Sen̓áḵw Rising: Vancouver’s 11-Tower Indigenous-Led Development

🏗️ Sen̓áḵw Rising: Vancouver’s 11-Tower Indigenous-Led Development

If you’ve walked near the south end of the Burrard Street Bridge recently, you’ve seen it: towers climbing into the sky, cranes moving fast, and a project that will reshape the waterfront. This is Sen̓áḵw, the 11-tower development led by the Squamish Nation in partnership with Westbank — a landmark project in Vancouver’s history. 🌿

What Is Sen̓áḵw? 🤔

Sen̓áḵw is being built on land that was once a 34-hectare reserve, historically a hub for Indigenous trade, social connection, and culture. The Squamish Nation is reclaiming and revitalizing this land through a mix of market-rate and affordable rental housing, community amenities, and public space.

• 🏠 Total Units: Approximately 6,000 rental apartments
• 💰 Affordable Units: Around 1,200 below-market rentals
• 🏢 Towers: 11 in total, ranging from 12 to 58 storeys
• 📅 Timeline: Phased construction began in 2022, with first residents expected in 2026, and full completion projected by 2030

A Community in the Sky 🌆

Sen̓áḵw is more than apartments. The towers will include commercial spaces and over 7.5 acres of public space by the water’s edge. It’s designed with sustainability in mind — including a net-zero carbon goal and a 10MW district energy system using waste heat from nearby infrastructure. ⚡

The design also celebrates Squamish Nation heritage, incorporating cultural elements and public art to reflect their story, past and present. 🪶

Construction Progress 🚧

• Phase 1: The first three towers are already rising, with hundreds of units taking shape. Tower 1 has reached the fifth floor, Tower 2 the ninth, and Tower 3 the 17th.
• Phase 2: Excavation and construction are set to continue, moving the project closer to its eventual 6,000-unit goal.

Why It Matters 🌍

Sen̓áḵw represents a huge step in Indigenous-led urban development — reclaiming ancestral land while meeting Vancouver’s growing housing needs. At the same time, it raises questions about density, affordability, and the impact on the surrounding neighborhoods. 🏙️

Whether you’re excited or uneasy about the changes, one thing is clear: the skyline and the waterfront of Vancouver will never look the same.

Reflective Questions 💭

• How does seeing towers rise on reclaimed Indigenous land make you feel? 🌿
• What role should heritage and culture play in large urban developments? 🪶
• How can cities balance housing needs with affordability for locals? 🏘️
• What memories of this area will be lost or preserved as Sen̓áḵw grows? 📖