Journal of Commerce

A publicly-owned project that is not only on budget but is running four weeks ahead of schedule? How odd is that? Odd or not it is the case when it comes to the mammoth redevelopment of the old Woodward’s property on Vancouver’s downtown eastside. Lead architect for the development is Gregory Henriquez of Henriquez Partners, a long-time Vancouver firm. On April 25 he spoke to a meeting of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) and brought members up to date. It is generally agreed by developers and planners alike that the Woodward’s project goes far beyond the range of just another city development. Keith Sashaw, president of the VRCA summed it up by saying “the project is changing the face of Vancouver”. Henriquez says, “Woodward’s was always somehow different from a normal department store. It was part of Vancouver.”