Vancouver permit board conditionally approves controversial Chinatown condo project

The Vancouver Development Permit Board has voted to conditionally approve a condo project at 105 Keefer Street in the city's Chinatown district.

The Vancouver Development Permit Board has voted to conditionally approve a condo project at 105 Keefer Street in the city's Chinatown district.

The Beedie Group's project — a nine-story, 111-unit tower — was first proposed in a different form in 2014. After numerous iterations, the development permit board rejected the proposal in 2017.

However, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled in December that the board should take another look at its decision. After numerous hearings within the last month, the board decided to approve the project with certain conditions.

The conditions include screening to conceal machinery, the provision of outdoor seating, and a requirement developers involve the Chinatown arts community.

The conditions also state that the final building should complement the cultural significance of its neighbours, including the Chinatown Memorial Square.