The Heather Lands project became the largest Indigenous-led redevelopment to advance in Vancouver after City Council approved the rezoning of the site at a public hearing on May 24.

A joint venture partnership between the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)—collectively the MST Nations—and Canada Lands Company (CLC), the Heather Lands redevelopment will become a unique place that integrates with the surrounding neighbourhood and provides housing, shops and services, job space, parks, childcare, and a xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ cultural centre to support the new community.

“This project is a significant milestone and will be a benchmark for the City’s efforts toward Reconciliation,” said Mayor Kennedy Stewart. “It represents an important opportunity for the long-term prosperity of future generations of the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ Peoples, and also addresses key City priorities including housing affordability and the climate emergency.”

The Heather Lands will be a primarily residential community, anchored by a ‘drum beat / heart’ at the north end of the site which includes the cultural centre and plaza, and a childcare facility, along with a park network. It will also provide new job and retail space close to housing in a location near transit routes.

When fully built out, the Heather Lands will include:

Buildings ranging in height from 3- to 28-storeys, with:

  • 540 units of social housing
  • 400 units of market rental housing with 25% of the floor area at below market rent rates
  • 1,670 leasehold strata-titled units
  • 74-space childcare facility operated by the MST Nations
  • commercial space, including office uses

The site will also include:

  • 4.4 acres of park and public open space
  • a xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ cultural centre
  • a site for a Conseil Scholair Francophone (“CSF”) French language school and associated childcare facility
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Featured image: Heather Lands rezoning design at 4949-5255 Heather Street, Vancouver. (DIALOG/Canada Lands Company/MST)

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