The three-storey commercial building that occupied the northwest corner of 4th Street and 12th Avenue SW has now been relegated to the history books, as the now-demolished structure gives way to the first phase of Hines' 500 Block development. Not long after the site was cleared, a shoring rig arrived, signalling the start of construction for the maiden highrise residential tower.

500 Block, image via Hines

Designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz with Kirkor Architects, the 500 Block project includes a 35-storey rental tower with 461 units and a seven-storey podium. Renderings indicate a strip of ground-level retail and a rooftop amenities deck surmounting the rectangular podium structure, which will hold 184 of the apartments. The 277 remaining units will be contained within the 110-metre-tall tower.

The cleared site awaits excavation, image by Forum contributor UrbanWarrior

The northern portion of the site, currently a surface parking lot, is planned to accommodate a second phase. Now conceptual, the plans will be submitted through an amending development permit application at a future date. 

Shoring rig on site, image by Forum contributor UrbanWarrior

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