The Chain & Forge Building is located in the heart of Vancouver’s False Creek area on Granville Island, underneath the Granville Street Bridge and near the Public Market. Part of CMHC Granville Island’s larger and ongoing planning, maintenance, and redevelopment efforts, the project provides a new public space on a site previously used as a covered parking area.
Named after the Canada Chain & Forge Factory that operated on this site during Granville Island’s industrial area, the newly renovated building space adds retail and restaurant space with up to seven new additional unique businesses. A sizeable public plaza with patio tables and event activation replaces the former outdoor parking lot directly to the south of the building. The building includes a covered outdoor public walkway running north-south between Johnston Street and the new public plaza, in addition to the additional shop and restaurant facilities.
The project features simple, robust materials and detailing, referencing the industrial history of the Granville Island architecture. In its central location under the bridge, the project acts as a connector to the various sides of the site through a light filled walkway configured for clear wayfinding and an extension of the public realm. Completed by omb, in association with Hotson Architecture, in the role of Granville Island architects, the project forms part of the larger CMHC Granville Island redevelopment and revitalization.
