This was the scene in the 3400 block of West 41st Ave. on Dec. 12, 2025. A replacement for the apartment building that burned in 2024 was rising at the corner of 41st and Collingwood. Beside it, boarded-up houses were awaiting demolition to make way for an Amica seniors’ facility that will fill the rest of the block.
By Jan. 8, 2026, a couple more floors had been added to the apartment building and the two houses were gone. They were among nine single-family houses being removed for the seniors’ facility.
All 50 trees on the site had to be removed, plus six of 11 city trees. These piles contain some of their remains.
By Carol Volkart
A once-forested stretch of 41st Avenue is looking different these days as a six-storey apartment building rises and the rest of the block is being prepared for the construction of a seniors’ facility.
The apartment at the northeast corner of 41st and Collingwood is a rebuild of the one that burned to the ground in a spectacular August 2024 fire. First approved by city council in 2021 and taking the place of four single-family homes, it will be 72 feet high and provide 114 secured market rental units.
Right beside the new apartment building, the forest of trees that once covered 10 parcels all the way to Blenheim has been cut down. All but three of the nine single-family homes that once nestled in those woods were gone as of the first week of January. In future, the rest of the block between Blenheim and Collingwood will be filled by an 85-foot-high seniors’ facility with 232 units.
The facility, to be operated by Amica Seniors Living, was approved unanimously by Vancouver city council in April of 2024.
Community opinion on the project was strongly divided, with some arguing the facility was badly needed in an area with an aging population, and others saying it was too big, too high and would adversely affect the neighbours.
A major concern was the loss of the many mature trees on the site, and the impact on the wide variety of birds and other wildlife that lived there.
A March 2024 city report said all 50 on-site trees plus six of 11 city trees would be removed “due to conflict with the building footprint, north lane development and future public realm design.” Five city trees were to be retained, and 24 trees adjacent to the site would need neighbours’ consent before removal.
As for the future, “the proposal anticipates substantial replacement trees on three sides of the site, with 71 new trees on-site and 18 new city trees,” the report said. “The final number of new trees will be determined through the development permit process.”
This was the scene at the Blenheim end of the site on Dec. 12. Three of the houses were still there as of Jan. 8.
50 chopped trees make for a lot of debris.
One of nine boarded-up homes to be replaced by the new seniors’ facility.
Another of the older homes slated for demolition.
A series of signs like this at the corner of Blenheim and 41st explain the removal of boulevard trees for construction.
Image of new Amica seniors’ facility in the 3400 block of West 41st as shown in city reports.
Thank you, Carol, for yet another very informative article. I walked along Blenheim for a Dunbar patrol two weeks ago and was shocked to see the debris field of the fallen trees. Here is a perfect example of need versus want. I want beautiful trees to fill our neighborhoods. I want the birds and all the flora and fauna to thrive in this beautiful area. Replacement trees will not replace the beauty of the small forest that preceded them. I also wonder about the affordability aspect of both the apartment building and the Amica complex. The numbers do bear out that more rental is needed. Certainly more seniors housing is needed. But these constructions to me do not reflect a healthy or desirable living environment. I suppose we can all be thankful that we live in this part of the city and the forest is just a few streets away. But the beauty of the neighbourhood is disappearing. I guess the question is whether that is even important anymore. Points to ponder as we move forward. Thank you again, Carol.
Just a pile of debris — was any responsibly harvested, i.e., put to use. Doesn’t look like it from the photos.
The trees all had to go because they did not conform … “due to conflict with the building footprint, north lane development and future public realm design.”
A city that cared one whit about urban forest, liveability for humans and urban wildlife MIGHT think to eliminate this ‘conflict’ by demanding that plans conform to mature trees. A meaningful inventory of trees could presumably save some — and gee, might even foster a more interesting building than the rectangles/blocks we are seeing everywhere. I have seen only one building where an existing tree was saved — on south side of King Edward, between Oak and Cambie — sure makes for a more interesting site.
As to the ‘future public realm design’ I can’t imagine what that might mean. Look at our public space beside the two new apartment buildings at 30th and 29th — a concrete landing with steps up to a medical clinic and a few modernist benches –white acrylic (or some other hard material) blobs that are seating for a few people in the hot sun. Not where I’d want to sit.
The houses on the Northeast corner of Blenheim and also a block east on 41st have been boarded up for years now. One house on Blenheim just up from the NE corner is a beautiful character home too. It’s tragic to see such a beautiful house boarded up for years and eventually demolished. Why are these houses boarded up for so long if housing is such an issue? More so, why is a city that claims to be so green destroying so many trees and liveable houses? It’s absolutely a shame what they are doing all in the name of density/supposed required supply. Is this truly progress? Doesn’t seem like it.
Although I really hate to see all the condos going up in Dunbar and tree removal, the west side really does need more care homes. As someone who has had both parents transition from home owners to independent living to full care, I know 1st hand how long the wait lists can be. Hopefully this new “ Home” will ease the wait.
In the first photo the house on the right is likely less than twenty years old. In addition to the trees we are seeing houses around the city that are quite new being demolished, often behind a blue fence and a “Land Assembly” sign.