Latest News

Tips for Business Preparedness for Occupy Vancouver Protest: DVBIA has released and outline of what businesses may expect with the upcoming 'Occupy Vancouver' protests starting on the 15th of October. Click here to vew the article.

Important Changes to our Recycling Program: We'd like to anounce changes to the recycling programs in all buildings besides the Flack Block. The linked documents below outline important changes to our recycling program. Please review carefully and let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Once you have reviewed the changes please also review the supplies you currently have and the supplies you need. Some of the containers on the attached are in stock and others will need to order so please let me know what you need to make the recycling program work for you as soon as possible.

Of course we understand that many of you have businesses; our dentists, health/fitness providers, banking etc. that may have other requirements. Our goal is work with every tenant to make the programs work for you. Let us know. I would be happy to come to your office to discuss any of the programs with you or your staff.

Attached you will find:

• A memo describing the program
• A description of all of the containers we have available for you and their suggested use
• Descriptions of what each program does. You can use these posters in your office to assist staff on what goes where.

DVBIA Supports Riot Review Report : The Provincial Riot Review has now been released on the Stanley Cup riots in downtown Vancouver and the DVBIA supports it's call for action to be taken on the recommendations noted in the report. View the report here.

The Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association (DVBIA): The DVBIA serves a 90-block area that consists of 8,000 businesses, property owners and tenants – proactively promoting areas of interest and attractions, public advocacy on important issues and hands-on services to ensure that downtown remains clean, safe, attractive and hospitable for everyone.

Click here for the July 2011 edition of Downtown Matters – the DVBIA’s monthly e-newsletter.

A Tenant Shower/Change Room Facility: in the lower level of 890 West Pender is available for the exclusive use of tenants occupying West Pender Property Group buildings.

In conjunction with this facility there is bike cage off the loading bay at the back of 890 West Pender. This bike facility is for the use of all 890 West Pender tenants as well as those who wish to as they use the shower facility.

Prior to using this facility you must first complete a Shower Room Facility User Agreement and pay the appropriate fee(s). Please review this document carefully prior to signing. If you have an existing access card for any of our buildings this facility can be added. If you do not have a card, you will need to purchase one at a cost of $15.00. Click here to download this agreement. Once the agreement is completed please bring it to West Pender Property Group offices along with your cheque (s).

Access to the facility is with a security access card and via the stairwell located at the back of the building off the loading bay. A bike cage is available for use while you use this facility. Please NO BIKES INSIDE THE BUILDING.

The lockers located inside the change rooms are for day use only. Items left in these lockers overnight will be removed and disposed of. Users provide their own lock for these lockers.

Lockers located in the corridor behind the shower facilities can be rented. See the rental agreement for the costs associated with these lockers. Only locks provided by West Pender are to be used for lockers in this area.

There are blow dryers provided and in the ladies change room a flat iron is also provided. These items are in the cupboard under the sink and are for use in the shower rooms only and must not be removed.

Please direct any questions, comments or ideas for improvement to Gail Gossen at ggossen@westpenderproperty.com

Tenant to Tenant: Provides a venue for tenants to communicate with each other. You can advertise and promote your services, organize group functions (car pooling, lunch time exercise walks etc.), promote fund-raisers, or dispose of unwanted furniture (or ask for some). All postings are approved and monitored by West Pender Property Group. Buy and Sell items will be listed for a maximum of six months.

To place your Tenant to Tenant notice click on the Tenant to Tenant icon at the top of the home page.

Environmental Programs: West Pender Property Group is committed to being, and helping our tenants to be, responsible, environmentally active citizens. As part of this commitment we have established extensive energy saving, recycling and reusing/reducing programs. As a result of these programs all of our buildings have achieved BOMA BESt designations. 800 West Pender and 885 Dunsmuir have both recently been designated level 3 (level 4 being the top rating possible) and will be working to upgrade 890 West Pender and 580 Hornby to this level later this year. Our new buildings 163 West Hastings; Flack Block and 815 West Hastings will be added to this program as soon as possible

Recycling: Our recycling program is coordinated with Urban Impact and we are working with them to continually improve the services we provide to our tenants and expanding the program to include more items. The basic programs include the recycling of all paper and fibre, bottles, cans and plastics, and electronics. The recycling of paper towels and soft plastics has recently been added and we are currently looking into adding composting.

No Garbage at your Desk: This program removes garbage cans from individual desks and requires people to use a “side saddle” or to take their item to a central container. This program results in dramatically increasing recycling and also illuminates thousands and thousands of garbage bags going into the landfill. This program is currently in effect at 800 West Pender, 890 West Pender and 885 Dunsmuir and will be coming to our other buildings soon.

Energy Saving: We have completed many energy saving programs throughout all of our buildings. In lighting we have reduced energy consumption by installing sensors, removing unnecessary lights, installing new fixtures and ballasts, and improving switching. We have also made several modifications to our heating and air conditioning systems throughout our portfolio which reduces consumption and increase comfort.

Our programs are meaningless without tenant participation. Congratulations and thank you to all of our tenants who have cooperated and supported these initiatives.

For more information on any of these programs or if you have ideas you would like us to explore please contact Gail Gossen at ggossen@westpenderproperty.com

Our Staff: The staff of West Pender Property Group wishes to ensure that you are comfortable and safe in your work environment.  Please let us know if you have any concerns.  If you are not sure who to contact please see “contact us” in the top right hand corner of the page.  For service requests please click on the Tenant Service Request icon on the top right of the page.

Do you know who to call in our office:  see “Contact Us” in the top right hand corner of this Home Page.  

Conference Facility: Conference Facility: A conference facility if available for rent to all tenants in West Pender Property Group managed buildings. The facility, located on the 2nd floor of 830 West Pender features:

• 565 square feet conference room and adjoining kitchen.
• Seating for up to 20 in classroom, boardroom, congress or auditorium style.
• 52 inch HD television, capable of being used as a computer monitor.
• DVD player.
• VCR.
• White board and flip chart.
• Internet connection
• Conference telephone.

For further information please contact Carolyn at 604-683-2141  or crailton@westpenderproperty.com

Leasing: The Vancouver Office Market: The Metro Vancouver office leasing market has a current (1/28/2011) vacancy rate of 8.4%, however Downtown is significantly lower at 5.2%. Within the different classes in Downtown the vacancies are as follows: AAA buildings are at 3.9%, A buildings are at 2.8%, B buildings are at 6.7% and C buildings are at 10%. Current vacancy in the West Pender Group portfolio stands at 5.5%.

Leasing activity has increased since December 2010 with many requests being received for showing of available units and units that will be available in the next 6-12 months. There appears to be a return to optimism and expansion in many tenant sectors and this has translated into a steady increase in leasing activity and rental rates.

Reports are that several new office building projects are planning to commence construction in 2010 and given the required time to obtain permits and actually construct an office building this will likely mean that there will be an increase in office supply, albeit mostly Class AAA, in 2015/2016.