The decision will displace about 40 tenants, many of whom say they will lose access to their neighbourhood, essential services and community connections
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Hotel rooms over homes. That’s the message critics say Vancouver council sent Tuesday by approving a 22-storey hotel to replace a low-rise Mount Pleasant rental apartment building.
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Council voted to approve Lotus Capital Corp. and Nicola Real Estate’s rezoning application. They want to replace the 1960s-era Myron Manor at 75 East 8th Ave. with a 190-unit extended-stay hotel above two floors of industrial space. The developer says it would help accommodate business travellers and workers moving to Mount Pleasant’s growing industrial area.
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The vote was split, with six councillors — including Mayor Ken Sim and most of his ABC party caucus — voting in favour and four opposed.
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Sunrise
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City staff and the developer argue the project supports Vancouver’s employment goals, addresses a need for additional hotel rooms in the city and will add industrial space a short walk from the future Mount Pleasant SkyTrain station.
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But the decision will displace about 40 tenants, many of whom say they will lose access to their neighbourhood, essential services and community connections.
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Will Barrocan is a Filipino retiree who has lived at Myron Manor with his wife for more than 24 years.
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“This will ruin our lives,” said the 72-year-old, who lives on a fixed income. His wife, Juliet, works as a housekeeper at a downtown hotel. “My wife cannot afford to retire as we still need money to live out the end of our days.”
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Barrocan said Myron Manor is close to Vancouver’s Filipino community and his health-care supports. He has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and uses a cane to get around, making his nearby family doctor essential.
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“Everything we have worked for is here,” said Barrocan, who pays $1,050 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.
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He was among dozens of tenants who spoke against the proposal at a public hearing this week.
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The redevelopment comes as Vancouver moves to expand its hotel supply.
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Earlier this year, council updated its hotel development policy to encourage new hotel projects.
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According to Destination Vancouver, the city will need about 10,000 additional hotel rooms by 2050 to keep pace with projected demand. The organization has warned that failing to address the shortage could put at risk billions in economic activity.
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The Broadway plan generally envisions buildings of eight to 11 storeys in the Mount Pleasant Industrial and Arts Area. However, recent policy changes created opportunities for taller hotel developments near rapid transit if they include industrial space.
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The rezoning application says the project would provide “desperately needed extended-stay hotel rooms” to support workers relocating to Mount Pleasant’s growing high-tech and biotech sectors while “significantly contributing to city council’s objective to solve the hotel room supply crisis.”
