved the Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan—an ambitious blueprint poised to transform East Vancouver’s SkyTrain corridor into a vibrant, connected, and climate-resilient hub over the next 30 years. Unanimously endorsed by City Council on July 8, 2025, this long-anticipated plan sets the stage for thousands of new homes, jobs, and public amenities between Rupert and Renfrew SkyTrain stations.

A Transit-Oriented Vision for Inclusive Growth

Spanning approximately 1,631 acres from Parker Street in the north to E 27th Avenue in the south, the Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan outlines a bold vision: to create a neighbourhood rich in housing options, economic opportunity, green space, and cultural vitality. It emphasizes equity, sustainability, and Indigenous reconciliation—all grounded in strong community engagement.

Originally launched in late 2021, the plan supports the Vancouver Plan’s (2022) city-wide strategy for future growth. But here, the focus sharpens to meet local needs—like restoring Still Creek’s ecosystem, addressing housing affordability, and ensuring development aligns with transit access.

45-Storey Towers and “Missing Middle” Housing

At the heart of the plan is a four-pronged land use strategy designed to balance density, livability, and employment growth:

• Rapid Transit Areas near the SkyTrain stations will accommodate the highest towers—up to 45 storeys—exceeding provincial minimums under Bill 47. These zones prioritize below-market rental housing and childcare in return for increased height and density. Retail, hotels, and improved transit links are also planned.

• Village Areas, currently a mix of local shops and low-rise homes, will grow with six-storey buildings and multiplexes—introducing the kind of “missing middle” housing that Vancouver urgently needs.

• Multiplex Zones further from transit retain R1-1 zoning but now allow up to six strata or eight rental units per lot, plus small corner stores via private rezoning.

• Employment Lands—home to industrial and commercial space—will be preserved and intensified. From big-box retail and film studios in Still Creek to 30-storey mixed-use towers near transit, these areas are key to job creation. The notable exception? The 3200 E Broadway site, a 10-acre mixed-use residential development led by the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations in partnership with Aquilini Development.

Across all zones, new developments must consider Still Creek’s sensitive floodplain and groundwater dynamics—factors that informed site-specific density allowances and parking restrictions.

Welcoming 18,700 New Residents—and 8,300 Jobs

If fully implemented, the plan could deliver:

• 10,100 new homes,

• 8,300 new jobs,

• And housing for 18,700 additional residents over the next 25 years.

This marks a significant step toward addressing the city’s housing crisis while bolstering its economic base. To ensure equitable development, the City will enforce strong tenant protections and prioritize below-market housing wherever feasible.

Community Roots and Engagement

Rich in cultural history and social infrastructure, the Rupert-Renfrew corridor has long been home to diverse communities and Indigenous presence. Over 70% of its 31,000 residents identify as visible minorities—well above the city average.

Recognizing this, the planning process included deep and multilingual outreach, including 72 engagement events, 2,100+ survey responses, and materials in Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Indigenous nations were closely involved throughout all four engagement phases, culminating in feedback-driven refinements earlier this year.

$1.2 Billion in Capital Investments

Realizing this vision will require an estimated $1.2 billion in capital and in-kind investments over the next decade. From new parks and childcare centres to transportation upgrades, these investments are critical to support the area’s anticipated population and job growth.

To help fund this, Vancouver will amend its Community Amenity Contributions (CAC) policy for the area. Market rental projects with childcare or below-market units will be exempt, while strata developers will follow newly set CAC targets—subject to review in 2026.

Additional measures include new design guidelines, streamlined rezoning processes (especially in low-rise and village areas), and repeals of outdated local plans.

A Model for Future Growth in Vancouver

With its mix of high-density towers, expanded job zones, and creekside ecological restoration, the Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan reflects a new era of planning in Vancouver—one rooted in equity, climate resilience, and livability.

It also offers a preview of how other neighbourhoods might evolve in response to the Vancouver Plan’s city-wide goals. For longtime residents and future homebuyers alike, the area is set to become a dynamic and desirable place to live, work, and grow.

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