The Gastown Residents community gathered on November 17 to meet with representatives from Holborn Developments regarding the proposed social housing tower at 388 Abbott Street. The discussion focused on understanding the scope of the project, its contribution to the city, and its potential impact on the neighbourhood.
Holborn presented a high-level overview of their plan for a 38-storey social housing tower, which includes non-market housing, a childcare centre, an Indigenous art gallery, and artist-in-residence units representing the three local First Nations. The project—along with the land—would be donated to the City of Vancouver as part of Holborn’s broader redevelopment plans.
Residents shared thoughtful feedback, raising concerns about the lack of clarity around the definition of “social housing,” potential impacts on neighbourhood safety, and the risks associated with concentrating non-market housing in a single location. Suggestions included adopting a mixed-income model, distributing affordable housing across Holborn’s upcoming towers, and ensuring the building’s scale and design remain compatible with Gastown’s historic character. Residents also recommended expanding the Community Amenity Contribution to include additional green space and publicly accessible outdoor areas.
Next Steps
Holborn has committed to providing more detailed information on the housing model, tenant profile, and operational plan. Additional consultation sessions will be scheduled, and residents emphasised the importance of continued communication throughout the process.
For those unable to attend the meeting, please share your thoughts using the feedback form linked here.