Award

D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 91 Broadway & Alma E X T ER I O R R EN D ER I N G BY L EC K I E S T U D I O A RC H I T EC T U R E + D E S I G N ; I N T ER I O R R EN D ER I N G CO U RT E S Y W E S T BA N K BROADWAY & ALMA by NATALIE BRUCKNER I n the context of Vancouver's press- ing housing crisis, Westbank is stepping up with its new mixed-use rental project, Broadway & Alma. This development, located on Vancouver's West Side, bordered by Kitsilano and Point Grey, delivers 164 units of rental housing, including 33 designated for moderate-income households, along with four ground-level retail spaces. Broadway & Alma is one of the first projects to participate in the rezoning process under the City of Vancouver's Moderate Income Rental Housing Pilot Program (MIRHPP). This initiative encourages the devel- opment of new rental units that are permanently secured at rates match- ing the affordability needs of local moderate-income households. The Broadway & Alma site has been in Westbank's ownership for more than 10 years, originally housing a sin- gle-storey strip mall. The development strategy was rooted in a vision for the long-term potential of the site, given the location along Broadway, a key arterial and active bus route leading to the University of British Columbia. Westbank has a particular interest in projects in proximity to tran- sit hubs. With the Millennium Line Broadway extension announced and the approval of the Broadway Plan, the site became an obvious oppor- tunity for multi-family residential. Westbank's design for Broadway & Alma is guided by four key principles: First, the project is transit-oriented, recognizing its site's future poten- tial as a transit hub; second, creating housing to serve a wide range of incomes with a significant afford- able component was crucial; third, diverse housing options, particularly family-sized units were prioritized; and fourth, the building's location on Broadway aligns with city policy promoting rental housing along arte- rial streets – a precursor project to the city's transformative Broadway Plan. Designed by Leckie Studio Architecture + Design, Broadway & Alma showcases a unique architec- tural approach with a mixed-use program that combines purpose-built rental units and commercial retail spaces. Michael Leckie, principal of Leckie Studio, notes, "The site called for an iconic building to anchor the busy transit corridor and urban axis." The property is a two-lot assem- bly, with the corner lot zoned for a 14-storey tower and the adjacent lot zoned for a six-storey form. "The architectural form consists of a series of staggered stacked volumes that shift laterally and become incremen- tally smaller at certain floor levels," explains Leckie. "Topographically speaking, the site is positioned at the bottom of a steep rise, which allows the building to feel more comfort- able in the adjacent landscape. The tallest aspect of the project has been situated at the southeast corner of the site – marking the termination of the Broadway corridor, while also LOCATION 3701 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. OWNER /DEVELOPER Westbank ARCHITECT Leckie Studio Architecture + Design GENER AL CONTR ACTOR Kanin Construction Management STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT RJC Engineers MECHANICAL CONSULTANT Ocean Park Mechanical ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Nemetz (S/A) & Associates CIVIL CONSULTANT Binnie L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT HAPA Collaborative TOTAL SIZE 123,000 square feet TOTAL COST Undisclosed reducing shading on the neighbour- ing residential buildings to the north." The building form consists of a transparent volume at grade, upon which a series of four monolithic vol- umes are stacked. "Each of the upper volumes is laterally offset to break down the massing of the project and allow the form to respond to the spe- cific contextual adjacencies. The cladding, balconies, and fenestration are co-ordinated through a rhythmic approach to openings and porosity that is consistent throughout the entire facade of the building," adds Leckie. The building is intended to have a rugged yet refined character, with exposed concrete elements on the interior and a facade system composed of individually articulated prefabri- cated concrete panels. The building envelope is rigorously standardized to drive efficiency through the construc- tion process, led by general contractor Kanin Construction Management, while maintaining high-quality architectural systems and finishes. The rough-hewn concrete exterior references existing nearby resi- dential towers from a past era. Broadway & Alma is being con- structed to meet the Low Emissions Green Building requirements of the City of Vancouver's Green Building Policy for Rezoning. The building is also heavily focused on cycling culture, with 273 bicycle storage spaces on underground level two with a bicycle washing and tuning area, as well as a dedicated eleva- tor that connects the secure bicycle storage directly with the lobby. The design also includes a dedi- cated area for the city's public bicycle share program at the front entry. Westbank's vision for Broadway & Alma extends beyond just hous- ing; the development aims to enhance community life through various amenities. The design max- imizes public and private green spaces, including a rooftop ame- nity area and a mews park at grade. A beautiful inclusion at Broadway & Alma is its integration of public art, specifically through the installation 'Spaal' (Raven) by local artist Thomas Cannell. The artwork consists of three suspended ravens that serve as guard- ians of the building, symbolizing the cultural heritage of the Musqueam people. Cannell's work aims to connect the community to its historical roots, reminding residents of the importance of storytelling and cultural legacy. Broadway & Alma is a project that successfully balances several priori- ties – location, design, and housing and affordability considerations. By integrating moderate income homes, innovative design, and a commit- ment to community values, this project sets a new benchmark for urban development in the city. A

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