Vanprop has owned Lansdowne since 1984. Why develop now?

Lansdowne, like any mall, must continue to evolve. Vanprop is very proud of the performance of Lansdowne as an asset, and as it has done for almost 40 years, it is investing in the future of the mall. This includes an expanded vision to bring greater benefit to the community through the addition of much-needed housing and a more diverse commercial offering.

What are your plans for the site?

Richmond’s City Centre Area Plan (CCAP) envisions a vibrant, mixed-use community, consisting of retail, commercial services, a mix of housing, a major park, and a variety of amenities intended to enhance and enliven Lansdowne and the wider community. Working within that context, and the CCAP objectives to “Build Community, Build Green, Build Economic Vitality and Build Legacy,” Vanprop has developed a Master Plan that we hope will, indeed, serve the community of Richmond, enhance the environment, strengthen the economy and create a lasting legacy.

How will the site be developed?

We have engaged local professionals in urban planning, transportation engineering, landscape design, urban design, community engagement and other disciplines, and all are working closely with the City of Richmond to design a plan that aligns with the municipal ambition to create a special place in the heart of Richmond’s downtown.

We have benefitted from the extensive community engagement that contributed so much to the City Centre Area Plan and we will continue to build upon this foundation. Over the past few years, Vanprop and its design team have worked with City staff to ensure the Master Plan will contribute to Richmond’s overarching goals to

1.     Build Green

2.    Build Economic Vitality

3.     Build Legacy

Are you providing more housing for Richmond?

The redevelopment of Lansdowne will see the delivery of approximately 4,500 new homes for Richmond residents, including affordable housing, rental housing and market housing.

What community amenity contributions will be incorporated into the site?

In the current plan, a five-acre park, visible from Lansdowne Road, animates the centre of the site, while a grand civic plaza is imagined adjacent to the Lansdowne Canada Line Station. In conjunction with numerous greenways, cycling paths and other park spaces, this will create almost 10 acres of new public amenity. Iconic architecture and robust programming will ensure this is a vibrant and welcoming community.

Will there be greenspace for people of all ages?

The Lansdowne Master Plan brings with it a large Centre Park suitable for public events and festivals, a Civic Plaza adjacent the Lansdowne Canada Line station that will be programmed with activities year-round, and public greenways will provide access to and through the community for all.

When will you break ground?

Our construction schedule relates directly to the City of Richmond’s land-use approval process. As a large development (50 acres/20 hectares), our Master Plan received approval to amend the Official Community Plan from Council in March 2021. We will begin seeking rezoning and development approvals that could enable ground-breaking on the first residential project by 2025 – with subsequent phases rolling out over a period of years.

What are your initial plans for the property?

First, we intend to keep the shopping centre fully operational in the early phases during initial redevelopment, and will be gradually replaced in later phases of the project to make way for additional housing, retail and public spaces. The site is large enough for a phased development that easily accommodates a fully functional shopping centre for many years. Any decisions about future shopping centre operations will be carefully thought through with utmost consideration for our tenants, clients and customers.

With that priority in place, we then plan to begin building the components that will give expression to the Richmond City Centre Area Plan visions of a vibrant, mixed-use community, including a mix of housing, a major park, retail, commercial space, and rich public amenities.

We are also conscious that the Lansdowne Canada Line Station makes this a vital neighbourhood hub, and we plan to develop the property in a way that maximizes its convenience, its efficiency and its potential as a walkable neighbourhood with little or no dependence on cars.

It is also important for Lansdowne to serve as a “connection” to other key attractions in the area, including, but not limited to, the Richmond Oval, Kwantlen University, the Garden City Lands, the Fraser River, and existing businesses and residential neighbourhoods.

Where are we in the process?

We have finalized the Master Land Use Plan and Implementation Strategy and we received approval of the OCP Amendment from City Council in March 2021. In 2023 Phase 1 of the site was submitted for rezoning. Click here to learn more.

A rezoning application has been submitted for the Phase 1 development which would launch revitalization of this important destination, to create an inclusive, amenity-rich community with retail, entertainment, culinary, public spaces, and new housing, including rental and below-market rental, all close to public transit.

Where can I learn more about the project?

We will provide regular updates on our website, and will maintain a physical presence in Lansdowne Centre as plans evolve. Please contact us at: admin@vanpropinvestments.com if you have any questions or comments, or want to be added to our information update list.

Who is VanProp?

Vanprop is a privately-owned company that has owned Lansdowne Centre for nearly 40 years, having purchased it from the Woodward family in 1984. Click here to learn more.