2007: The Year Ahead

In looking back at our coverage of Vancouver development in 2006, we've decided to go with the start of construction work at the Woodwards site as the biggest story of the year. Besides the sheer size of the project, the transformative effect that the Woodwards development will have on the Gastown neighbourhood will be substantial.

Other noteable runners-up include the announcement of the Gateway Project, the proposed downtown Cultural Precinct, the proposed Whitecaps Stadium, and the awarding of the Olympic Village development contract to the Millenium Group.

It's worthwhile to note that construction on the Convention Centre Expansion and Canada Line began in 2004 and 2005, respectively.

So what will be the biggest Vancouver development-related story of 2007? We've got a few guesses that we thought we'd throw out there:

1. A new, iconic dowtown office tower will be announced, in answer to the city's growing need for more office space
2. The completion of several downtown residential projects will flood the real estate market with heavily-discounted condos by year's end
3. The topping-out of the Shangri-La building
4. The start of construction on 1153 West Georgia
5. The completion of the Link Building and Phase I of the YVR terminal expansion

Any other thoughts, rumours, or suggestions out there? We'd love to hear them.

Comments

[teekay]

I'm looking forward to hearing about the design plans for the Dalai Lama centre! Has anyone heard where it's going to be yet?

[Lawrence]

I sincerely hope they tear down the Sears building and build this "Iconic new office tower" on the spot.

[ddo]

Amen, brother. Amen.

[Joe]

The Scotiabank Tower is the biggest eyesore downtown. It is the most outdated ugly tower in the downtown core. It would be best to tear that down and put in a 900 ft + in it's spot. As far as view cones are concerned, we should be realistic as to how we will best utilize the space on the peninsula. The higher the better, as it will battle urban sprawl more effectively.