Open House For Oakridge Centre

The revised plans for the proposed redevelopment of Ivanhoe Cambridge's Oakridge Centre were put on display with two open houses. Ivanhoe has submitted a rezoning application to renovate the shopping centre, located at the corner of Cambie St and West 41st Ave. into its own small city. Ivanhoe is investing in excess of $1B in the massive project, over 28 acres of land. More than 2300 people gathered for the open houses, the latest in a line of outreach endeavours by the company to solicit feedback from the community. (Let a child keep the wood rendering and they'll have positive feedback for life.)

Highlights of the revisions include expanding the amenity building (Civic Centre) from 45K SF to 70K SF, an increase in social housing units from 150 to 280, and movement/sculpting of buildings to the benefit of neighbouring buildings and streets. Overall, the proposed redevelopment would double the size of the mall to 1.4M SF, create more than 2,800 residential units, including 280 social housing units, 14 acres of public space as well as 300K SF of new office space. The enhancements to the project were in direct response to previous community consultations as well as meeting with the city.

The revised plan still includes 13 towers, with the lowest now at 17 storeys, and tallest remaining at 45 storeys, however the positions of some have shifted to better accommodate neighbours. Massing and heights of residential buildings have been sculpted and relocated to increase liveability, reduce view and shadow impacts, and improve the relationship with neighbouring streets and buildings. The Civic Centre has moved from the rooftop podium to ground level to increase accessibility.