Vancouver City Council Approves AbCellera’s Mount Pleasant Campus

Written by Lindsay Carlson

January 10, 2022

Real Estate News

On December 20, 2021 Vancouver City Council unanimously approved rezoning applications from developers Beedie and Dayhu, for AbCellera's new biotech research campus at 110 West 4th Avenue and 150 West 4th Avenue.

Both buildings will host AbCellera Biologics in supporting the company’s rapid growth. City staff provided AbCellera a rare, expedited path of combining the rezoning and development application processes into a single process.

AbCellera is responsible for co-developing the first authorized COVID-19 antibody therapy for emergency use in high-risk patients in Canada and the United States. The company closed a successful initial public offering in late 2020, which gained recognition as the largest-ever IPO by a Canadian biotech company.

Future site of AbCellera's east building at 110 West 4th Avenue in August 2021 (Tech Office/Lindsay Carlson)

The new 9-storey building at 110 West 4th Avenue will replace the existing low rise structures including A&B Party Event Rentals. The application at 150 West 4th Avenue provided approval for the addition of two more floors to a building that was actively under construction.

Details for both projects are as follows:

110 West 4th Avenue (east building):

  • Developer and Co-Owner: Beedie Development Group
  • Architect: FRANCL Architecture
  • 9-storey building
  • Total floor area of ~221,000 sq. ft. (70% lab & 30% office/support space)
  • Floor space ratio (FSR) of 7.0
  • 268 underground parking and 88 bicycle spaces

150 West 4th Avenue (west building):

  • Developer and Contractors: Dayhu Group, Lark Group, and ICT Group.
  • Architect: Taylor Kurtz Architecture & Design
  • 7-storey building (addition of two floors, increasing to seven storeys)
  • Total floor area of ~169,000 sq. ft. (previously 128,000 sq ft)
  • Building height of 95 feet
  • Application included ground level restaurant
  • Floor space ratio (FSR) of 3.97
  • 218 underground parking and 94 bicycle spaces
150 West 4th Avenue
Artistic rendering of the west building at 150 West 4th Avenue (Taylor Kurtz Architecture & Design/AbCellera/Dayhu)

Both buildings are strategically located near AbCellera’s existing HQ at 2215 Yukon Street, and a new office build they leased at 2131 Manitoba Street. 

The campus is needed to support their planned Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) facility, located at 900 Evans Avenue, that will be used to produce antibody treatments.

AbCellera's west building under construction in August 2021 (Tech Office/Lindsay Carlson)

Construction is currently underway at 150 West 4th Avenue with completion anticipated for 2023 with 110 West 4th and the GMP facility ready by 2024.

About the Author

Lindsay Carlson

Lindsay Carlson is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Floorspace, where she leads the company’s day-to-day operations, product development, and client-focused initiatives. Since launching the business in 2022 with her partner Matt, Lindsay has played an instrumental role in modernizing how brokers and clients navigate the commercial real estate process.

With a passion for building efficient systems and empowering teams, Lindsay spearheads Floorspace’s proprietary software platform, FLO, which streamlines deal management and collaboration for brokers. Her innovative mindset and hands-on leadership have helped position Floorspace as a trusted partner for businesses seeking real estate solutions.

Before Floorspace, Lindsay brought her strategic expertise to various roles in commercial real estate and business management. Her ability to connect with clients, improve workflows, and foster team growth continues to shape the company’s success.

Outside of work, Lindsay is a proud mom of two young children and an active member of her local community in North Vancouver. When she’s not juggling the demands of business and family life, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, listening to loud music, and serving as PAC Secretary at her children’s school.

Read more

Join our Mailing List

Be the first to hear about new listings, the latest market trends, and more.