A major development proposal could transform an empty lot near Vancouver's Main Street-Science World SkyTrain station into a vibrant community hub with hundreds of new rental homes and essential amenities.
Project Details and Community Impact
GWL Realty Advisors Inc. has submitted a rezoning application to the City of Vancouver for the vacant property at 1220 Station Street, located just steps from the Main Street-Science World SkyTrain station and immediately south of Pacific Central Station. The proposal calls for two residential towers—one standing 28 storeys and the other reaching 36 storeys—connected by an 8-storey podium.
The development would create approximately 470 rental homes, with 20 percent designated as below-market-rate units. The complex would also feature 4,700 square feet of ground-floor retail space, a substantial 26,000 square-foot grocery store on the second floor, and approximately 50,550 square feet of office or medical laboratory space.
Connecting Transit and Healthcare
The location is strategically positioned just one block from the new St. Paul's Hospital, making it ideal for addressing the city and provincial goals of providing workforce rental housing for hospital staff once the facility opens. The application specifically mentions the potential for furnished rental suites to accommodate healthcare workers.
"This site is the missing link that will connect the Main Street SkyTrain Station to the new St. Paul's Hospital—creating a lively and attractive node for the West Flats neighbourhood to live, work, shop and play," states the rezoning application submitted in December 2024 and revised in mid-2025.
Public Amenities and Design Considerations
Rounding out the proposed development would be a 5,320 square-foot public plaza on the southwest corner of the property, adding to the existing green space at nearby Thornton Park. The building design accommodates amended view cone heights and matches the architectural style of other towers in the False Creek Flats area.
Geoff Heu, GWL vice president, emphasized last year that "our proposal supports the area's future hospital community by providing much-needed rental accommodation for those who will work at or visit the hospital, as well as medical office space and retail services."
The application seeks to change the lot's zoning from FC-2 (False Creek Flats) sub area zoning from office use to mixed use. Currently, this is the only lot in the FC-2 district that does not permit residential purposes. Public feedback on the proposal is being accepted until November 18, 2025.
