VHDO Planning 27-Storey Social Housing Tower On City-Owned Granville Loops Site

The Vancouver Housing Development Office (VHDO) is moving forward with plans to build a 27-storey social housing tower at 1395 Rolston Street, part of the Granville Loops redevelopment. This project is a key component of the city's efforts to transform the area at the north end of the Granville Bridge into a mixed-use neighborhood with various housing options.

The proposed tower will stand approximately 279 feet tall and offer around 204,581 square feet of floor space. This is an increase from the original plan, which allocated 174,892 square feet for this portion of the development. To accommodate the additional space, the VHDO has submitted an application to amend the existing rezoning, aiming to enhance the provision of social housing units.

Initially, the plan included a 12-storey building alongside the 27-storey tower. However, further design evaluations revealed that having two towers in close proximity would lead to inefficient layouts and suboptimal living conditions. As a result, the 12-storey building has been removed from the plan to focus on a single, more efficient tower.

This development is part of a broader initiative by the City of Vancouver to repurpose the land formerly occupied by the Granville Loops, which were removed to make way for new housing and community spaces. The overall redevelopment plan includes multiple towers of varying heights, combining market-rate and affordable housing, retail spaces, and amenities like childcare facilities.

The VHDO, established to centralize housing development efforts, is leading this project under the Vancouver Affordable Housing Endowment Fund (VAHEF). This approach allows the city to utilize its land assets to address housing needs without relying solely on taxpayer funding. The project aligns with Vancouver's broader strategy to increase the supply of affordable housing and create inclusive communities.

As the city continues to address housing challenges, developments like the 27-storey tower at 1395 Rolston Street represent significant steps toward providing more affordable housing options for residents. The VHDO's proactive approach in optimizing city-owned land for such projects underscores Vancouver's commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable urban environment.