Study Area

Recent Public Event

The City of Vancouver recently held a public open house to view and comment on the proposed plan for the Granville Loops area. The plan includes reconstructing the street system, building residential units and adding public benefits to the area. City staff were present to answer questions and receive comments. The event was held on:

Monday, July 14, 2008, 4pm-7pm
Best Western Downtown Vancouver
718 Drake Street

View the newspaper ad ››› (PDF)

View the display materials ›››

Granville Loops

Introduction

The Granville Loops are located on the north side of the Granville Bridge. They are considered a “gateway” to downtown Granville Street, an important retail, commercial, and entertainment district with a unique cultural and physical character. Staff are currently working on a Granville Loops Policy Plan which will improve connections between the downtown and False Creek and make better use of valuable land. It includes proposals to reconstruct the street system, incorporate residential units, and add public benefits to the area. These improvements will also create a distinctive form and character, improve the public realm, and allow for future development.

Street System

Currently, southbound vehicles can access the bridge from Howe Street, Granville Street, or by looping on from Pacific Street. Northbound vehicles can leave the bridge via Granville Street, Seymour Street and by looping off onto Pacific Street . The draft plan is proposing that the traffic loops be replaced by an H-configuration of grade-level streets that connect with the surrounding streets and the bridge.

Additional proposed street changes include dividing Rolston Crescent into two one-way streets which staff are referring to as East Rolston and West Rolston (final names to be determined by naming committee). These streets, which will connect Drake to Pacific, will be narrower than normal streets and include sidewalks on both sides. Pedestrians will be able to walk down these streets to False Creek, using safe new crossings on Pacific Boulevard. Granville Street Bridge will be redesigned to transition to Granville Street with larger, more pedestrian friendly sidewalks.

Built Form

It is envisioned that the building heights and forms will create a “valley gateway”. This will be achieved by incorporating lower buildings along Granville Street and higher towers on the Howe and Seymour edges of the area. This continues the vision for the Granville Street redesign which indicates that buildings along this street should be mid-rise. Consideration has been given to maintaining appropriate spacing from existing and potential towers on nearby sites, allowing for views between buildings and preserving privacy. The overall densities and heights will be comparable to those currently allowed in this area and the surrounding neighbourhood.

Public Realm

The public realm contributes to the overall look and feel of an area. The public realm usually includes anything that is found in publicly used spaces such as street furniture, rights of ways and open spaces. Streetscape is a big part of the public realm and refers to uses in buildings lining the streets and the design of adjacent sidewalks and boulevards.

The main design principle for the public realm in the Granville Loops area is domesticity for the new streets and vitality for the existing streets. This will be achieved by creating safe, comfortable, inviting and walkable streets. Residential doors and windows will be overlooking new streets, incorporating the Crime and Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principle of “eyes on the street.” Commercial uses will be located at grade on existing streets to encourage activity and vitality. This high quality public realm character will draw people in and blend the area well with surrounding neighbourhoods.

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