Rezoning applications have been submitted for 2 residential developments in Vancouver's West End, one at the corner of Thurlow and Harwood and the other at Alberni and Bidwell, according to the city's website.

The first one is a proposed 39 storey market residential tower with a 6 storey podium located on the southwest corner of Alberni and Bidwell. Local developer Westbank Projects and Bing Thom Architects are responsible for the project. The tower has a rather striking architectural design, with the buiilding's out structure mimicking the look of an exoskeleton. 

The profile of the exoskeleton will create an unique alternating patter that literally steps up the building, moving away from the typical stratified or monolithic extruded towers design so prevalent in Vancouver, or for that matter, the rest of the world. Four levels of underground parking, with 180 parking stalls and 120 bicycle  parking spaces will be included.

The 2nd development consists of 2 residential towers located at Harwood and Thurlow, and is being proposed by BlueSky Partners and Henriquez  Partners Architects. According to the rezoning application, the north tower will be made up of 59 market residential units on floors 18-33 and 98  social housing units on floors 2-18.  The 2nd tower will have 1 less floor and be made up of 143 market residential units.

The proposed towers in a park are inspired by the clean modern lines of the West End character and contextual relationship to the surrounding fabric. A modern minimalism that is designed as a complementary addition to the existing context and a urban retreat for residents.