SixtyFiveFirst is a new proposal for a market rental and market condo community development located at 65 First Street in New Westminster, BC.
We recognize and respect that New Westminster is on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Halkomehen-speaking peoples. We acknowledge that colonization has made invisible their histories and connections to the land.
Albert Crescent Park is on the traditional and unceded territories of Qaygayt First Nation and Halkomelem-speaking Coast Salish peoples. It has been known as the Place of the Transformer Stone by the Musqueam and Sto:lo Peoples and is a significant cultural site.
Traditional stories describe a man turned to stone at the base of what is present day Pattullo Bridge. The bridge is said to have covered this rock. The area of the park and adjacent Sapperton Landing was also a known site of gathering and a lookout pre-colonization. Negotiations were staged here between colonizers and the Coast Salish, promises were made but not upheld. Qayqayt First Nation, whose home territory is on each side of the Fraser River (including Albert Crescent Park and Brownsville) are the only nation without a land base in Canada. Their membership has been working with federal, provincial, and municipal government to reassert their traditional rights. Albert Crescent Park presents a real opportunity for reconciliatory practices.
We recognise and respect that New Westminster is on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Halkomelem speaking peoples. We acknowledge that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land. As a City, we are learning and building relationships with the people whose lands we are on.
Merchant House Capital has submitted a rezoning and development permit application for a new market rental and market condo community development at 65 First Street, New Westminster. This project would replace the existing 61 unit strata building known as Kinnaird Place. This development of two towers, 35 and 31 stories, offers 299 market rental units, 30 below market rental units, and 304 market condo units in a beautiful location along the Fraser River, next to Albert Crescent Park.
We want to hear your thoughts.
Civic Address:
65 First Street, New Westminster, BC
Legal address:
Strata lots 1-61, New Westminster District Strata Plan NWS2195
Current Zoning:
RM-2
Proposed Zoning:
CD
Units will consist of:
Indoor Amenity Area:
5,182 sq. ft.
Outdoor Amenity Area:
10,757 sq. ft.
Studios:
28
1 Bed (+):
144
2 Bed (+):
90
3 Bed:
37
* Totals include accessibility and townhouse units.
Studios:
3
1 Bed (+):
15
2 Bed (+):
9
3 Bed:
3
* Totals include accessibility and townhouse units.
Studios:
28
1 Bed (+):
147
2 Bed (+):
91
3 Bed:
38
* Totals include accessibility and townhouse units.
Vehicle
Parking:
473 spaces
Bike
Parking:
980 spaces
Proximity to Albert Crescent Park and Fraser River serves to promotes connection to the natural environment and improves sense of community stewardship for sacred natural spaces.
Promotes a living community which enhances inclusivity through integration of inclusionary housing, market rental, with strata ownership through shared entryways community spaces and common area.
Landmark architecture serve to create a distinct New Westminster skyline, helping promote New Westminster as a modern vibrant city attractive to residents and business.
Design elevates the importance of Albert Crescent Park, further enhancing the importance of greenspace as city sanctuaries,
Development repurposes existing housing which has maximized its economic life, while placing density in a location which has minimal negative impacts to neighbouring sites.
Development allows full realization of development potential in a location that has excellent proximity to transportation infrastructure, park pedestrian and bike path access while still maintaining a small neighborhood feel.
Promotes development of market rental while also creating 30 new affordable homes under City’s inclusionary housing policy.
Merchant House has made an application for a Rezoning and Development Permit for 65 First Street (more commonly known as Kinnaird Place). The rezoning application would seek an increase in the base density of the existing zoning to allow the construction of two residential towers. Tower A would be 35 storeys and include a total of 329 rental units, including 30 affordable housing units. Tower B would be 31 storeys with 304 units of market ownership units for a total of 633 homes.
The rezoning and development permit application for SixtyFiveFirst is compliant with the OCP land use designation for the site (Residential – Tower Apartment). An OCP amendment is not required.
Prior to when Merchant House purchased Kinnaird Place as 61 strata units in 2019, the 61 owners of Kinnaird Place made a determination that it would be better to sell the building as a development site rather than maintain the building as a strata condominium. That decision was not without its challenges, (link: https://vancouversun.com/business/real-estate/new-westminster-strata-windup-and-sale-finds-solution-in-a-bumpy-market); but set in motion a larger decision to defer capital replacement and maintenance over an extended period of time. Kinnaird Place has past the point in its economic life where long term occupancy is viable even with significant capital improvement.
Merchant House entered into a Housing Agreement with City of New Westminster on March 9, 2020 which provided assurances for any renter housed in Kinnaird Place that they would not lose their home through the sale process. At the same time, Merchant House agreed that any new tenant in the building would be entitled to four (4) months termination notice, three (3) months free rent, in addition to Merchant House’s Tenant Assistance Plan at such time as tenancies were terminated as a result of construction.
The Tenant Assistance Plan is intended to provide greater financial and service support than provided under City policy to Tenants to facilitate housing replacement and minimize disruption. Foremost in the plan is flexibility and recognition that all Tenants are not the same. Some Tenants have unique situations and require additional support. A key component of the plan is ensuring on-going tenant communication so Tenants have the information they need in an open and transparent fashion.
The Tenant Assistance Program consists of the following additional steps:
For Pre-existing Tenant (Tenants who entered into lease agreements prior to Merchant House acquiring the property) an additional $2,000 in financial support will be available.
The 30 units of affordable housing represent part of the amenity contribution that the project provides to the community in exchange for higher density. The affordable housing units would be operated by a qualified non-profit that specializes in providing housing to at-need user groups within our community.
The project has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the YWCA Metro Vancouver to own and operate the 30 affordable housing units. YWCA operates a number of housing communities across the lower mainland which provide safe and affordable homes for single women and their dependent children, while providing additional support services to foster health, well-being, and economic stability.
The YWCA offers two forms of housing to its customers: rent geared to income and predetermined rent. Qualifications require that the applicant must be a single mother or single mother with dependent children. For further information on the YWCA and the housing communities they operate see YWCA Metro Vancouver at : https://ywcavan.org/programs/housing.
The project is constructed to meet BC Energy Step Code 3, in compliance with City of New Westminster policy. Step Code 3 requires that the project meet performance objectives for windows, insulation, and lighting among other similar requirements for building operating equipment and systems. Additionally, the project features transportation demand reduction features including 980 bike parking spaces, including a dedicated bike repair station, and electrical plug-ins for e-bikes and scooters. SixtyFiveFirst benefits from proximity to bike and walking paths that connect to the regional transportation network. With a walk score of 64, a bike score of 61, and a transit score of 77, SixtyFiveFirst is conveniently proximate to the amenities and services of Downtown.
Please fill out the Questionnaire at the top of this site or visit our Open House. You can also go to the City’s website by following this link: BeHeardNewWest.ca
