Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Construction is underway on a 64-unit, six-storey mid-rise apartment complex that will feature rental units in a sleek, contemporary building at 45700 Spadina Avenue in downtown Chilliwack. Liana Wiebe, communications manager for the City of Chilliwack, advised Fraser Valley Today in an email dated Friday, December 15 that a building permit has been issued for a 64-unit apartment building at 45700 Spadina Avenue, near Mary Street.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

More housing coming to Chilliwack

Construction underway for 64-unit, 6-storey rental apartment building on Spadina Ave. in downtown Chilliwack

Dec 19, 2023 | 8:46 AM

CHILLIWACK — Construction is underway on a 64-unit, six-storey mid-rise apartment complex that will feature rental units in a sleek, contemporary building at 45700 Spadina Avenue in downtown Chilliwack.

Liana Wiebe, communications manager for the City of Chilliwack, advised Fraser Valley Today in an email dated Friday, December 15 that a building permit has been issued for a 64-unit apartment building near Spadina Avenue and Mary Street.

“The property was rezoned and development and development variance permits were approved by Council in September 2023,” Wiebe confirmed in an email.

Of the 64 rental units, 48 will be considered small units, or 75 per cent of the building.

According to a description of the complex on the website of the builder, Karvin Developments, the building known as The Encore will feature:

Economic News

B.C. minimum wage to increase Sunday but Fraser Valley Ag workers will have to wait

A few moments ago

Bell announces plans to open six AI data centres in B.C. as part of Bell AI Fabric

3h ago

Warm summer in the forecast as droughts and wildfire risks loom: Weather Network

6h ago

• Spacious sheltered porches​
• Protected underground parking with plenty of additional parking space
• All public areas protected with security cameras
• Handicap accessible
• Sleek modern design
  Image: Luteyn Architecture via Karvin Developments / Renderings of The Encore at 45700 Spadina Avenue as shown on the Karvin Developments website.

Karvin Developments has built several projects in Chilliwack, including the recent construction of Edward Street apartments between the Birchwood care home and Rosewood apartment building, along with Corbould Street apartments, Strathcona custom specification homes, and Berkeley, Centennial and Charlotte Place custom developments.

Back in July 2023, the project applicant, Luteyn Architecture, had asked for an amendment to the Official Community Plan designation of a portion of the subject property to facilitate construction of a 6-storey apartment building. According to a staff report from city planner Stella Xiao, the proposed amendment was considered appropriate in this instance as it reflected the scale of apartment development within the surrounding area, specifically to the east of the site. In addition, as the applicant has agreed to register a restrictive covenant to require all units within the development to be maintained as rental housing for a minimum term of 10 years, the development will be considered as affordable housing, Xiao stated, thereby aligning with city goals to provide a diverse range of housing options for current and future residents within the community.

The Encore will have similar massing and design to existing apartment developments on the east, west, and south sides of the subject property at 45700 Spadina Avenue. As such, the proposal remains consistent with the redevelopment trend in the area and respects the overall character of the neighbourhood, Xiao wrote in her city staff report.

“Overall, the proposed development is a high-quality addition to the area,” Xiao wrote in her city staff report. “The design of the building and site is visually appealing and will be architecturally consistent with the existing residential developments within the surrounding area.”

A Google Maps image from October 2020 shows four homes that once occupied the location of the parcel of land where the 64-unit complex will be built.

Image: Google Maps / A Google Maps image from October 2020 shows homes that once occupied the 45700 Spadina Avenue. These four homes have been removed to make way for a 64-unit, 6-storey apartment building that will feature rentals in a sleek, contemporary building.