Even more high-density, transit-oriented development is envisioned for SkyTrain Lougheed Town Centre Station, where plans to build Western Canada’s tallest building were recently approved by the City of Burnaby.
The latest proposal is for a significant under-utilized parcel on the Coquitlam side of North Road, with the western border of the development site located just a four-minute walk east from the SkyTrain station and bus exchange.
Wesgroup and Choice Properties are proposing to redevelop the 7.8-acre site of 439-465 North Road, which is currently occupied by the Cariboo Shopping Centre strip mall and other low-storey commercial buildings with businesses such as Denny’s Restaurant. Up until about four years ago, the strip mall was anchored by Loblaws’ Independent grocery store.
All existing buildings were built in the 1970s. A very significant portion of the land assembly is currently used for surface vehicle parking and freight loading.
Site of 439-465 North Road, Coquitlam, in relation to the walking distance to SkyTrain Lougheed Town Centre Station. (Wesgroup Properties/Choice Properties)
Site of 439-465 North Road, Coquitlam. (Wesgroup Properties/Choice Properties)
Site of 439-465 North Road, Coquitlam. (Wesgroup Properties/Choice Properties)
The redevelopment is envisioned to entail six towers, including three 45-storey towers, one 43-storey tower, and two 36-storey towers, plus low- and mid-rise base podiums for all towers.
There would be a total of nearly 2,500 homes, including about 1,830 strata market ownership condominium homes and about 640 secured purpose-built rental homes, with about 548 market rental units and about 92 below-market rental units.
About 101,000 sq ft of retail/restaurant space would be situated within the base podiums (including a new replacement grocery and drug store), activating the project’s perimeter frontages with North Road to the west and Austin Avenue to the north, and the internal frontages of new local streets and a 26,000 sq ft public plaza.
Preliminary concept of 439-465 North Road, Coquitlam. (Wesgroup Properties/Choice Properties)
Preliminary concept of 439-465 North Road, Coquitlam. (Wesgroup Properties/Choice Properties)
This area of the Burnaby/Coquitlam border just east and southeast of the SkyTrain station is known for being a Koreatown for its high concentration of Korean restaurants and shops. A mosaic on the inner surface of the plaza is intended to pay homage to the area’s Korean cultural heritage. The plaza would also feature a canopy structure that doubles as a covered stage for community events.
Additionally, two childcare facilities totalling 11,000 sq ft of space would provide childcare space for up to 127 kids.
The project would be built in four phases. The first and second phases would each contain condominium and rental housing uses, with the first phase also achieving the first childcare facility. The second and third phases would produce condominium uses, with the fourth phase completing the second childcare facility.
The first phase is the southwest parcel of the site, facing North Road. Subsequent phases would proceed in a clockwise direction around the site.
Preliminary concept of 439-465 North Road, Coquitlam. (Wesgroup Properties/Choice Properties)
Preliminary concept of 439-465 North Road, Coquitlam. (Wesgroup Properties/Choice Properties)
Preliminary concept of 439-465 North Road, Coquitlam. (Wesgroup Properties/Choice Properties)
It is noted that the site faces some technical design constraints due to its steep slope of a 60 ft (18 metre) north-south drop. This has impacted the optimal design of the public spaces and resulted in large blank walls that face the property from adjacent sites.
“This poses a challenge to how buildings can be situated on site to create access points for pedestrians, parking, and loading along with other servicing requirements,” state the proponents with regards to the challenges of overcoming grades of up to 12%.
In accordance to the City of Coquitlam’s Official Community Plan, the project would have a floor area ratio density of a floor area that is six times the size of the lot. This produces a total building floor area of roughly over two million sq ft.
If approved, it is estimated the project could generate $70.5 million in density bonus payments and over $62 million in development cost charges to the City of Coquitlam, and $71 million in development cost charges to Metro Vancouver Regional District.
The proponents anticipate the municipal government could provide the project with a final approval as early as late 2025.
Preliminary concept of 439-465 North Road, Coquitlam. (Wesgroup Properties/Choice Properties)
Preliminary concept of 439-465 North Road, Coquitlam. (Wesgroup Properties/Choice Properties)