A new development has been announced for Vancouver's waterfront. In addition to waterfront park projects west of the Interstate Bridge, Kirkland Development plans to redevelop nearly four acres just east of the bridge.
The site is currently home to the Joe’s Crab Shack and Who Song & Larry’s restaurants.
The developers want to demolish those existing buildings to make way for 300,000 square feet of residential units and 50,000 square feet of retail space. A hotel, some office space and restaurants could also be part of the plan.
“If you look at the buildings there’s a lot of wear on them. Change can be good,” developer Dean Kirkland told KGW.
But the fate of those buildings could be a sticking point for the deal. A spokesperson for Landry’s Inc., the parent company of Joe’s Crab Shack, said the company has a lease at the waterfront location through 2030.
“We are very successful at the location and have no plans to vacate the space. We plan to be there for at least the next 12 years,” said Steve Scheinthal, Landry’s executive vice president and general counsel, in a prepared statement to KGW.
A Kirkland spokesperson said it’s possible the popular restaurants could find a home in the new development, but there's been no agreement at this point. The two parties are still in talks.
However the plan shakes out, Kirkland is excited about giving the land along the Columbia River a rebirth.
“I think it's one of the last great pieces on the waterfront, it happens to be on the east side and with what's happening on the west side this will make a huge difference,” Kirkland said.
The new development is expected to take several years to complete.
A spokesperson for Kirkland said whatever happens, both current restaurants will stay open for the foreseeable future.