The VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is planning two high-rise towers as part of its long-awaited expansion plans, according to a rezoning application published by the City of Vancouver on Thursday (after it was published briefly on Monday then un-published).
The site of the expansion project is 900 and 990 W 12th Avenue, two parcels located near the southwest corner of the existing building, just west of the existing above-ground parkade.
The 1.4-acre site is currently occupied by the 14-storey Windermere Care Centre at the corner of W 12th Avenue and Laurel Street (900 W 12th Avenue), while a three-storey rental building with 26 units occupies the corner of W 12th Avenue and Oak Street (990 W 12th Avenue).
In March 2022, the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation announced that it had acquired the two properties for $100 million and signalled plans for an expansion. BC Assessment currently values 900 W 12th Avenue at $15,800,000 and 990 W 12th Avenue at $9,750,000, for a total valuation — dated to July 1, 2024 — of $25,550,000.
THe 900-990 W 12th Avenue site near the southeast corner of Vancouver General Hospital. / VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
For the site, the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is proposing a 26-storey West Tower at the corner of Oak Street as the first of two phases. This tower would be broken up into three components. The five-level podium would house essential clinical space, which will be determined by Vancouver Coast Health's requirements. Above the podium would then be 10 floors of long-term care space, with 28 beds per floor on a floorplate of 20,000 sq. ft. At the top of this tower will then be office space for physicans and clinical support.
This first phase includes 544,624 sq. ft altogether and is "designed to address immediate healthcare needs," the Foundation said.
Phase Two would then see a 28-storey East Tower at the corner of Laurel Street. This tower has a smaller floorplate and is more akin to a traditional office tower, with clinical support space throughout most of the tower, plus a daycare with 3,000 sq. ft of space, for a total of 340,011 sq. ft.
The layout of the spaces in the 28-storey East Tower (left in both photos) and 26-storey West Tower. / MCMP Architects, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
The layout of the public space across the site. / MCMP Architects, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
A big part of the development plan is also a public double-height atrium that spans the entire width of the site, through the northern edge of both buildings, with a large central plaza between the two towers.
"The atrium features a stepped design that aligns with the sidewalk, maintaining a strong pedestrian connection throughout the site," according to the rezoning application. "This public atrium gracefully spills into a central outdoor plaza, designed for social gatherings, relaxation, and enjoyment of the fresh air. Landscape elements from the open space are thoughtfully incorporated into the interior, creating a calm and serene healing environment."
Across the two towers, there is also expected to be 5,271 sq. ft of retail space. Although it is not explicitly discussed in the application, the West Tower also includes a space allocated for LifeLabs.
The public atrium space within the West Tower. / MCMP Architects, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
The public atrium space within the West Tower. / MCMP Architects, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
Altogether, the proposal is for 884,635 sq. ft on the 62,507-sq.-ft site, which translates to a floor space ratio (density) of 14.15. The proposal has a maximum height of 353 ft. In terms of parking, a three-and-a-half-level underground parkade with 345 vehicle spaces and 431 bicycle spaces has been proposed and would be shared across both buildings.
Serving as the architect on the project is MCMP Architects, which previously designed the Vancouver Convention Centre West and The Post, among other notable buildings.
"Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) has the opportunity to address growing demands for ambulatory care and other health services by resetting and refreshing its ambulatory care strategy," the applicants said in their application. "This expansion also provides the opportunity to consolidate existing VGH related leases within the Broadway Corridor."
According to the applicants, Phase One alone would support increased capacity for transplant clinics, hematology programs, surgical oncology, seniors' care, women's health clinics, complex medicine clinics, diagnostic services, and a cardiac innovation centre. The addition of 280 new long-term care beds also addresses Vancouver's shortage of such space, with the deficit estimated at about 1,300 beds.
View of the towers from the corner of W 12th Avenue and Oak Street. / MCMP Architects, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
Aerial view of the two towers and Vancouver General Hospital from a distance. / MCMP Architects, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
Although the plan is for the towers to be constructed in two phases, it's unclear when the first phase can proceed even if / when approved by the City. According to the rezoning application, the project's timeline is "contingent on fundraising efforts." Additionally, the existing Windermere Care Centre is operating at full capacity, so either an alternative space has to be found first or the second phase would have to wait until the first phase is completed, the Foundation said.
The 900-990 W 12th Avenue site falls within the Broadway Plan, but is one of eight "Large and Unique Sites" with different allowances. The applications say their proposal is compliant with the Broadway Plan and the Seniors Housing Strategy and Seniors Housing Rezoning Policy, among other policies.
As the site is also currently occupied by a 26-unit rental building, the proposal is also subject to the City's tenant protection policies. However, because the proposal includes no new residential units, the displaced tenants will not have the usual "right of first refusal" option and the Foundation will be seeking an exemption from Council.
After submitting their rezoning application in December, the City of Vancouver will be hosting the Q&A period for the rezoning application from Wednesday, April 9 to Tuesday, April 22, and the proposal will then go to the Urban Design Panel on April 23.
