25-storey rental housing tower proposed for Kingsway and Fraser Street strip mall in Vancouver

The strip mall at the prominent northeast corner of Kingsway and Fraser Street intersection in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood is eyed for a new 277 ft tall, 25-storey, mixed-use tower.

A new rezoning application by local developer Qualex-Landmark calls for the redevelopment of the 1987-built strip mall at 701 Kingsway, which is currently home to a number of small businesses, including Sal Y. Limon Mexican Cuisine, Ba-le Deli & Bakery, Straight Outta Brooklyn Pizzeria, Alenka European Foods, and Discover Dogs Pet Store.

The proposal, designed by RWA Group Architecture, calls for 201 secured purpose-built rental homes, with about 41 units set aside for below-market housing and the remaining 160 units as market rental housing.

Site of the existing strip mall at 701 Kingsway, Vancouver. (RWA Group Architecture/Qualex-Landmark)

Existing condition:

Existing condition of the strip mall at 701 Kingsway, Vancouver. (RWA Group Architecture/Qualex-Landmark)

Future condition:

Artistic rendering of 701 Kingsway, Vancouver. (RWA Group Architecture/Qualex-Landmark)

Artistic rendering of 701 Kingsway, Vancouver. (RWA Group Architecture/Qualex-Landmark)

Concept for 701 Kingsway, Vancouver, in relation to the Broadway Plan. (RWA Group Architecture/Qualex-Landmark)

Under the Broadway Plan, a 25-storey tower can be pursued if it is dedicated to secured purpose-built rental housing, with at least 20% of the building floor area set aside for below-market rental units and a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) density of a floor area that is 8.5 times larger than the lot size. Alternatively, strata condominiums can be pursued, but only up to 12 storeys with a 4.5 FAR density. This development site is on the southernmost extent of the Broadway Plan area.

The proposed unit size mix is 62 studios, 68 one-bedroom units, 51 two-bedroom units, and 20 three-bedroom units. Residents will have access to various shared indoor and outdoor amenity spaces on the second level and the tower rooftop.

On the ground level, there will be over 6,000 sq ft of space for retail/restaurant uses across up to five commercial units. This represents a decrease from the existing strip mall’s 9,000 sq ft of commercial space.

A publicly accessible courtyard that bisects the ground-level retail uses will double as a pedestrian connection between the prominent intersection corner and the laneway.

Existing condition:

Site of the existing strip mall at 701 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Google Maps)