Woodward's: ... a new beginning
    
  
  

 

CITY OF VANCOUVER
   
   

 

Woodward's Hotline
604.873.7808


Woodward's Home

The Story of Woodward's

Guiding Principles

Project Timeline

Community Consultation

Development Proposal

Background Documents

Go to the GVTV Web site
Video backgrounders about Woodward's:

Sales launch
Site demolition
Meet the team
Design competition
Sign restoration
History
Inside Woodward's
Memories
Public process
 
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The Future of Woodward's

Woodward's developmentThe Woodward's building, located in the 100 block of West Hastings in Vancouver, combines market and non-market housing, along with commercial/retail and institutional arts space, all of which are designed to be socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. It is part of a larger effort to revitalize one of Vancouver’s historic neighbourhoods with the addition of up to 6,000 students and faculty, residents, shoppers, office and other workers.

The Woodward's development will house:

  • 200 non-market housing units
  • 9 universally accessible units
  • a daycare facility
  • a sustainable environment with green spaces on rooftops and is Silver LEED certified
  • SFU School of Contemporary Arts
  • London Drugs
  • Nester's/ Woodward's food floor
  • non-profit and federal office space

Community/ Social Benefits

Woodward's has long played a pivotal role in our city. It once provided food, household goods and employment to many people in the local community and beyond. Today, it is the focus of a neighbourhood's hopes and dreams.

The City of Vancouver purchased the Woodward's building from the Province of BC in March 2003. The City began a unique process to involve the community and other Vancouver residents in designing and planning the redevelopment of the building in a way that is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.

Community involvement:

  • 18 local residents were trained and hired through programs such as Bladerunners.Globe
  • In the future, retail/commercial in the building have plans to hire local residents for jobs in the service industry, and for security, gardening and cleaning opportunities.
  • Westbank provided 15 low-interest loans to help people who otherwise couldn’t afford to purchase units in the development.
  • The development has plans for affordable rental space, including theatre space, for community groups.
  • Local procurement of materials and services was a guiding principle during the project.

In September 2004, City Council chose Westbank Projects/Peterson Investment Group (Henriquez Partners, architects) as the developer for the Woodward's project. Learn more about the proposal and meet the design team.

archival photo of Woodard's building
Woodward's Department Store (City of Vancouver Archives CVA 677-611)
Photographer: Philip T. Timms
Latest News

W on top of building

The "W" is back

Gone from Vancouver's skyline since 2006, the lighted, twirling "W" is now back atop the new Woodward's building. The replica "W", which uses environmentally correct LED lights, was hoisted up on Saturday, January 9, 2010

Woodward’s – the Upside-Down Project

RFP Issued for Non-Profit Generic Office & Assembly Space - August 2009

An RFP for Non-Profit Generic Office and Assembly Space is being issued August 24th, 2009. The deadline for submissions is September 28, 2009. For more information please call 604.873.7438

Proposal Requirements
Woodward's Generic RFP Q & A
Woodward's Non Profit Q & A

Frequently asked Questions & Answers

Woodwards Q-A for social enterprise space and purpose built non profit space

Purpose-built Non-Profit Tenants Selected for Woodward's - June 2009

Two non-profit tenants were endorsed by City Council for the purpose-built space in the new Woodward's Development. An RFP for generic space Non-Profit Tenants will be issued later this year.
Purpose-built Non-Profit Tenants

First phase near completion - April 2009

Mayor at Woodward's

>>View photos

Development permit issued

On January 26, 2007, the City issued the Development Permit for the Woodward’s site.

Woodward's demolition

GVTV cameras were rolling as buildings on the Woodward's site were demolished in 2006. See the demolition from various angles using the links below.

All cameras
Street-level view
Inside view
Dominion building view (realtime)
Dominion building view (slo-mo)
Lore Krill building view

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Comments or questions? Send us e-mail at woodwards@vancouver.ca

© 2007, City of Vancouver, Real Estate Services
Last Modified: Monday, January 11, 2010