May 31, 2020 – Darwin Properties begins construction this week on Phase 1 of Lonsdale Square, a 6.6 acre development that will transform the upper area of Lonsdale. One of the largest projects ever built in the City of North Vancouver, this upcoming mixed-used community will feature over 800 new homes, including seniors housing, non-profit and below 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 with 8,000 square feet of retail space, a partnership between Darwin Properties and Minto Properties Inc. (“Minto”). Phase 1 will also include the first seniors assisted housing in the City of North Vancouver in 30 years. Developed and owned by Sunrise Senior Living, this facility will be six storeys with 100 units for assisted living and memory care.

“The vision for this new community is to create a hub that brings renewed energy, activity and amenities to the north end of the Lonsdale corridor and to build more housing options for all stages of life in the North Vancouver community,” says Oliver Webbe, CEO, Darwin Properties. “With the new Harry Jerome Rec Centre, this area will become a vibrant, new energy centre on the North Shore. As a North Vancouver company, we have worked hard to create a development that residents can enjoy for generations to come.”

“We know there is a spectrum of housing needs across the community,” said City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan. “For too long people have struggled to find the right fit for them in the right location. The City is committed to delivering more housing options that will support all people. 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.”

Minto Apartment REIT is providing financing for the development of the 113-unit rental building and will be the REIT’s entrance into the Vancouver-area market.

“Phase I of Lonsdale Square is Minto’s first investment in the Greater Vancouver Area, and we are proud to be partnering with Darwin on this exciting project,” says Michael Waters, Chief Executive Officer of Minto.

The contemporary rental building will include several high-quality amenities including: a social lounge and games room, rootftop deck with BBQs, gardens and landscaping, pet wash and grooming area, 190 bike stalls and commercial and retail at grade. Completion of these 2 buildings is expected in Q2, 2023 with move in scheduled for the same period.

The overall Lonsdale Square development will include a variety of residential, commercial and amenity space to address the current and future needs of this North Shore community. 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.

For more information: https://lonsdalesquare.ca


About Darwin Properties

Darwin Properties is a family-run development company that was founded as Darwin Construction in 1987. Since then, Darwin has grown to be one of the most active developers on the North Shore, with a construction division as well as a development division. With over 30 years of experience in construction and development, Darwin now has more than 65 acres and 4.8 million square feet of residential, mixed-use and commercial projects in the planning or construction phase of development on the North Shore, including Lonsdale Square, the North Shore Innovation District and Maplewood Gardens. It is actively working in joint venture partnerships with the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation and institutional investors like QuadReal and Minto to build holistic, integrated and healthy communities within large-scale, master-planned developments.


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