Vancouver approves Western Canada's tallest tower with public observation deck
City Council votes 7–3 to advance Holborn Group's landmark Hudson's Bay parkade redevelopment, featuring a 1,034-foot hotel tower with a glass-domed viewing platform.
Sources · local media reports
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Vancouver City Council approved one of the most ambitious private development projects in the city's history Monday, voting 7–3 to allow Holborn Group's landmark redevelopment of the Hudson's Bay parkade block in Downtown Vancouver to move forward.
The project is anchored by Western Canada's tallest tower, reaching 1,034 feet (315 metres) with 920 hotel rooms, a 70,000-square-foot conference centre with three ballrooms, and a world-class public observation deck. The glass-domed attraction will sit above 1,000 feet, with three viewing levels and a restaurant.
Two residential towers beside the supertall would reach 783 feet (239 metres) and 889 feet (271 metres), containing 1,546 homes combined — 1,270 market condominiums and 276 secured rental units — plus over 40,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space at street level. If fully realized, the tallest tower would be the first technical "supertall" tower west of Toronto, with the other two buildings becoming Vancouver's second and third tallest.
The ABC governing majority on council endorsed the application. Green councillor Pete Fry, COPE councillor Sean Orr, and OneCity councillor Lucy Maloney opposed it.
As a public benefit, the developer will fund and build a separate City-owned, 25-storey social housing tower at 388 Abbott Street, immediately east of the Woodward's complex on the edge of Gastown. The tower will contain 237 social housing units, a 37-space childcare facility, and about 5,000 square feet of commercial and cultural space, legally timed with the first phase of the Hudson's Bay parkade redevelopment.
The facts
How tall is Western Canada's tallest tower approved in Vancouver?
The tower reaches 1,034 feet (315 metres) and will be anchored by a hotel with 920 rooms, a conference centre, and a public observation deck with three viewing levels.
How many homes will the two residential towers contain?
The two residential towers will contain 1,546 homes combined — 1,270 market condominiums and 276 secured rental units.
What social housing will the developer build as a public benefit?
The developer will fund and build a 25-storey social housing tower at 388 Abbott Street in Gastown, containing 237 social housing units, a 37-space childcare facility, and about 5,000 square feet of commercial and cultural space.
How did Vancouver City Council vote on the project?
Vancouver City Council voted 7–3 on Monday, July 27, 2026, to approve Holborn Group's redevelopment of the Hudson's Bay parkade block, with the ABC governing majority endorsing the application.
