Vancouver council approves mega tower project

Vancouver city council has approved a $2.8 billion mega tower project in the downtown core.

The project by the Holborn Group includes three towers on the old Hudson’s Bay parkade city block on West Georgia and Seymour streets and a social housing building on Abbott Street.

Since its unveiling last year, the proposal has drawn criticism from residents over the size of the towers, whether enough affordable housing will be included and the developer’s reputation.

The project will include a 920-room hotel and conference centre that will be the tallest building in Western Canada, at 315 metres, plus two residential towers with 1,546 market homes.

It also includes retail, a new public plaza and rooftop observation deck.

“The biggest piece I think in terms of public benefit is an entire building of social housing, brand new, 25 storeys over 200 units including childcare gifted to the city,” Vancouver city coun. Peter Meiszner told Global News.

The application for the new project was approved in a seven-to-three vote.

COPE coun. Sean Orr moved an amendment, which failed, to delay the vote until the City of Vancouver completes its higher buildings policy review.

“Why do the review and then also have this before that’s done and I thought we should wait,” Orr said.

“It’s gonna significantly alter the skyline of Vancouver.”

Holborn has been under fire for a social housing development near Queen Elizabeth Park, which remains largely empty 17 years after hundreds of residents were forced out.

In an update provided on Monday, a spokesperson said that construction is active across the site and housing and development has been completed between 33rd Avenue and 37th Avenue along Main Street and the James Street project will open to the public this fall.

The spokesperson said that all non-market housing will be delivered and occupied before any market housing.

Holborn’s five non-market housing buildings (282 homes) are in their final stages. Three are fully complete as of July 17, and the remaining two housing buildings will complete fall of 2026.