Located at the corner of Burrard and Nelson Streets in downtown Vancouver, the former BC Hydro building is a recognized icon of modern architecture in the skyline of the city. In 1990, following the relocation of the Hydro offices, the building became available for redevelopment. Through negotiations with the City of Vancouver, rezoning was obtained in four months, enabling the preservation of the building and its conversion into affordable residential apartments.
Residential units start from level three upwards to level twenty one. The building’s ten-foot module and shallow depth was ideal for creating residential suites with maximum window exposure. The new curtain wall was designed to accommodate opening windows and expanded vision panels while maintaining the existing colour and proportion of the detail elements.
The innovative aspects of planning and design of the project contributed to a very successful pre-sale program in the fall of 1993. Since completion and occupancy, the project was awarded the City of Vancouver Heritage Award in 1995.