Vancouver's Gonna Be Lit 🔥: Mega Towers Incoming!
A massive development is being proposed for downtown Vancouver that would transform the city's. Holborn Group wants to drop some serious skyscrapers downtown, including one that's gonna be the tallest in Metro Van. We're talking condos, rentals, hotels, the whole shebang. But will the city vibe w
TL:DR
Holborn Group wants to drop some serious skyscrapers downtown, including one that's gonna be the tallest in Metro Van. We're talking condos, rentals, hotels, the whole shebang. But will the city vibe with it this time? And what's up with the VMF shutting down? Arts funding is lookin' kinda sus in Vancouver.
The Deets on the Towers
Okay, listen up, fam. Holborn Group is tryna COOK with a massive development downtown. Like, HUGE. They wanna build multiple towers, and one of them is aiming to be the TALLEST in Metro Vancouver, clocking in at over 300 meters. No cap, that's high.
This ain't no small flex either. We're talking almost two whole city blocks. One site, between West Georgia and Dunsmuir, is gonna have three towers loaded with condos, market rentals, commercial space, and a 920-room hotel. Sheesh!
But wait, there's more! The other site on Abbott Street is planning a 38-story tower with social housing, childcare, and even an Indigenous art gallery.
Holborn's been at this for like, eight years already, tryna get the city on board. Apparently, they think the city's more down now than before. The design? Props to Henriquez Partners Architects – they're behind this whole vibe. They even had to tweak it 'cause of the heritage building getting demo'd.
Bottom line? We're looking at almost 2,000 new homes hitting the market. Plus that hotel, some retail spots, and a public plaza. The Abbott site will throw in 378 non-market homes too. Major W for housing? We'll see.
Vancouver Mural Festival: RIP? 😭
In other news, things are looking kinda mid for the arts scene. The Vancouver Mural Festival (VMF) just dipped after nine years. They dropped over 450 murals, had events poppin', but the $$ just wasn't there.
They tried to level up with VMF Agency, but between messed up sponsorships, the pandemic's L's, and interest rates being extra, it just wasn't hitting. Relying on grants is a whole struggle, and everyone's feeling the squeeze.
Meanwhile, Victoria is doing the most for their artists. They got MILLIONS locked in, property tax exemptions, and even bought a music venue. Vancouver's got some policies and funding too, like $14 million for cultural grants this year, but it's not really giving the same energy.
Even Adrian Sinclair, the VMF co-founder, is saying we need to invest more in non-profits. Arts and culture could be a huge economic glow up, but it's gotta be supported for real.
Basically, Vancouver's gotta decide if it's gonna go hard for the arts or let it fade. The streets are watching!
Abbreviations Glossary
| Abbreviation | Full Form |
|---|---|
| Lit | Exciting or excellent. |
| No cap | No lie; for real. |
| Cook | To do something well or skillfully. |
| Sheesh | An expression of surprise or amazement. |
| Mid | Mediocre or not good. |
| L's | Losses. |
| Relying on grants is a whole struggle | Expresses the difficulty of solely depending on funding for support. |
| Glow up | A significant improvement or transformation. |
| The streets are watching | People are paying attention. |
| Props | Credit or respect. |