By Elke Porter | WBN News Vancouver | May 8, 2025

After nearly two decades of planning and negotiation, Vancouver’s skyline may soon see a dramatic transformation. The Holborn Group, a prominent local developer, has submitted a new proposal for an ambitious redevelopment project that would include Metro Vancouver’s tallest skyscraper—soaring to over 300 metres in height. This bold new plan is set to reshape two major downtown city blocks and bring Vancouver closer to its aspiration of becoming a truly global city.

At the heart of the proposal is the long-anticipated redevelopment of the Hudson’s Bay parkade site, spanning the city block bordered by West Georgia, Seymour, Richards, and Dunsmuir streets. The project, designed by Henriquez Partners Architects, includes three towers ranging from 68 to 80 storeys. Uses will include luxury condominiums, market rental housing, commercial space, and a 920-room hotel—making it the region’s most significant mixed-use development to date.

The site also incorporates important heritage elements, such as the 1929-built Randall Building and the preservation mandate of the historic Dunsmuir House. A massive island podium deck will unify the towers, featuring open-air plazas, rooftop gardens, and even a glass-bottom swimming pool suspended above the busy intersection of West Georgia and Seymour.

This new proposal follows earlier designs by MAD Architects and the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), which showcased futuristic concepts with international flair. However, city officials had previously rejected several iterations between 2017 and 2023, citing insufficient scale and community benefits.

Holborn’s updated vision includes not just landmark architecture, but meaningful social contributions. On a second site in the Downtown Eastside, the developer plans to build a 38-storey tower with social housing, child care, and an Indigenous art gallery—all to be handed over to the city upon completion.

With Vancouver's growth accelerating and demand for housing and commercial space surging, Holborn’s proposal arrives at a pivotal moment. If approved, this development could redefine the downtown core and set a new benchmark for urban design in Canada.

#Vancouver Skyline #Holborn Group #Luxury Real Estate #Downtown Vancouver #Skyscraper Development #Urban Transformation #WBN News Vancouver #Elke Porter

Connect with Elke at Westcoast German Media or on LinkedIn: Elke Porter or contact her on WhatsApp:  +1 604 828 8788

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