Acton Ostry Architects

The Independent is a transit-oriented, mixed-use development located in Vancouver’s vibrant Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. A bricolage of jumbled effects reinterprets, celebrates and reflects diverse aspects of the unique context. Building forms are configured into five distinct components, each with a variety of materials, textures and colours. Gaps in the massing provide visual connections to a landscaped courtyard. The triangular tower accentuates the diagonal urban slash of Kingsway. A tree-topped crown symbolizes the height to which old-growth forest once soared, marking the summit of Mount Pleasant in the Vancouver skyline.

project

The Independent

location

Vancouver, BC

client

Rize-Ayala Land (Kingsway) Limited Partnership

completion

2019

size

27,600 m2

Kingsway and 10th Avenue.

Kingsway and 10th Avenue

sustainability

LEED Silver certified

awards & recognition

2021
Grands Prix du Design Residential Silver Award

2019
MIBC Masonry Design Award of Excellence

Main and Broadway.

Main and Broadway

The main themes of the neighborhood are non-conforming, confident, strong-charactered, eccentric, vibrant and full of surprises. The Independent speaks the same language.

Rize Alliance

10th Avenue and Watson Street.

10th Avenue and Watson Street

serrated edge.

serrated edge

Watson Street.

Watson Street

Watson Street.

Watson Street

rainbow canopy.

rainbow canopy

residential entrance.

residential entrance

aerial.

aerial

courtyard.

courtyard

townhomes.

townhomes

townhomes.

townhomes

gap in massing.

gap in massing

terraced townhomes.

terraced townhomes

roof terraces.

roof terraces

The project reflects various aspects of the Mount Pleasant context, street life, materiality and colour, inspired by the diverse range of buildings from different periods and styles that are located throughout the neighbourhood.

Grands Prix du Design Awards