The $400-million redevelopment by Michael De Cotiis will extend from Lonsdale east to the Versatile Shipyards in North Vancouver. CREDIT: Peter Battistoni, Vancouver Sun

More than two years of planning and design work have culminated in the start of construction on a massive $400-million redevelopment of North Vancouver‘s waterfront east of Lonsdale Quay for residential and commercial uses.

The revitalization of the historic, 5.2 hectare (12.9 acres) Versatile Pacific and Burrard Shipyards site represents one of the most significant waterfront revivals in the Lower Mainland, North Vancouver city Mayor Barbara Sharp said Monday.

She wants to see the project fast-tracked and finished in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The project, undertaken by Vancouver-based Pinnacle International, calls for creation of various amenities and infrastructure, including a maritime museum, pedestrian bridges and walkways, and refurbishment of a 213-metre (700 feet) shipyard pier, providing public access to that particular area of the North Shore waterfront for the first time in a century.

“This is like a reclaiming of the waterfront for the people who live here,” Sharp said in an interview. “The whole development will become a real legacy for the City of North Vancouver.

“It’s about sustainability, a combination of social, economic and environmental aspects.

“We want the entire project finished in time for the 2010 Olympics.”

Pinnacle’s project, called The Pier, totals 1.16 million square feet, and is to include:

* Eight condominium towers, ranging up to 23 storeys, comprising about 1,000 residential units.

* One seven-storey, 110-room “boutique-style” hotel, with retail outlets and 20,000 square feet of convention and conference space.

* A five-storey, 50,000-square-foot office building.

* About 65,000 square feet of retail shops, restaurants and galleries.

* More than 20,000 square feet of recreation and clubhouse facilities.

* More than one kilometre of public walkways, waterfront, pedestrian bridges and piers, plus large dedicated public plazas and open space.

* A heritage precinct with four historic shipyard buildings restored and revitalized with restaurants and shops. The largest heritage building, called The Machine Shop, will be given to the city for use as a public amenity to highlight its colourful history and other facets of the community, including local industry’s leadership in underwater technology and design.

The precinct approved by the city will celebrate the history of shipbuilding in North Vancouver, particularly during the Second World War, when more than 2,000 people, including hundreds of women, worked there in a massive shipbuilding effort.

The restoration of the pier — which will be able to accommodate at least tall ships and naval frigates — will transform it into a public promenade, complete with lighting, seating, integrated art and historic artifacts.

“As a working shipyard, this property made a significant contribution to the heritage and history of North Vancouver,” said developer Michael De Cotiis, president of his privately held Pinnacle International.

“The Pier redevelopment is destined to become one of the community’s proudest and most dynamic destinations, and by later this spring, we can all look forward to the waterfront walkway and piers being accessible to the public for the first time in 100 years.”

Once the public amenities are completed during the project’s first phase, Pinnacle plans to begin construction and realignment of the East Esplanade streetscape.

The roadway is to be improved to include new parking spots, bicycle lanes, sidewalks and landscaping. Water and sewer lines will also be upgraded, while hydro and telephone lines are placed underground.

Over the next half-dozen years, De Cotiis expects the various phases to create about 500 new jobs.

“The former shipyard will become a vibrant and exciting focal point for the community,” he said. “After the project is finished, it will become a tourist attraction to complement Lonsdale Quay.”

Sharp said she is especially enthusiastic about Pinnacle’s planned creation of convention space that she says is currently non-existent in North Vancouver.

“That’s a real boom for the economy as well,” the mayor said.

Pinnacle’s development manager, Kerry Kukucha, said the 20,000 square feet of convention and conference facilities will include a 5,000-square-foot ballroom, making it the “single largest venue on the North Shore.”

Asked whether the developer will be able to meet Sharp’s desire to see the project completed before 2010, Kukucha said: “The vast majority will be finished by then.”

De Cotiis‘ previous high-profile residential developments include the Marriott Pinnacle Hotel & Residences, the Classico and Venus condo towers, all in downtown Vancouver; the Pinnacle International Hotel and Resort in Whistler; the Perla and Jade in Richmond, and the Bellagio in Toronto.

He is currently building the upscale Pinnacle Museum Tower near the waterfront in San Diego.

© The Vancouver Sun 2004