City council is considering a proposal for a massive redevelopment of the historic Sinclair Centre in downtown Vancouver that would increase density and height in order to turn the heritage buildings into one of two federal government office hubs in the Lower Mainland

The proposal would see the centre’s seven-floor federal government office tower climb to as high as 29 storeys, and would likely keep the four-building complex behind scaffolding for many years.

A report from Brian Jackson, general manager of planning and development for the city, recommends council advise the federal government, which owns the Sinclair Centre, that it is willing to consider such a proposal, provided the increased density is balanced with the need to retain the centre’s heritage.

Jackson’s report also recommends that consideration be given to seismically upgrading the buildings and including additional bicycle parking and car-share incentives.

The Sinclair Centre proposal is in keeping with the city’s goal of intensifying commercial uses in the central business district and increasing employment near rapid transit as part of its “greenest city” initiative. The report indicated that a height of 29 storeys would retain view corridors and conform to the height of other buildings in the area.

“The issues are how to integrate new development with true heritage buildings so that it does not result in facade-ism,” Jackson said in an interview with The Vancouver Sun, adding that the city would be looking for a redevelopment scheme that would include the adaptive reuse of the existing office space while allowing additional office space on top of the buildings.

“The details, including structural issues and weight-bearing issues, will all be things we will have to pursue with Public Works Canada.”

He said it will be difficult to significantly increase density without compromising the integrity of the buildings.

A question mark has long been hanging over this architectural jewel in the city’s core. It is one of the longest-running renovation projects in Vancouver, under seemingly constant construction as far back as the few tenants who operate shops in the galleria walkway area can remember. Some of them have been there for 29 years.

For the most part, the stores tucked into this sedate, old-world setting have a rarefied air about them, with Montblanc and Parker pens gleaming from glass showcases and fashions from Prada and Versace lining the clothes racks. Shoppers who brave the ladders and scaffolding will find an exclusive largely pen-and-paper store called Charals, a diamond store, a perfume store, Sinclair Travel, an UPS outlet, a wellness centre, and the chic clothing shop Leone.

But except for people trekking to the passport office, the cavernous space has been largely empty, its hollow halls periodically echoing with the sound of a well-heeled customer on a mission to find a unique treasure. On some days, construction workers appear to outnumber customers.

Gone are a food court and the tinkling of an elegant grand piano that used to draw office workers to the main floor.

None of the tenants would speak on the record about the ongoing renovations or be photographed for fear of jeopardizing their leases, but privately they complained about the dust and noise, saying the lengthy disruptions have hurt their businesses. Adding to their woes was the construction just outside of the Canada Line in the run-up to the 2010 Olympics.

They expressed hope the renovations will wrap up soon, but that now appears doubtful.

In recent weeks, the federal government denied a request for an interview about the future of the buildings, preferring to answer questions through a series of emails that shed little light on any over-arching plan.

Ottawa has spent $27 million on the complex in the last 15 years, with plans to spend a further $5.5 million over the next five years, according to the email exchange. That latter figure would likely be largely irrelevant if the proposed overhaul goes ahead.

In addition to relocating Service Canada and the passport office to the podium floors so they would be more accessible to the public, additional money is being planned to retrofit a glass atrium installed in the mid-1980s, replace carpet, improve signage and provide mechanical upgrades, according to the government emails.

The emails stated that no decision has been made on whether there will be a new food court, and there is no word on whether the retail component could be revamped in some fashion.

Bound by West Hastings, Granville, Cordova and Howe streets, the centre has a long and storied history.

It comprises the former main post office built in 1910, the R.V. Winch building built in 1911, the customs examining warehouse built in 1913, and a post office extension built in 1936.

In 1986, at a cost of $38 million, the four buildings were restored by the federal government and connected by an atrium space and galleria walkways. The complex was rechristened the Sinclair Centre after former Vancouver MP James Sinclair, the father of Margaret Trudeau. A sprinkling of mostly high-end retails outlets opened at the time.

While the buildings were seismically upgraded as part of the 1986 overhaul, they would not meet today’s standards, said the city report.

The government tried to unload the complex in 2007, signing a deal for just over $1.6 billion. While unions and opposition politicians decried the sale as a bad deal for taxpayers, it was the Musqueam First Nation that challenged the sale in court and won, putting a halt to it.

The complex never really took off as a high-end retail centre, partly because the fractured sight lines are unsuitable — shoppers like to see shops far in the distance — and partly because of poor lighting that fails to showcase designer labels.

Jackson said, however, that under the new proposal, the city would expect to see a food court in the building and the city would not want to consider any application that would do away with a retail component. He noted the new revamped centre would be so significant that retail would be necessary to service those who work there.

Civic historian John Atkin said the Sinclair Centre is a key landmark in Vancouver’s history and was once a focal point for federal government services like customs, given its ideal location close to the harbour. The customs examining warehouse once had a large garage door leading to train tracks that extended all the way to Stanley Park.

Atkin praised the decision to consolidate the four buildings into one complex in the mid-1980s.

“For the time, it was a very good example of adapted use and giving new life to heritage buildings. It still is.” It was all done at a reasonable cost, he added.

“There was some liberty taken with some of the buildings, but at the time the heritage was very much respected and really stood out compared with what has happened elsewhere not only in Vancouver but across Canada.”

Once again, the Sinclair Centre is poised for a rebirth. In the meantime, it doesn’t look as though the dust will settle any time soon.

yzacharias@vancouversun.com

Twitter:@yzacharias

with file from Jeff Lee

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