After decades of stagnation, one of Vancouver’s last undeveloped waterfront plots is finally set to transform. Terry Hui, CEO of Concord Pacific, Canada’s largest community builder, has unveiled plans for Concord Landing, an ambitious redevelopment of the Northeast False Creek shoreline that will introduce thousands of new homes, public spaces, and pedestrian-friendly streets. The project promises to redefine a long-overlooked part of the city and establish a vibrant, modern waterfront district.
For years, the vacant 10-acre site between False Creek and downtown Vancouver has been little more than an expanse of parking lots, occasionally hosting events like Cirque du Soleil. The land, which was once part of the 1986 Expo fairgrounds, has remained undeveloped mostly due to regulatory challenges, including the existence of the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts and strict view cone policies limiting building heights.
However, recent policy shifts have removed many of these obstacles. The Vancouver City Council approved the demolition of the viaducts in 2015, and in July 2024, the city relaxed its protected mountain view cone policies, paving the way for higher-density development. With these regulatory hurdles addressed, Concord Pacific is now moving forward with its vision for Concord Landing, a project described by the developer’s senior vice-president, Peter Webb, as “a comprehensive and ambitious vision that integrates local and global elements of urban design.”
Concord Landing will feature twelve visually striking buildings, including mid-rise podiums and towers ranging from 40 to 65 storeys. The project’s signature “Gateway” twin towers are set to redefine Vancouver’s skyline. In total, the development will add 5,000 new homes, with a mix of market condominiums, purpose-built rentals, and affordable housing units.
Beyond housing, Concord Landing will incorporate 220,000 square feet of commercial space, including a retail village designed to support over 50 small businesses, restaurants, and cafes. The development will emphasize pedestrian-friendly streets, public plazas, and waterfront dining experiences, ensuring it becomes a destination for both residents and visitors.
Inspired by the picturesque Italian fishing village of Portofino, Concord Landing will feature stacked housing receding from a walkable shoreline. The site’s design prioritizes open spaces and connectivity, incorporating a three-kilometer stretch of Vancouver’s famous seawall and completing the city’s world-renowned waterfront pathway.
The project will include a new marina and three floating pavilions serving as hubs for major public events such as the Dragon Boat Festival, Tour de Concord, and Vancouver Pride. The development will also introduce convertible playing fields, child play spaces, and tidal waterfront areas, reinforcing the community’s focus on outdoor recreation and urban livability.
The removal of the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts is critical to the success of the project, as the elevated roadways currently sever downtown from the waterfront. Vancouver city officials have long planned to replace them with a more integrated road network that prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists while improving overall traffic flow.
Concord Pacific has contributed $110 million toward the demolition, with an additional $100 million from Metropolitan Properties. These contributions cover about half of the estimated cost, but city officials still face challenges securing full funding for the project.
With the rezoning process expected to take two to three years and viaduct demolition to follow, construction on Concord Landing is still some time away. However, as the momentum builds, the transformation of North False Creek appears inevitable.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine False Creek’s waterfront,” said Concord Pacific CEO Terry Hui. “This neighborhood is going to be transformational for Vancouver. We’re turning what has long been an underdeveloped part of downtown into one of the most vibrant waterfront districts in the city.”
Concord Landing will join the existing Concord Pacific Place development, also on the shore of North False Creek, as a model of modern urban living, seamlessly blending residential, commercial, and public spaces while setting a new standard for waterfront development in Vancouver. With its mix of housing options, walkable streets, and eclectic shops and restaurants, the neighborhood will become an integral part of Vancouver’s urban landscape.
