Vancouver-based architect Gregory Henriquez recently unveiled his vision for Toronto’s iconic Honest Ed’s site at Bloor St. and Bathurst St., which includes plans for 1,000 purpose-built rental housing units. In partnership with developer Westbank Corp., Henriquez revealed the conceptual Bloor & Bathurst community proposal for 55 buildings with residential, retail and restaurant space at a community meeting on March 3.

According to the Goodman report: 2014 Greater Vancouver Rental Apartment Review, the Greater Vancouver area experienced a record-breaking $778-million in apartment transactions in 2014, up 33 per cent from the previous year. The average price per suite also increased, year-over-year, to $237,000.

According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Canada’s purpose-built rental apartment vacancy rate increased, year-over-year, in October 2014. The CMHC’s Rental Market Survey, released Dec. 16, indicated that the average Canadian rental vacancy rate rose to 2.8 per cent. Inventories and average rents also rose over the course of the year.