Port Moody’s first purpose-built rental development in 30 years could be getting a new neighbour — and it’s another rental building.
Tuesday, council will get its first look at a proposal by Vancouver-based developer Anthem Properties Group to construct a six-storey mixed-use project on the corner of St. Johns Street and James Road. The project would comprise 192 market rental apartments along with almost 5,000 sq. ft. of ground floor commercial space.
The building is located right next to the recently completed The Moody, whose 142 apartments were the first purpose-built rentals in the city in 30 years. It sparked several similar projects, including 229 rental units in a complex by PC Urban on Dewdney Trunk Road with another 133 coming in the second phase. Others still before council include a 112- unit mixed-use complex further west along St. Johns and another being pitched Tuesday for Shoreline Circle in the city’s west end.
Anthem’s proposal includes:
- six studio apartments averaging 415 sq. ft. In size
- 40 one-bedroom apartments
- 78 units with one bedroom plus a den
- 35 two-bedroom units
- 11 apartments with two bedrooms plus a den
- 22 three-bedroom units averaging 944 sq. ft. in size
More than half the units would be adaptable. As well, the developer is proposing to construct a partial public pathway connecting James Road and Moray Place to make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to get to Moody Middle School. Completion of the path, though, would be dependent on the redevelopment of adjoining properties to the south along James Road.
An earlier review of the proposal by the city’s advisory design panel offered several suggestions to enhance the project, including an increase of its commercial component to provide more job spaces.
The project will require the rezoning of four properties for it to proceed.
