1766 Frances Street - M'akola Development Services

Progress 50%

25%

50%

75%

100%

LOCATION
Vancouver, BC

CLIENT
Vancouver Native Housing Society

DESIGN / CONSTRUCTION
2016 – Ongoing

CULTURAL & COMMUNITY IMPACT
Culturally appropriate residential building that fulfills VNHS’ mission of providing safe, secure and affordable housing for Vancouver’s urban Indigenous population

POINTS OF INTEREST
On-site community amenities include: a daycare and community garden

M’akola Development Services (MDS) is working as a development consultant for Vancouver Native Housing Society (VNHS) for the design and construction of an Indigenous focused housing project for singles and families in Vancouver, BC.

The project entails a redevelopment of an existing three-storey building, which previously offered 27 affordable rental suites for urban Indigenous singles and families before being irreparably damaged by fire in December 2017.

The proposed redevelopment will be designed to enhance the density, efficiency and cultural value of housing on the site through a Passive House, Mass Timber, cedar basket-inspired apartment building consisting of 81 affordable rental units across 9 storeys, with a mix of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom layouts. This development concept will support the City’s sustainability goals, provide a striking visual reminder of the historic cultural practices of the Indigenous peoples who have called these lands home, and ensure the project will have the greatest impact on providing the quality affordable housing so desperately needed by the city’s Indigenous community.

MDS has been working closely with the Society to refine its robust tenant relocation plan and regularly check-in and consult with tenants to ensure that the redevelopment process continues to meet their needs so that they can be welcomed back into the new affordable homes at 1766 Frances. The redevelopment plan includes culturally appropriate housing as well as on-site Indigenous-focused childcare for the growing urban Indigenous community, which M’akola has played an important role in planning and coordinating design and funding for.

MDS Services