Vancouver City Council Approves Filipino Cultural Centre Hotel Project

Vancouver City Council has formally approved a new mixed-use hotel project that will feature a Filipino community and cultural centre in the Mount Pleasant area. This endorsement, granted on December 10, 2023, followed extensive public discussions, including two meetings where over 160 speakers largely voiced their support for the initiative.

The majority of the council, led by Mayor Ken Sim and Councillor Lenny Zhou, voted in favour of the motion. Although four councillors abstained, their abstentions were counted as votes in support. The approval directs city staff to collaborate with the private developer PortLiving and the non-profit organization Filipino Legacy Society to expedite the review of necessary rezoning and development permit applications.

Members of the Filipino community have long sought a permanent cultural centre to celebrate their heritage. In a statement following the vote, Warren Dean Flandez, chair of the Filipino Legacy Society, expressed gratitude towards the mayor and council members for their support. Flandez emphasized the unique opportunity the project presents, stating, “With support from the City of Vancouver, as well as the provincial and federal governments, we have an unprecedented opportunity to create a permanent home for our community.”

Project Details and Community Support

The proposed development includes a 30-storey hotel with 242 guest rooms, built above a 60,000 square foot cultural centre specifically designed for the Filipino community. A second 30-storey hotel tower will provide an additional 264 guest rooms, bringing the total to over 500 across both sites.

The location at 1940 Main St., situated at the intersection of East 4th Avenue, is seen as ideal due to its accessibility via public transport, including nearby SkyTrain stations. Tobi Reyes, owner of PortLiving, assured council members that his company has resolved previous financial challenges, repaying over $400 million in debt and addressing all outstanding property tax issues.

While the majority of public comments supported the motion, some councillors expressed apprehensions during the deliberations. Green Party Councillor Pete Fry raised concerns regarding the project’s presentation and the developer’s financial history, suggesting a review by the City’s integrity commissioner. Mayor Sim later confirmed that both the integrity commissioner and independent legal counsel found no legal or conduct violations linked to the project.

Challenges and Opposition

Despite the approval, opposition persists from other community groups, notably Filipino BC, which has criticized the process as lacking transparency and accused involved parties of corruption. The organization stated that the project was shaped by political influence rather than genuine community needs, leading to significant tension within the Filipino community.

The provincial government has signalled its support for establishing a cultural centre, having conducted preliminary consultations in 2024. The federal government has also committed unspecified funding for the initiative, which has seen multiple Filipino organizations vying for the same resources.

Some councillors who abstained from voting affirmed their support for a cultural centre but expressed reservations about the specific proposal and the involvement of private developers. Rebecca Bligh, a Vote Vancouver councillor, highlighted the need for unity among different Filipino community groups, stating, “The community needs to come together and be united.”

The proponents of the project argue that this is the most viable pathway to achieving a Filipino cultural centre in Metro Vancouver, citing its financial backing and established partnerships. They emphasize the urgency of moving forward, as construction financing is time-sensitive.

As the initiative progresses, both the city and the Filipino community will continue to navigate the complexities of establishing a cultural centre that meets the aspirations and needs of its members.