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Future of businesses murky as mega-tower pitched at former site of Metrotown Cactus Club

Several businesses are still operating at the development site.
cactus club development
The site of the former Cactus Club on Kingsway is planned for a tower.

One of Burnaby’s most valuable properties has been proposed as the site of a new mega-residential tower with commercial and office space.

It’s located on the former site of Cactus Club on Kingsway across the street from Metropolis at Metrotown shopping mall. Cactus Club moved across the street to the Station Square shopping district.

The proposed development, by big developer Anthem, is for a single 66-storey high-rise tower providing a total of 645 residential dwelling units. This includes 372 market strata units, 200 market rental units, and 73 non-market rental units. There will also be commercial space that will include a restaurant. There will also be multiple levels of office space on the property.

While the Cactus Club is gone, there are multiple small businesses located in the area, including restaurants, that are still operating on the property, which stretches along 4653, 4669, 4673 Kingsway and 4638, 4646, 4654, 4662, 4670 Hazel Street. 

“The inclusionary rental obligation for the site exceeds 20% of the market units provided through the RM5s density, excluding the units derived from offset density,” says a staff report. “The residential tower proposed to be set above a nine-storey commercial component, with a seven-storey office podium atop a double-height ground floor restaurant and cafe space. The tower offers a shared commercial and residential (market and non-market) lobby on Kingsway and a residential (market and non-market) lobby accessed from the lane. All parking is provided underground and vehicular access is taken from Hazel Street. All loading and solid waste access is taken from the proposed north-south lane.”

The project also has big plans for amenities for residents.

“Shared residential amenities include a lobby, mail room, dog wash room, and bike repair facilities. The shared rental amenities on level 10 provides residents with a gym, family play room, lounge, co-working space, and media centre. The outdoor rental amenity deck provides a fitness area, BBQ space and fire pits and a children's play area. The amenity offer for strata residents on levels 32 and 33 incorporates an indoor lounge space, fitness area, yoga mezzanine, guest suite, and family room as well as an outdoor terrace that holds a BBQ and dining area, fireplace, bar and lounge and a children's play area.”

A public hearing is expected to be held at the end of July.