Westbank Project Corp. is set to make yet another huge impact on the Vancouver skyline with a 40-storey tower proposed for 1550 Alberni Street. This will be Japanese architect Kengo Kuma's first major foray into North America with a sleek design that was previewed by neighbourhood residents in June. 

1550 Alberni Street, image courtesy of Westbank

Recently revealed renderings depict a slender tower with large 'carved out' volumes along the lower half of the building on one side and the upper half on the other side. The residential building proposes 188 units, many of which will include large balconies along the hollowed out portions of the building. A mix of glass and anodized aluminum gives the tower's facade a pixelated appearance. On the inside, wood and bamboo will be utilized to give spaces a warm, tropical vibe. At the base of the project, a Japanese moss garden with a water feature and rolling green hills will be enjoyed by residents and passersby. The welcome greenery will be accompanied by retail and a restaurant. 

The Japanese moss garden, image courtesy of Westbank

The site, which was purchased by Westbank for $47 million CAD, currently holds an eight-storey office building. It sits across the street from another major recent proposal at 1500 West Georgia, which would rise across from 1575 West Georgia. The area has been identified by Vancouver's West End Community Plan as a targeted site for growth. A rezoning application will now be submitted to the city as the project makes its way through the approvals process. 

1550 Alberni Street as it looks today, image retrieved from Google Street View

Kengo Kuma also designed a seven-storey twisting structure in Dallas called the Rolex Building which is now under construction. Westbank has already built some of Vancouver's most notable buildings, including Living Shangri-La, the city's tallest tower. Westbank is also partnering with emerging Danish starchitect Bjarke Ingels to build Vancouver House while the mixed-use Telus Garden nears completion. 

Lush landscaping at the base of the building, image courtesy of Westbank

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