First residents could move into Senakw's first rental housing tower by the end of 2025
Earlier in 2025, Tower 1, the most advanced building in the construction process, reached its full height as it topped out its rooftop — a major milestone in the project’s construction.
As of earlier this month, crews were working on the level 27 concrete slab pour for Tower 2 and the level 38 pour for Tower 3. Both of these towers will top out on their absolute rooftops soon this spring.
Construction progress on the first phase of Senakw, as of March 17, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)
Construction progress on the first phase of Senakw, as of February 2025. (Westbank)
Construction progress on the first phase of Senakw, as of February 2025. (Westbank)
Jenn Podmore Russell, Chief Development Officer for Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation, the economic development company owned by the Squamish Nation, told Daily Hive Urbanized that Tower 1 is now expected to be completed by late 2025 or early 2026. Once finished, it will introduce 333 market rental homes and 67 affordable rental homes to the housing market.
Then, by the end of 2026, she says, another 960 market rental homes and 240 affordable rental homes will be ready from the completions of Tower 2 and Tower 3, effectively “helping to address the urgent demand for housing in the region.” The first three towers combined generate a total of 1,600 homes.
With the first phase now approaching completion, attention is now returning to the second phase — a parcel located immediately on the east side of the bridge, north of the former Molson brewery. The restart of the full excavation process for the second phase’s parcel is expected to begin in April 2025.
Construction progress on the first phase of Senakw, as of February 2025. (Westbank)
Construction progress on the first phase of Senakw, as of February 2025. (Westbank)
This 2025/2026 completion of the first phase’s three towers brings it in line with the project’s expected completion schedule as outlined in the Services Agreement with the City of Vancouver. According to the agreement, phase two will be built by 2027/2028, phase three by 2029/2030, and phase four by 2032/2033.
There will be a total of 11 towers, with the tallest of Tower 9 in phase three reaching 560 ft with 58 storeys, containing over 900 rental homes.
Each phase introduces roughly 1,500 rental homes — with a similar proportion of market rental units and affordable rental units — for a total of nearly 6,100 secured purpose-built rental homes for up to 9,000 residents, including over 4,800 market rental homes and about 1,200 below-market rental homes. There will also be 106,000 sq ft of commercial retail/restaurant uses and about 45,000 sq ft of office space.
Utilities works, such as digging up city streets to install sewer and water pipes to support the project, are well underway and slated to finish in 2028. To support the car-light development — which will include approximately 886 vehicle parking stalls but nearly 1,500 secured bike parking spaces — an integrated network of bike lanes will be established. Additionally, a new TransLink bus station will be built at the south end of the bridge deck.
Construction progress on the first phase of Senakw, as of February 2025. (Westbank)
Construction progress on the first phase of Senakw, as of February 2025. (Westbank)
Construction progress on the first phase of Senakw, as of February 2025. (Westbank)
To provide renters with some guarantees, Squamish Nation will adopt the same protections of the B.C. Residential Tenancy Act for Senakw and all other future on-reserve housing developments.
To support its expanding operations beyond construction, Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation recently made a strategic hire, appointing Brandi Halls as executive vice president of Brand, Marketing, and Community Engagement.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brandi as she brings her expertise home to lead Nch’ḵay̓’s Brand, Marketing, and Community Engagement team,” said Mindy Wight, CEO of Nch’ḵay̓.
“Her leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our brand and market presence, all while advancing our mission of long-term prosperity for the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). Brandi’s deep connection to our values makes her the perfect fit to help us achieve our goals in alignment with the Nation’s guiding principles.”
Halls previously worked for Lush Cosmetics for 20 years, including as the public relations manager of North America for more than four years, the brand director of North America for over nine years, and most recently, the chief ethics officer of North America for nearly three years.
“As a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh woman, having the opportunity to shape the Nch’ḵay̓ brand and contribute to creating generational wealth for my community is a dream come true,” said Halls.
“I am deeply grateful for the path that has led me here. My experiences and journey have equipped me with the tools and expertise to take on this important work on behalf of my Nation.”
The First Nation has a majority stake in Senakw, while Westbank and OPSEU Pension Trust own the remaining 50%. The project’s design firm is Revery Architecture.
Senakw master plan. (Revery Architecture/Kasian/Tandem Studios/Squamish Nation)
Artistic rendering of Senakw and the Burrard Street Bridge’s new bus station. (Revery Architecture/Squamish Nation/Westbank)
September 2022 artistic rendering of the refined detailed design of Senakw: perspective looking northwest from Granville Street near West 4th Avenue. (Revery Architecture/Kasian/Tandem Studios/Squamish Nation)
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