Frances Building Redevelopment

The project entails a redevelopment of an existing three-storey building, which previously offered 27 affordable rental suites for urban Indigenous singles and families and is currently under construction.

The redevelopment will be designed to enhance the density, efficiency, and cultural value of housing on the site through a Passive House, Mass Timber, cedar basket-inspired apartment building consisting of 81 affordable rental units across 9 storeys, with a mix of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom layouts. This development will support the City’s sustainability goals, provide a striking visual reminder of the historic cultural practices of the Indigenous peoples who have called these lands home, and ensure the project will have the greatest impact on providing the quality affordable housing so desperately needed by the city’s Indigenous community.

On-site community amenities include a daycare and community garden.

The BCIHS team has worked tirelessly to refine its robust tenant relocation plan and regularly check in and consult with tenants to ensure that the redevelopment process continues to meet their needs so that they can be welcomed back into the new affordable homes at 1766 Frances.