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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 83 The Narrows P H OTO G R A P H Y BY LU K E H A N /CO U RT E S Y CO R N ER S TO N E A RC H I T EC T U R E G R A P H I C M U R A L BY LY N DS I E W H I T E THE NARROWS by LAURIE JONES L ike many cities across the country, Vancouver has seen a renaissance of neighbour- hoods, repurposing buildings that had a well-known history but are now stand-out structures with a new function. Such is the case with The Narrows, state-of-the-art rental apart- ments on East Hastings Street. What was once the iconic A&B Sound's east Vancouver flagship store and satel- lite office has a new purpose that will not only benefit residents of the grow- ing city, but also add a contemporary vibe to the Hastings-Sunrise district. "We've been transitioning all the A&B Sound legacy assets into new ventures, with either restoration, adaptive reuse of existing buildings, or tear down and rebuild such as The Narrows, and that was elected based on the form of construction," says Jake Steiner, special projects manager at Steiner Properties. "The legacy prop- erty was a big, awkwardly shaped concrete building situated mid-block between two other mid-rise build- ings, so it would have been tricky to repurpose it the way it existed. But the market lined up and the timing made sense for us to do this. Rental homes are in high demand so that was the main motivation behind this project." The six-storey, wood-frame build- ing features 48 units from studio to three-bedroom suites. Sizes range from under 400 square feet to almost 900 square feet, with views of the North Shore mountains or downtown Vancouver. A key component of the project is the Passive House design, aimed at meeting high energy-effi- ciency standards. "The project features airtight insulation, a two-by-eight stud wall with Intello vapour control, and a service cavity for wiring," says Scott Kennedy, principal, Cornerstone Architecture. "Ventilation systems for the north and south suites provide continuous fresh air, and the build- ing uses a CO2 heat pump system for hot water, reducing greenhouse gas emissions." He adds the project is monitored for energy use under Better Buildings BC and is awaiting final Passive House certification. With the tight parametres of the site – only four inches to the adjacent buildings – the construc- tion team faced several challenges. "We had no staging area on site so we had to call in police services on Hastings Street during the crane erec- tion, and at the same time we had to remove hydro lines," says Trent Berger, project manager at Scott Construction. "This involved mak- ing communication with both local businesses and residents a priority." Prefabricated panelized walls were assembled on site, and each panel had to be inspected before hoisting. In order to ensure materials were kept dry and safe, they were stored in the parkade. Adding to the efforts to ensure the Passive House certi- fication requirements were met, Scott Construction assigned a dedi- cated air barrier co-ordinator to be responsible for quality control. The colour scheme of The Narrows pays homage to the history of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge (for- merly known as the Second Narrows Bridge) that connects Vancouver and Burnaby to the North Shore com- munities. The exterior has natural weathered iron, giving it a rusted orange hue. Inside, the décor includes dark woods, black accent features, LOCATION 3455 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C. OWNER /DEVELOPER Steiner Properties ARCHITECT Cornerstone Architecture PROJECT MANAGER Metro-Can Projects Inc. CONSTRUCTION MANAGER Scott Construction Group STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT Weiler Smith Bowers MECHANICAL /ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Smith+Andersen CODE CONSULTANT Camphora Engineering INTERIOR DESIGN Port + Quarter Interior Design L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Forma Design Ltd. TOTAL SIZE 39,683 square feet TOTAL COST $20 million and dark cabinetry. Local artwork will be integrated, focusing on the region's history and culture. A local artist created murals on both the east and west sides of the building, showcasing the history of the Second Narrows Bridge, which sadly involved loss of life during its construction. A unique offering for the tenants in the building who sign a lease is the option to create their own look in the suite. "I'd like to offer a type of sup- portive package where people could engage interior design services and spread the cost out over 12 months, or however many months they sign a lease," Steiner explains. "This would be a new approach to turning a basic rental suite into more of a home." Located near the Cassiar Connector, The Narrows offers walk- ability to local amenities, a nearby skate park, and soccer fields. Local transit and access to roads leading to downtown and Vancouver's North Shore for activities such as hiking, skiing, and biking add to the life- style opportunities for residents. The building features a rooftop deck and second-floor amenity room. Also on the rooftop are cedar planter boxes for residents to tend to personal gardens. "I think the nature of The Narrows combining Passive House design with rental homes is show- ing that we prioritize sustainability and are giving the community what they need," says Steiner. A

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