Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) is facing another wave of redevelopment as a trio of developers—Westbank, Promerita Group, and BC Housing—propose a project along East Hastings Street. The ambitious plan envisions three towering highrises aimed at transforming an industrial stretch into a mixed-use community. The East Village project promises to provide nearly 1,000 residential units, including much-needed social housing. But while some see this as a necessary intervention, others argue that it risks disrupting the neighbourhood’s character and putting undue strain on the already fragile infrastructure.
A Bold Plan for a Changing Neighbourhood
The East Village proposal includes two towering rental buildings, standing at 38 and 39 storeys, alongside a 19-storey social housing building. Set along a three-block area of East Hastings Street between Raymur Avenue and Vernon Drive, the development would create 924 units in total, with a significant portion dedicated to social and affordable housing.
This redevelopment is part of the city’s larger Downtown Eastside Area Plan, a blueprint intended to guide urban renewal in one of Vancouver’s most historically vulnerable areas. While market highrises are typically restricted in the DTES, exceptions have been made for this particular strip of East Hastings. Initially zoned for 12-storey buildings, the city council has since raised the cap to 18 storeys in certain areas, allowing for the construction of the massive towers proposed in the East Village project.
The social housing tower, dubbed East 3, will be developed through BC Housing’s BC Builds program, with interim construction financing provided by the province. This building alone will offer 157 seniors housing units, including 36 single-room occupancy (SRO) replacements, aimed at addressing the housing needs of some of the most marginalized members of the DTES community. A third of the units will be offered at shelter rates, another third at Housing Income Limits (HIL), and the final portion at low-end market rates.
Community Benefits or Urban Gentrification?
On paper, the East Village project sounds like a much-needed boost to the city’s affordable housing stock. However, the proposal has sparked significant debate, with local residents and urban planners questioning whether this scale of development is appropriate for the area.
One of the major concerns is that the highrises are completely out of sync with the existing neighbourhood, both in terms of size and infrastructure. The DTES has long been known for its low-income housing, historic buildings, and industrial sites. Introducing towering skyscrapers into this mix has raised fears of gentrification, pushing out long-time residents and altering the social fabric of the area.
Moreover, the project’s location on East Hastings—a notoriously busy street with limited parking and industrial zoning—has led some to worry about the strain on local infrastructure. While the development does include 288 bicycle parking spaces, it offers just five vehicle parking spots, a move that could exacerbate traffic and accessibility issues in an already congested part of town.
A Neighbourhood in Flux
The DTES has long been at the centre of Vancouver’s social and economic challenges. For decades, this area has been synonymous with homelessness, addiction, and poverty. The neighbourhood’s SROs have housed some of the city’s most vulnerable populations, while its proximity to services like Insite—the country’s first supervised injection site—has made it a focal point for harm-reduction efforts.
However, redevelopment plans like the East Village project hint at a larger transformation. Some see these changes as a necessary evolution for a neighbourhood that has struggled for too long with neglect and disrepair. With affordable housing desperately needed in Vancouver, projects like this one can offer a lifeline to low-income residents who are otherwise priced out of the market.
At the same time, these developments can feel like a double-edged sword. The introduction of high-end market rentals next to social housing units creates a glaring contrast—one that many residents fear could further marginalize the DTES community. The influx of wealthier tenants may drive up the cost of living, pushing out the very people these social programs aim to help.
A New Skyline?
The East Village project is just one of several major developments planned for East Hastings. The Westbank/Promerita Group’s pamphlet outlining the redevelopment plan includes illustrations of potential future towers, raising the possibility that this area could soon become home to multiple highrises. For a neighbourhood that has long been defined by low-rise buildings and a gritty, industrial vibe, this represents a dramatic shift in the urban landscape.
Many are asking whether it’s wise to concentrate so much density in an area that lacks the infrastructure to support it. The site of the proposed East 3 tower, for example, has been vacant since 1973, when a fire at a rooming house claimed the lives of three residents. Since then, little has changed on this stretch of East Hastings, aside from a few small-scale retail shops and an aging SRO.
While the city’s desire to rejuvenate this long-neglected part of town is understandable, the rapid scale of development raises concerns about the long-term viability of such projects. Are we building a future that will benefit all residents of the DTES, or are we creating a neighbourhood divided between the haves and the have-nots?
Balancing Growth and Preservation
As the East Village project moves forward, it’s clear that the city faces a delicate balancing act. On one hand, there is an undeniable need for more affordable housing in Vancouver, and projects like this one offer an opportunity to provide it. On the other hand, the scale and scope of the development could fundamentally alter the character of the DTES, displacing vulnerable residents and erasing the history of a neighbourhood that has long been a refuge for those on the margins.
The key to successful redevelopment lies in finding a way to balance growth with preservation. Ensuring that local residents have a say in how their neighbourhood is shaped will be critical to maintaining the DTES’s unique identity while addressing the pressing need for housing. As Vancouver’s skyline continues to rise, so too must our commitment to building a city that is inclusive, equitable, and supportive of all its citizens.
Denise is a long-time advocate for affordable and dignified housing in the Downtown Eastside. Having lived in SROs and volunteered in homeless shelters, she brings a personal understanding of the housing crisis and its impact on the community. Her work reflects years of lived experience, frontline work, and commitment to creating better living conditions for DTES residents.
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