Image Development Inc., a condominium developer based out of Vancouver, has launched its low-rise development, Marquee on the Drive, at 2250 Commercial Drive in Vancouver. The building, developed from more than 75 per cent recycled materials, transformed the old Van East Cinema into a modern 58-unit condominium.

The architects behind the development, Ankenman/Marchand, reused the structure of the Van East Cinema, including the original brick façade, steel and concrete. The building’s energy efficiency has also been improved by 39 per cent through the installation of rainwater collection systems and the introduction of water-efficient landscaping. The project was built to a LEED Gold standard equivalent.

“Commercial Drive is a unique microcosm of Vancouver, it’s what makes it so attractive to families and first time homebuyers,” says Timothy Ankenman, lead architect from Ankenman/Marchand. “There are very few opportunities for new condo developments on Commercial Drive; we saw the redevelopment of this space as an opportunity to show the community that a new building can be incorporated without sacrificing the spirit of the ‘Drive’.”

Other building features include thick, sound-proof concrete flooring, 9-foot floor-to-ceiling windows and large decks. The Marquee also has a car-sharing program, electric car-charging stations, a spacious bike room and is conveniently located close to public transit.