Image: Kenneth Chan / Daily Hive
A new mixed-use residential tower in downtown Vancouver opened last week to provide low-income residents with 162 new units of affordable housing.
New Jubilee House, located at the intersection of Helmcken and Richards streets, replaces the existing Jubilee House right across the street. Although controversial, to the extent that Yaletown residents sued the City of Vancouver, the project was made possible by a land swap that would turn the existing 1986-built building site next to Emery Barnes Park into 8X ON THE PARK, a 35-storey market residential tower development.
The new housing complex consists of 116 studios and 46 one-bedroom units, of which 87 units have been designated for existing at-risk seniors that live in the old building and 75 units for low-end market housing. Residential amenities at this building include a communal library, lounge, computer room, communal kitchen, and rooftop garden, with spaces enhanced by programming to encourage friendships and connections between residents.