2211 WEST 4TH AVENUE REDEVELOPMENT
REDEVELOPMENT
Client: Salt Lick Projects Ltd.
Services: Architecture, Urban Design, Interior
Design
Cost: $15 M
Size: 13,000 sq m
Completion: 1995
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Identified by the City of Vancouver as a model for mixed-use development,
the project is located in the heart of Vancouver’s vibrant West Fourth Kitsilano
community. The concrete structure includes 78 condominium units above
neighbourhood retail and office space and provides 274 underground parking
stalls. Great care was taken to link the design of the development to the past
use of the site - a car dealership - as well as to engage the local streetscape and
neighbourhood. One of the project’s key urban design objectives was to achieve
residential intensification, while respecting the existing surrounding residential
neighbourhood.
A key urban design strategy to deal with the significant length of the project was
to break the building into three sections separated by small courtyards. These
courtyards, particularly the westerly one adjacent to the Capers store (now Whole
Foods), contribute to the street’s pedestrian amenity by providing places to rest
and people watch. They also reduce the apparent bulk and length of the building
thus further integrating it into the existing, fine-scale character of West 4th
Avenue. Yet, the spaces are small enough to maintain the crucial streetfront, retail
continuity which is the hallmark of successful urban streets.
The project was one of the first of its type in Western Canada to incorporate
environmental features such as geothermal energy, energy-efficient gas
fireplaces, recycled building materials, a garbage recycling program, and a filtered
water system.
DIALOG was responsible for design of the block-long development, tenant design
coordination, and the interiors of Duthie Books and Coast Mountain Sports.