Sears at Metrotown intends to become more than a department store

Cranes might be a long-term addition to Metrotown's skyline with yet another big rezoning development being pursued, this time by Sears Canada Inc.

Sears has applied to Burnaby council for a rezoning amendment, which seeks to make a stark transformation at its Metrotown department store, with five mixed-use, high-density residential towers on a podium of commercial-retail space and two office towers.

"Sears is committed to working with the City of Burnaby staff in determining the appropriate neighbourhood needs, and to designing an iconic mixed-use development, appropriate for this important gateway location," said Stephen Champion, vice-president of real estate for Sears Canada, in a letter of intent to council.

The preliminary conceptual master plan consists of a new flagship department store for Sears, high density residential and office towers above a commercial-retail podium, and public realm improvements, including public plaza areas along Kingsway and Nelson Avenue, as well as internal plazas.

The plazas are expected to be part of the redevelopment proposal moving forward, which will be characterized by urban elements such as public art, seating areas and special paving.

"Such plaza areas could potentially be programmed for a variety of active and passive daytime and night-time uses through the year," the report states.

The 8.9-acre site redevelopment aims to include provisions to support greater pedestrian and bicycle access that extend from Kingsway and south to Central Boulevard, with links to SkyTrain and the bus loop, according to a city report.

"This corridor should be enhanced as a stronger primary pedestrian promenade, in keeping with the notion that pedestrians should not be treated secondary to vehicles," the report states. "In order to achieve this objective, pedestrian and vehicular corridors within the subject redevelopment site will be designed in consideration of its eventual extension and connection to Central Boulevard, with the potential future redevelopment of the adjacent Metropolis at Metrotown site."

The Kingsway access and frontage will be designated as the main gateway into the Metrotown core and the redevelopment "should be highly animated," according to the report.

The development's timeline will be done in phases, but a date has yet to be given.

"Sears believes that it's owned site at Metropolis at Metrotown, which currently consists of a Sears Full Line Store and parking, is well positioned to set the benchmark for mixed-use developments in Vancouver," Champion states in his letter. "The project will be planned and constructed in stages responding to market demand as well as the physical accommodation of structures on site."

The site is designated for high-density, mixed-use redevelopment and the residential uses are considered to be supportable, according to the planning and building department.

"There is an expectation that a strong commercial presence along Kingsway be solidified at grade levels with a full range of urban facilities and uses, including office, retail commercial, civic, institutional, entertainment and open space," the report states.

Another expectation is that the proposed office and commercial floor space will balance out with jobs and housing.

Burnaby council approved the report recommendation to allow staff to work with Sears on a more detailed plan, which will go to public hearing at a future date.