601 W Cordova St - formerly 555 W Cordova St (DP-2025-00916) preliminary development application

James KM Cheng Architects has applied to the City of Vancouver for a preliminary development application for alterations to the staging and storage area located in the below grades structure of the existing heritage building, and to develop a 22-storey building, consisting of:

• Retail use at grade and General Office use from levels 2 to 22
• A proposed FSR of 7.05
• A combined total proposed Floor Area of 580,617 sq.ft. (53,941 m²), including newly proposed Floor Area of 417,016 sq.ft. (38,742 m²)
• A proposed Height of 416 ft. (127 m)
• A public plaza

Under the site’s existing DD zoning, the application is “conditional” so it may be permitted. However, it requires the decision of the Development Permit Board.

What is a Preliminary Development Application?

In Vancouver, a Preliminary Development Application is an early, non‑final review in the City’s development approval process for larger or more complex projects. It does not grant permission to build. Instead, it establishes whether the overall concept and massing of a project is supportable.