Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/331457
Broadway Central – Neelu Bachra Centre by Jerry Eberts A new retail space set to open this summer on Broadway in Vancouver is a tribute to both the owner-developer's late wife and to the changing face of the neighbourhood. "This is more than just another proj- ect to me," says Kal Bachra, president of Orca West Developments Ltd. "We named the Neelu Bachra Centre after my wife, who passed away six years ago from breast cancer. The way Neelu lived her life was an inspiration to those around her and I can't think of a better way to ensure her memory lives on. The BC Cancer Foundation is right behind our building and, while I thought this was the last place I would build, it seems kind of appropriate." The six-storey building – plus four parkade levels – includes of�ices on the top � loors, all being sold under strata title. This makes a change from most of the retail space along the Broadway Corridor. "There are many medical professionals in the corridor," says Bachra. "[However] our project is unique because people who are look- ing for a 500- to 700-square-foot of�ice can now own their space, when before renting was the only option. The space we have created is pretty �lexible with many buyers purchasing multiple units to get the of�ice size they want." Studio One Architecture was the architect on the project. Tomas Wolf, one of the principals, says there were some complex rezoning issues with the process starting in late 2008. Con- struction began in August 2012 and completion of the project is slated for July. Steven Hart was associate architect on the project. He worked on behalf of the owner, speci�ically on permitting and building code related mat ters. "Rezoning was complicated," says Wolf. "There is a view corridor towards the City Hall from the pedestrian walkway along the north shore of False Creek and we had to develop a new approach for the height and massing for the building. "We worked with the city's planning department and changed the required two-storey podium to four, and stepped the top two storeys back. The new form and massing of the building works for the intended use, and the unobstructed view towards the City Hall has been pre- served. The seventh �loor amenity space is located outside the view corridor and an expansive landscaped roof deck will no doubt be very popular with the occu- pants of the building." The ground � loor is retail and the higher �loors are of�ice space, with the upper four �loors strati�ied. "This was decided before construction began," says Hart. "Orca West will retain own- ership of the �irst and second �loors." The slightly curved front elevation glazed curtain wall will be a distinctive building component on the front facade. "It's a reference to the widening of the sidewalk in the direction of the Cambie and Broadway intersection," explains Wolf. The composition re� lects the importance of the emerging major com- muter and commercial hub of the West Broadway corridor. Marc Williams, operations manager for Syncra Construction Corp, worked closely with both the design and trade contractors to achieve an ef�icient �low of work. Working on one of Vancouver's busiest corridors meant Williams and his team had to carefully plan when to access the upper � loors to ensure minimal disruption to both vehicle and pedestrian traf�ic, while always considering the safety of those near the site. Williams says one of t he most impressive aspects of the project is the spectacular glass facade, adding that one of the two passenger elevators – the one closer to Broadway – has a glass wall to allow expansive views of False Creek, downtown Vancouver and the North Shore mountains. O v i d i u A b r u d e a n , w i t h S R C Engineering Consultants Ltd., was the mechanical consultant for the project. While Abrudean was in charge of "the whole design for plumbing, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning," he joined the team after the zoning changes had been ironed out. Ramon Alinas, project manager at SRC, was the project designer and elec- trical consultant. He says that while the original design was created seven years ago, he was able to tweak it to ensure the design remained as close as possible to the owner's standards. "With a com- mercial building you have no idea what kind of clients you'll wind up with," says Alinas. "It's very different from a high-rise condominium building, which doesn't grow much or change. "[On] that part of Broadway, we wanted to wire the ground � loor to accommodate restaurants, which need a lot of power. And the entire building has the latest in communications tech- nology and data connections. All power is fed from a central electrical room on each �loor." Amenities in the impressive struc- ture include a �itness room and change/ shower facilities, as well as an expansive 12,088-square-metre landscaped roof terrace. The Centre has been built to meet LEED Silver speci�ications, however Bachra says his company "went to bat with City Hall" over the distribution of the LEED points, including building a green roof. "We fought to make the roof a more useable space," he says. "Some parts are the traditional green roof, but other parts are more functional. We had to convince City Council to approve a park-like roof where the occupants could sit and enjoy their lunch while tak- ing in the spectacular view." Bachra concludes that the Neelu Bachra Centre is going to be a spectacu- lar building and a wonderful tribute to his late wife. ■ LOCATION 550 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. OWNER/DEVELOPER Orca West Developments Ltd. ARCHITECT Studio One Architecture Inc. ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT Steven Hart Architect Inc. GENERAL CONTRACTOR Syncra Construction Corp. STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT John Bryson & Partners MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT SRC Engineering Consultants Ltd. BUILDING ENVELOPE CONSULTANT Aqua-Coast Engineering Ltd. TOTAL AREA 217,000 square feet TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST $26 million COURTESY MAGNUM PROJECTS Broadway Central – Neelu Bachra Centre 58/ JUNE 2014 p.58-59Neelu Bachra.indd 58 14-06-03 9:53 AM