It's not quite as popular as Brentwood Town Centre Station or Lougheed Town Centre Station in terms of the number of master-planned projects, but the Millennium Line SkyTrain's Holdom Station has its own master-planned community on the way: Bassano.
The Bassano Master Plan is currently being developed by Burnaby-based real estate developer Boffo Developments at a 4.1-acre site located a three-minute walk away from Holdom Station.
The site is comprised of 2100 Springer Avenue, 2160 Springer Avenue, 2210 Springer Avenue, and 5534 Lougheed Highway, which BC Assessment values at $19,579,700, $24,830,900, $3,475,000, and $46,204,100, for a total valuation of $94,089,700. The properties are held by Boffo Developments under Springer Holdings Inc.
Boffo Developments is owned and operated by the Boffo family and the project is named after Bassano del Grappa, a city in Italy where the family hails from.
In July 2022, the City of Burnaby granted final approval to the Bassano Site Conceptual Master Plan, which will include four high-rise towers constructed in three phases.
An overview of the Bassano Master Plan at Springer Avenue and Lougheed Highway in Burnaby. / Arcadis, Boffo Developments
Phase One
In June 2023, Boffo Developments advanced Phase One of Bassano, which consisted of a 43-storey tower located at the southwest corner of the site, along Springer Avenue. This tower is set to deliver 318 strata units, comprised of 118 one-bedroom units, 158 two-bedroom units, and 42 three-bedroom units. A total of 460 vehicle parking stalls 746 bicycle parking stalls will be provided in a four-level underground parkade.
Tower One was originally planned as a 40-storey tower, but Council approved a density transfer between the Bassano project and Boffo's low-rise project at 5650 Beresford Street, located east of Royal Oak Station. The transfer allowed for additional density at Bassano and the Beresford project to be delivered as a full non-market rental building, satisfying the inclusionary rental requirements the first two phases of Bassano.
Phase One, with an expected completion of 2028, will entail the demolition of the industrial buildings that currently occupy 2160 Springer Avenue, 2210 Springer Avenue, and the southern portion of 5534 Lougheed Highway, the latter of which is the site of Phase Two.
"The development form provides a strong street-oriented relationship to Springer Avenue, as well as a thoughtful contextual relationship to surrounding, existing and planned development," said City staff in a planning report. "The development includes a diversity of unit sizes and typologies in order to accommodate a range of incomes, age cohorts, and abilities, as well as a generous amenity package including a variety of meeting and recreation rooms, a fitness centre, and significant outdoor amenity."
A rendering of Bassano Tower One (left) and its main entrance (right). / Boffo Developments
A rendering of the rooftop skylounge's exterior (left) and interior (right). / Boffo Developments
Phase Two
Boffo then initiated Phase Two of Bassano in August 2024 before officially submitting the rezoning application in September. Set for the southeast corner of the site, directly east of Phase One, the second phase will consist of a 45-storey tower with 336 strata units, comprised of zero studio units, 126 one-bedroom units, 168 two-bedroom units, and 42 three-bedroom units. Again, this tower will sit atop a four-level underground parkade, which will provide 418 vehicle parking stalls and 740 bicycle parking stalls.
Phase Two has a total proposed floor area ratio of 6.07, of which 1.59 is made possible via a density bonus permitted for Bassano that Boffo is opting to use for Phase Two, which will be the tallest of Bassano's four towers.
Serving as the architect of the master plan and the first two phases is Arcadis, and the firm notes in the rezoning application that the second tower will mirror the first tower.
"Throughout history, there have been many examples of twin tower developments — tall buildings on one site, which share the same architectural characteristics," they said. "These developments create a sense of connectiveness between two buildings, sharing common spaces at street level, with the potential to create a stronger community vision within a masterplan."
Renderings of the lobby (left) and rooftop (right) of Bassano Phase Two. / Arcadis, Boffo Developments
Renderings of the first two towers of Bassano. / Arcadis, Boffo Developments
What Happens Next
Burnaby City Council granted third reading — conditional approval — to Phase One in April 2024 and Boffo is now working towards meeting the conditions for final approval.
Concurrently, Council will be considering a first and second reading for Phase Two on Tuesday, January 28.
Following these two phases / towers, the third and final phase will consist of two towers that make up the northern half of the site. A rezoning application has yet to be submitted, but those two towers are expected to be shorter than the first two towers, and will also include about 144 inclusionary rental units.
