Project
Project Details
- 10.5 Acres
- 4,000,000 sf
- 6,000+ Rental homes
- 1,200+ Affordable homes
- 4 Phases of construction
- Largest net-zero operational carbon residential project in Canada
- The largest CMHC funded Indigenous led development project in Canadian History.
- Historic architectural, cultural, artistic, construction, and entrepreneurial opportunities for the Sḵw̱xwú7mesh Úxwumixw
- Partnership between the Sḵw̱xwú7mesh Úxwumixw, Nch'ḵaỷ Development Corporation, and Westbank – under the partnership name Nch'ḵaỷ West
Design
Inspired by the traditional oral storytelling and values of the Sḵwx̱&wú7mesh Úx̱wumix̱w, a deep embrace of nature — the mountains, forest and water and craftwork traditions of carving and weaving — was the emergence of two distinct building typologies whose paths seamlessly converge at the foot of the Burrard Street Bridge.
The Mountain Towers in Phase 1 are organic and free-form with balconies inspired by Coast Salish crescent and trigon motifs. The rooftops ascend to the North ex̱alting the Twin Sisters mountains.
The Long Towers in Phase 2 are inspired by rectilinear longhouses that once stood in the village with rippling screens rising through the glazed facade like salmon leaping and twisting in a stream.
The ‘coming together’ of these two diverse, yet characteristically similar, typologies endorses an urban dialogue with a broader vision of reconciliation. With the same spirit, the design recognizes the site’s historic roots while celebrating the path to its future.
Phasing Information
Public Space
Senáḵw is envisioned with a re-imagined ‘Towers in the Park’ approach. Bright, open courtyards, liberated ground plane, rich and vibrant multi-tiered landscape for social spaces, commercial and recreational activity, and artistic interventions that seek to enrich the natural and cultural contexts of the site.
Transit
While the current transportation infrastructure prioritizes the north-south arterial axis, the new density from Senáḵw presents the possibility of improving transverse connectivity through the revitalization of the streetcar line, upgraded aqua bus and ferry services, and enhanced cycling options.
This vision for a more comprehensive, sustainable, and integrated multi-modal transportation network provides significant opportunities to bolster economic and cultural growth in the region.
Sustainability
District Energy
Senáḵw will be Canada's first large-scale net-zero carbon housing development — and one of only a few in the world. With aspirations to be 100% greenhouse gas-free, all of Senáḵw’s heating and cooling will be produced by a new 10MW district energy system fed by waste heat from Metro Vancouver's adjacent sewer infrastructure.
In partnership with Creative Energy, the district energy system is expected to eliminate 120,000 tonnes of GHG emissions over 30 years compared to natural gas heating — the equivalent of 2.2M tree seedlings grown for 10 years.
The system is designed with capacity to expand over time, to accommodate plans to serve neighbouring buildings and interconnect with Creative Energy's downtown Vancouver network.
Learn more about Creative Energy and Senáḵw at creative.energy/projects/senakw
Construction Updates
Phase one construction has been underway since our groundbreaking ceremony in September 2022. With construction of the first three towers reaching their top floors in Spring 2025, we are well on our way to welcoming residents home to Tower 1.
