Project Description:

Located in the Lower Lonsdale area of North Vancouver, within walking distance of the public market, seabus to downtown Vancouver, restaurants, parks, schools, and other services.

The community is comprised of 19 residential units, a 2500 sq. ft. Common House and a 650 sq. ft. commercial space. The units are of mixed sizes and types with bachelor, 1 and 2 bedroom flats, as well as 2 and 3 bedroom townhouse units.

There are four homes that were sold, and one rental unit which was retained by the community, that qualify as affordable as defined by BC Housing in the Homes BC publication Non-Profit Development Guidelines. There were certain requirements to qualify to purchase or rent these units. The rental home was built as a Universally Accessible unit and all common areas are wheel chair accessible.

Many environmentally sustainable elements were incorporated into the design including recycled building materials (reuse of materials from the homes that were originally on the site), greywater recycling system, and comprehensive construction recycling.

The site is very compact at less than 1/4 of an acre. Townhouses with ground level entries serve the needs of the families with children. A common courtyard connecting to the common house provides child friendly play areas in this dense urban community.

Apartment style homes on the upper floors have spectacular views of the mountains, Burrard Inlet and downtown Vancouver.

The common area includes a rooftop deck and meditation room on the third floor, providing all residents with access to the inspiring views.

Quayside ground floor layout

Even in this compact location the community gardens produce summer and winter fruits, vegetables and herbs such as spinach, swiss chard, mustard, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, arugula, potatoes, parsley, chives, garlic, snap peas, beans, rhubarb, strawberries, blueberries, apples, lavender, echinacea, fennel and bergamot! (Quayside has some wonderful gardeners.)

Services Provided

CDC provided cohousing development & community building services from 1996 to completion.

Completed July 1998

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