Skip to content

TransLink proposes two 16-storey towers at former North Vancouver bus depot

Early plans include nearly 400 rental units beside a RapidBus stop in the Moodyville area

The site of a former North Vancouver bus depot could provide the foundation for a new mixed-use development.

On Monday, TransLink revealed an initial proposal to build nearly 400 rental units at 502-536 East Third St., steps away from an R2 RapidBus stop.

Still in the early concept phase, the current design features two 16-storey towers with a six-storey “podium” constructed between them. Around 10 per cent of the units will be below market.

Initial plans submitted to the City of North Vancouver include street-level retail and a public plaza on a south parcel of the property along Third Street, as well as “rowhomes” on a connected northern parcel at Ridgeway Avenue and Fourth Street East.

In the plan's current iteration, that would include 14,000 square feet of ground floor retail space and 10,000 square feet of outdoor public plaza added to the Moodyville neighbourhood.

TransLink, which owns the lands, said its vision is to create a walkable neighbourhood hub with “animated ground floor retail, vibrant outdoor public plaza space, and secured rental housing.”

“Not only will the development deliver more housing and vibrant public spaces for the community, but it is also situated next to TransLink’s R2 RapidBus route, seamlessly connecting people to the Lonsdale Quay SeaBus Terminal and beyond,” the transit authority said.

“The development proposal is conceptual, and the design will continue to be defined with input from key stakeholders and community feedback,” a spokesperson said by email. “TransLink will have a clearer timeline for development once the project is approved and a development partner is brought on board.”

Public engagement kicks off late January

Public engagement for the project will kick off at the end of the month, with a developer information session Jan. 30 in the Shoreline Room of John Braithwaite Community Centre, 6 to 8 p.m.

The proposed development is part of TransLink’s real estate development program, which aims to build communities near transit hubs while generating non-tax revenue to be re-invested in Metro Vancouver transit services.

After TransLink decommissioned the bus depot in 2016, the site has been home to a National Car Rental location as well as two car dealerships.

Last summer, the transit authority said it was undertaking initial consultation to redevelop the site into housing.

Anyone with questions or comments about the project can email [email protected].

[email protected]
twitter.com/nick_laba
@nicklaba.bsky.social‬