Vancouver Approves Super Tall Georgia + Abbott Development

Canada is set to build Vancouver’s first supertall building following city council approval for the Georgia + Abbott development. Designed by Henriquez Partners Architects and developed by Holborn, this project will become Western Canada’s tallest tower. The plan covers three million square feet across three interconnected sites on West Georgia Street and Abbott Street. A 1,033-foot hotel tower will be central to the project, featuring a ‘forest in the sky’ to classify it as a supertall structure.

A Holborn spokesperson noted, “The city council’s approval marks a major milestone. We expect nearly five years of design and permitting activities before construction begins.” The approval came after a public July hearing and consideration of a site consolidation addendum. A Holborn-owned parking lot is also set to be rezoned into a social housing tower with a child-care facility and Indigenous art gallery, according to local reports.

Councilor Sarah Kirby-Yung told CBC, “The site is currently underutilized from a public benefit perspective. The project aligns with our commitment to creating a vibrant Vancouver.” Holborn emphasizes public space creation, transit connection improvements, tourism support, and job and investment generation through this development. Recent project renderings depict a redesigned public plaza showcasing Indigenous art and gathering areas.

Despite support, debates persist over the located skyscraper’s scale and Holborn’s developmental history, particularly previous project delays. Holborn’s statement called the decision ‘a defining milestone’ in Vancouver’s history. The new 920-room hotel will include an observation deck and green space at the top, likened to a ‘forest in the sky’ by Henriquez Partners Architects.

The development draws inspiration from the unique glass-sea-sponge reefs on the Pacific Coast. According to Holborn, these marine structures influenced the tower’s architecture, from its structural design to sculptural balcony appearances.

Housing and Public Improvements

The Georgia + Abbott project will deliver 1,783 homes, including market-rate, purpose-built rental, and non-market housing. Holborn will contribute 237 social housing units as part of the Community Amenity Contribution. The sites currently contain no residential tenants and are largely parking areas reserved for future public benefits, including a child-care facility and Indigenous art gallery.

Holborn plans to connect Vancouver’s central business district with Gastown, Chinatown, and the Downtown Eastside, supporting downtown revitalization. Aiming for net-zero operational carbon and reducing embodied carbon by 54% against municipal benchmarks, the project replaces underutilized parking with a vibrant mixed-use hub. Holborn claims it combines significant architecture with substantial public benefits, advancing housing, tourism infrastructure, heritage preservation, and public space enhancements.

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