A commercial office space currently occupied by Enterprise Car Rental and an adjacent surface parking lot could be replaced by a new 61-unit mixed-use rental building.
The proposal was submitted by Lang Wilson Practice Architects and features a nine-storey Passive House building constructed using a mass-timber structural system and an off-site prefabricated construction method. This will reduce onsite work time and noise, minimizing the impact on the surrounding neighbourhood during construction.
The building’s mass timber structure is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 30 to 60 percent and is combined with a highly efficient envelope and mechanical systems, resulting in increased energy efficiency and longevity.
“The building aims to foster a culture of sustainability among its inhabitants which can extend into the city at large,” reads the design rationale. “This project is a precedent for a repeatable sustainable urban development along Granville Street and throughout the city.”
The development’s design consists of a front and rear massing with an open-air courtyard and exterior walkways above a retail and commercial podium. The courtyard provides residents with a connection to nature and opportunities to engage with neighbours in an effort to foster a greater sense of community. The courtyard-centric layout of the building enables all homes to be double-sided with windows on two sides, creating brighter living spaces with ample natural light and cross-ventilation.
In addition to the central courtyard, residents will have access to indoor communal spaces and amenities, along with a rooftop amenity deck. Renderings show the outdoor space will feature lounge seating, elevated gardens, dining tables with fire pits, and a covered area for shade.
“Our connected courtyards, rooftop gardens and indoor/outdoor amenities weave a network of spontaneity for social econters, inclusion and co-living,” explains the design rationale. “The outdoor spaces allow all generations to feel comfortable and connected in spaces full of nature and community amenities.”
The unit breakdown comprises 46 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom apartments. A single-level underground garage will have bicycle storage and up to 22 vehicle parking spaces using a motorized automated lift system.
In the neighbourhood, several nearby high-rise residential projects are currently under construction including 1335 Howe, 8X ON THE PARK and The Pacific.
