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North Van’s giant Lonsdale Square breaks ground

Massive mixed-used community will eventually include more than 800 homes and a new recreation centre
M4 Rendering  FINAL (1)

Darwin Properties began construction this week – June 1 - on Phase 1 of Lonsdale Square, a 6.6 acre North Vancouver development that will transform the upper area of Lonsdale Avenue.

One of the largest projects ever built in the City of North Vancouver, the mixed-used community will feature more than 800 new homes, including seniors housing and market rental housing, a new 2.25 acre city park and revitalized Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre.

Phase 1 construction will include a 113-unit rental building, a partnership between Darwin Properties and Minto Properties Inc..

It also includes the first seniors assisted housing built in the City of North Vancouver in 30 years. The Darwin and  Sunrise Seniors Living facility will be six storeys with 100 units for assisted living.

 “We know there is a spectrum of housing needs across the community,” said City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan. “The construction of these new units means that more families, young people, and seniors will be able to afford staying in the community they call home.”

The rental building will be the first for Minto Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust, which is partnering on the project with Darwin, said Michael Waters, CEO of Minto.

Completion of the first two buildings is expected late in 2023, with move in scheduled for the same period.

At complete build-out, Lonsdale Square will encompass almost 700,000 square feet of office, retail and residential use. The first phase comprises the rental and the seniors housing building. The second phase will include residential condos with additional rental housing, as well as restaurants, retail amenities and daycare facilities, according to Darwin, which is based in North Vancouver.