The aging buildings of Robson Street in Vancouver’s West End have a long history of serving as storefronts for an array of fashion retailers, from boutique luxury shops to renowned global brands. But like many popular shopping destinations, the once-thriving corridor has faced its share of challenges since the heydays of the 80s and 90s, including changing consumer preferences, exorbitant lease rates, and buildings that have noticeably weathered over time.
In 2014, the City of Vancouver launched a formal plan to revitalize the area in an attempt draw back businesses, improve livability, and create new housing for residents of all income groups. With these ongoing efforts, the West End will continue to blossom into a diverse, walkable neighbourhood, offering world-class parks and beaches, a vibrant social scene, and a wide range of restaurants and commercial services.
No stranger to the Robson Street corridor, GWL Realty Advisors (GWLRA) acquired a development site for a boutique-style building known as “Chronicle” in 2016. The 21-storey market rental tower at 825 Nicola Street officially opened in 2021, adding significant new rental stock to the Lower Robson neighbourhood.
As the first Robson Street rental project approved under the City’s West End Community Plan, Chronicle captured a lot of attention and its units leased-up with ease. Since then, GWLRA has purchased two new adjacent sites at 1555 and 1525 Robson Street that are collectively zoned to accommodate 400 purpose-built rental units and 40,000 square feet of retail density.
According to Geoff Heu, Vice President, Development Service, Western Canada, these latest acquisitions align with the company’s long-term strategy to help ease Vancouver’s housing shortage and bring quality rental inventory to a neighbourhood lacking supply. Most of the rental stock on Robson Street is decades-old and inadequate for the influx of new residents—but GWLRA saw the potential with its proximity to Stanley Park, host of shopping amenities, and the Central Business District (CBD), when it set out to create Chronicle eight years ago.
“Since the launch of Chronicle, we have been strategically focused on securing additional opportunities for development in the West End, and specifically on the Robson Street corridor,” he said. “Continued development and a renewed rental inventory will lead to a more diversified housing supply for the community and bring in new residents—which in turn, will help local businesses thrive while creating further retail amenities in the future. We anticipate this renewal will have a positive impact on the success of the already-popular retail corridor.”
A neighbourhood focal point
Projected to break ground in late 2025, the two adjacent sites purchased by GWLRA for the same investor client in 2023 and 2024, will allow for a two-tower, mixed-use project that Heu anticipates will act as a focal point and a neighbourhood hub.
“The two residential rental towers with approximately 200 units a piece will offer much-needed rental housing options and a host of amenities aimed at delivering an elevated resident experience,” he said. “It will be one of the few new rental projects along the Robson corridor, bringing additional life and animation to the area.”
Meanwhile, the 40,000 square feet, two-storey commercial podium will help improve the streetscape and offer a variety of new retail options, including a potential new grocer and a host of other, smaller scale pedestrian-oriented retailers.
According to Heu, GWLRA had a development permit application in progress for a 193-unit residential tower for the first site acquired in 2023 and were working through the entitlement process with the City prior to acquisition of 1555 Robson in April. That application has since been put on hold while the team redesigns for a consolidated project on the larger site. The project is expected to proceed through the City entitlement process for the next twelve months before construction kicks off in the second half of 2025.
“We are excited about the opportunity to combine 1555 Robson with our client’s neighbouring ownership position,” added Steven Marino, Executive Vice President, Portfolio Management, GWLRA. “The combined site represents a rare, scaled opportunity in one of Canada and North America’s most attractive and dynamic markets.”
About the West End
The West End is situated between West Georgia Street, Burrard Street, Stanley Park, and English Bay. It includes the Davie Village—the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community—and Denman Street, which provides local shopping, services, and restaurants. Robson Street is known as the higher-end shopping district and main thoroughfare to the downtown core. According to the latest data, the West End community is home to approximately 48,000 residents, the majority of which are renters.
For more news and updates, visit: GWL Realty Advisors
