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65 First Street

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Rendering of mixed-tenure and mixed-income development at 65 First Street. Two-towers are visible on a slope.


Project Update, April 9, 2025: At their regular meeting on April 7, 2025, New Westminster City Council gave three readings to the Zoning Amendment and Housing Agreement Bylaws. A recording of the meeting as well as a copy of the report can be found here.

What's being proposed?

Rezoning and Special Development Permit applications have been received to develop a mixed-tenure, mixed-income development at 65 First Street. This two-tower project is located within Tier 3 of the Columbia Station Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Area. Tower A would be a fully rental building, comprising 299 market rental units and 30 below-market units. Tower B would contain 304 stratified market condo units. The two towers would be connected via an upper level amenity bridge, with both strata and rental townhouses below, facing the project’s street and park frontages.

Though resident parking cannot be required in the Transit Oriented Development area, per Provincial requirements, the application includes 369 resident parking spaces and 32 visitor parking spaces. A total of 1,273 long-term bicycle and 12 short-term bicycle parking spaces would also be provided, exceeding Zoning Bylaw requirements.

Click here to view updated drawings of the proposed development. Drawings were updated following receipt of City feedback and following completion of applicant-led consultation.


How can I engage?

City-led consultation was the last opportunity for the public to provide feedback through the application review process. Revisions to the proposal may be considered based on engagement feedback. The process includes City-led consultation, followed by revisions based on the feedback, and presentation to Council for bylaw consideration.


City-led Consultation

City-led consultation has now concluded. Community members were invited to provide feedback on the proposal through a short survey that was open on this page from January 23 -February 13, 2025. A summary of all received feedback will be included in a staff report submitted to Council prior to their consideration of whether or not to approve the project.

The final staff report to Council included a summary of feedback received during both the applicant-led and City-led consultation processes and feedback submitted directly to staff during the project review process. Click here to read the report, or keep reading below for a summary of input received.

What We Heard

City-led consultation included an online survey, published on this project page. Residents within 100 metres of the project were notified by postcard of the survey, and 14 responses were received.

  • Three respondents felt the development would fit somewhat well into the Downtown neighbourhood, 10 felt it would not fit well, and one was neutral.
  • Concern was expressed regarding potential traffic and parking impacts and building heights.


Applicant-led Engagement

The applicant hosted an in-person open house on November 12, 2024 and a virtual open house on November 13, 2024. An online survey was launched on the applicant’s website on October 28, 2024, and responses were accepted until November 22, 2024. The feedback has been reviewed by staff, and a summary of all received feedback will be included in a staff report submitted to Council prior to their consideration of whether or not to approve the project.

Summary of Applicant-led Engagement

During the applicant-led consultation, respondents indicated support for the proposed mix of rental, condo, and affordable housing units (37.5%), different unit types (e.g., apartment and townhouse) (12.5%), and the potential of the development to add more activity to Albert Crescent Park (12.5%). Mixed feedback was received regarding the project’s proposed design, including concerns regarding proposed tower heights. The majority of community feedback focused on the following:

  • Support for the proposed mix of tenure types;
  • Desire for additional affordable housing units;
  • Mixed feedback regarding landscape and lighting design;
  • Mixed feedback regarding building design, including tower heights; and,
  • Concern regarding the potential impact of additional density on community infrastructure.


Project Update, April 9, 2025: At their regular meeting on April 7, 2025, New Westminster City Council gave three readings to the Zoning Amendment and Housing Agreement Bylaws. A recording of the meeting as well as a copy of the report can be found here.

What's being proposed?

Rezoning and Special Development Permit applications have been received to develop a mixed-tenure, mixed-income development at 65 First Street. This two-tower project is located within Tier 3 of the Columbia Station Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Area. Tower A would be a fully rental building, comprising 299 market rental units and 30 below-market units. Tower B would contain 304 stratified market condo units. The two towers would be connected via an upper level amenity bridge, with both strata and rental townhouses below, facing the project’s street and park frontages.

Though resident parking cannot be required in the Transit Oriented Development area, per Provincial requirements, the application includes 369 resident parking spaces and 32 visitor parking spaces. A total of 1,273 long-term bicycle and 12 short-term bicycle parking spaces would also be provided, exceeding Zoning Bylaw requirements.

Click here to view updated drawings of the proposed development. Drawings were updated following receipt of City feedback and following completion of applicant-led consultation.


How can I engage?

City-led consultation was the last opportunity for the public to provide feedback through the application review process. Revisions to the proposal may be considered based on engagement feedback. The process includes City-led consultation, followed by revisions based on the feedback, and presentation to Council for bylaw consideration.


City-led Consultation

City-led consultation has now concluded. Community members were invited to provide feedback on the proposal through a short survey that was open on this page from January 23 -February 13, 2025. A summary of all received feedback will be included in a staff report submitted to Council prior to their consideration of whether or not to approve the project.

The final staff report to Council included a summary of feedback received during both the applicant-led and City-led consultation processes and feedback submitted directly to staff during the project review process. Click here to read the report, or keep reading below for a summary of input received.

What We Heard

City-led consultation included an online survey, published on this project page. Residents within 100 metres of the project were notified by postcard of the survey, and 14 responses were received.

  • Three respondents felt the development would fit somewhat well into the Downtown neighbourhood, 10 felt it would not fit well, and one was neutral.
  • Concern was expressed regarding potential traffic and parking impacts and building heights.


Applicant-led Engagement

The applicant hosted an in-person open house on November 12, 2024 and a virtual open house on November 13, 2024. An online survey was launched on the applicant’s website on October 28, 2024, and responses were accepted until November 22, 2024. The feedback has been reviewed by staff, and a summary of all received feedback will be included in a staff report submitted to Council prior to their consideration of whether or not to approve the project.

Summary of Applicant-led Engagement

During the applicant-led consultation, respondents indicated support for the proposed mix of rental, condo, and affordable housing units (37.5%), different unit types (e.g., apartment and townhouse) (12.5%), and the potential of the development to add more activity to Albert Crescent Park (12.5%). Mixed feedback was received regarding the project’s proposed design, including concerns regarding proposed tower heights. The majority of community feedback focused on the following:

  • Support for the proposed mix of tenure types;
  • Desire for additional affordable housing units;
  • Mixed feedback regarding landscape and lighting design;
  • Mixed feedback regarding building design, including tower heights; and,
  • Concern regarding the potential impact of additional density on community infrastructure.
Page last updated: 09 Apr 2025, 04:08 PM