VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Vancouver Chinatown Foundation today announced the official name for the 58 West Hastings project: Bob & Michael’s Place. The naming of one of the most innovative community housing projects is in recognition of two of Vancouver’s most influential philanthropists and supporters of community development, Robert (Bob) Lee and Michael Audain. Both Bob and Michael were early supporters of the 58 West Hastings project, bringing together some of the city's top developers, builders, and architects, alongside a combined donation of $10M to bring this industry-defining project to life.
Bob & Michael’s Place has been a vision of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation since the foundation was established in 2011. Recognizing that the revitalization of Chinatown cannot be successful without addressing the needs of its neighbours, Bob & Michael’s Place is a response to one of the neighbourhood’s greatest needs—affordable community housing. Committed to creating a home where residents can thrive in the community, Bob & Michael’s Place aspires to be a model for the future of social housing in Canada.
“My father, Bob Lee, and Michael Audain have played significant roles in shaping Vancouver into the city that it is today. Both of these men have deep connections to this neighbourhood and have long fought for and centred their work on community wellbeing. When it came down to who this transformative initiative would be named after, we wanted to honour both of their incredible legacies,” said Carol Lee, Chair of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation. “By improving and increasing the supply of quality housing in Chinatown and surrounding neighbourhoods, Bob & Michael’s Place is the realization of a key strategy of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation. This is an exciting moment for everyone who has worked on this project.”
Over the course of their careers, Bob and Michael have been catalysts in both Vancouver’s real estate industry and philanthropic community. United by a profound commitment to community stewardship and fostering positive change, Bob and Michael formed a deep and enduring friendship that has translated to numerous joint initiatives over the years serving the wider Vancouver community.
“What the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation has achieved with Bob & Michael’s Place is truly remarkable, and the project will no doubt be transformational for Chinatown and its neighbouring communities,” said Michael Audain, CEO and Chairman of Polygon Homes Ltd. “Bob and I have always believed in the power of philanthropy to make a difference, and this project epitomizes that belief. I’m a long-time supporter of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, and I’m thrilled to see this project come to fruition.”
Slated to open in Spring 2024, Bob & Michael’s Place will provide 231 new independent living homes alongside the Lily Lee Community Health Centre Hastings, a 50,000-square-foot integrated health centre, named after the prominent Vancouver philanthropist, and Lee’s wife, Lily Lee, that will serve the entire community. This project aims to uplift the community through infrastructure built around the needs of those who live and work in the neighbourhood.
Unique to Bob & Michael’s Place is the Community Partnerships Program that will connect residents with local organizations specializing in wellness, life skills, mentoring, sports, culture and entertainment. These partners will provide access to programming and experiences designed with the needs and interests of the residents in mind. Those who engage with the opportunities offered by the Community Partners will learn invaluable life skills, develop new confidence, and be active participants in the neighbourhood.
Bob & Michael’s Place is slated to start moving in tenants in May 2024, and tenancy applications are now available online here. For more information about Bob & Michael’s Place, visit bobandmichaelsplace.org.
About Vancouver Chinatown Foundation
The Vancouver Chinatown Foundation is a registered charity committed to the revitalization of Chinatown, one of Canada’s most iconic neighbourhoods in the historic heart of Vancouver. The Foundation builds more resilient and inclusive communities by promoting the well-being of those in need while preserving Chinatown’s irreplaceable cultural heritage. Learn more at chinatownfoundation.org.
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