Concord Pacific has unveiled plans for Concord Landing, a development project on the northeast bank of False Creek in Vancouver. In particular, it plans 5,000 new housing units, 12 building towers and a pedestrian village.
The project area is located on the former Expo 86 grounds, between Place des Nations and Science World. It hasn’t been developed for decades, but it hosts temporary events, such as Cirque du Soleil.
The project involves the construction of a peripheral road encircling green spaces, pedestrian walkways and 12 towers. Some would reach 65 stories, surpassing Vancouver’s tallest building, the Living Shangri-La, which is 62 stories.
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A look at how Concord Pacific wants to develop the northeast bank of False Creek in Vancouver to create new housing and redevelop the waterfront.
Photo: Photo provided by Shimahara for Concord Pacific
Peter Webb, Concord’s senior vice president of development, says the project aligns with housing inclusion goals
of the City and that it will include a commercial zone under the new housing.
Inspired by the town of Portofino, Italy, the project features stacked housing along a walkable coastline and a three-kilometer sea wall to highlight local merchants, festivals and events.
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This visual proposed by Concord Pacific provides an overview of how the company wants to transform the northeast bank of False Creek into a pedestrian zone with up to 50 small spaces for shops, cafes and restaurants.
Photo: Photo provided by Civitas Architecture for Concord Pacific
Construction of Concord Landing, however, is not expected to happen for two or three years, with the developer planning to submit a rezoning application in the coming months.
The completion of the project is also closely linked to the demolition of the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts, to create connections between Rogers Arena, BC Place stadium, Chinatown, St. Paul Hospital, Science World and the village Olympic.
One of the important elements of the project is to connect the city center to the waterfront by realigning Georgia Street so that it is used by pedestrians, cyclists and cars
Mr. Webb said.
Vancouver City Councilor Peter Meiszner expressed enthusiasm for Concord Landing, noting the potential to build thousands of new housing units and solve the overpass problem.
I look forward to a new road network that will improve traffic management and active transportation
he said, calling the current viaducts outdated.
Although the council voted to remove the viaducts in 2015 and approved a development plan in 2018, demolition has not begun.
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The northeast section of False Creek, which Concord Pacific wants to develop, seen from the sky, January 8, 2025. The viaducts visible in the photo are those that will have to be demolished to allow the project to move forward.
Photo : - / Ben Nelms
Concord Pacific says its contribution of $110 million in 2024, combined with $100 million from Metropolitan Propertiescould cover half of the costs necessary to finally carry out the demolition.
A job very complex
Lon LaClaire, general manager of Vancouver engineering services, said the cost estimate for changing the road network was $438 million in 2018, and would have to be updated due to changes in the Concord project.
He noted the complexity of the project, which involves multiple landowners and the SkyTrain routes, but called it transformer
if done correctly.
It would transform one of the least desirable areas of downtown into one of the most desirable.
Concord also welcomed the city council’s decision to reevaluate the view cones
protected areas of Vancouver, allowing taller towers on the site.
The plan includes up to 50 small shops for local businesses, convertible land, children’s play areas, cycle paths and seaside features.
With information from Chad Pawson
