Canada Post building redevelopment plans unveiled in Vancouver

Developers offered a sneak peek ofproposed plans for theformer Canada Post office in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday night.

It's been threeyearssince Canada Post vacated its former office on West Georgia Street. Developers Bentall Kennedy hope to turn the property into a mixed-usetowerwith residential units and retail space.

The former Canada Post headquarterswas built in 1958and takes up an entire city block. Mail was oncetransported through tunnelsfrom the building to theWaterfront train station.

Bentall Kennedy has unveiled plans to transform the structure into a 19-storey office tower with 850 rental and condounits.

"Vancouver really needs more affordable housing, more rental housing. So we want to try and support that initiative," saidBentallKennedy executive TonyAstles.

The proposed plans also have plenty of retail space for shoppers. Astles says the company has been working with city staff to meet the needs of the downtown core.

"Given the large site, we need to break up the mixes and the uses there," he said.

Heritage preservation challenges

The redevelopment has its challenges. The former Canada Post office has been called a fortress,with plenty of heritage value. Astles says the Bentall Kennedy redevelopmentwill try and preserve that.

"It will be the largest heritage revitalization in the city's history if it goes ahead," said heritage consultantDonaldLuxton. "The scale of the building is amazingit's massive."

Many of the attendees at the open house on Wednesdayseemed on board with the plans, although some said they were hoping for more of an infusion of arts and culture into the space, and services that appeal to a broader community.

Developers plan on submitting a rezoning application to the city in about twomonths.

If the city approves the proposal,the project could be complete by 2021.