Mount Pleasant renters in fear of eviction amid hotel rezoning proposal
Posted May 14, 2026 4:37 pm.
Will Barrocan has been a tenant in the 29-unit apartment building on East 8th Avenue near Quebec Street in Vancouver for close to 24 years. But now, he fears he may no longer be allowed to stay.
“I was waiting for the SkyTrain on Main Street,” Barrocan told CityNews. “But now they’re trying to kick me out. It’s like I’ve been cheated.”
A rezoning application is in place for the 29-unit rental property to be rebuilt into a 21-story, 190 room hotel that developers say is intended as an extended-stay hotel to support the relocation of tech workers.
The proposal is considered to be under the city’s Broadway Plan. Under this plan’s tenant relocation and protection policy, renters whose homes are replaced by new developments must be offered the option to move into the building at their current rent or at a discount.
But since this application is meant to be a hotel – that protection will not be offered.
“It’s really not a hotel; it’s an attempt to make the rental market more volatile,” said Michael Cook, who has been a tenant of the building for 11 years.
“The so-called tenant relocation protection — they’re extremely minimum, they would maybe cover two months rent. People have moved out and not gotten that.”
On Wednesday, dozens of tenants gathered to voice their opposition against the project, many of them young families and seniors.
“I hope they understand what they’re kicking is not animals, they’re people,” Barrocan said.
In a statement, Nicola Wealth — one of the developers behind the proposal — said it has been working with tenants to ensure they have clear project updates and timelines.
But residents say they have not been forthright.
“We understand the neighbourhood has to grow,” said Rwan Silva, a tenant of four years.
“But growth should include keeping the current residents here. The residents define the neighbourhood.”
The City of Vancouver says it’s aiming for proposals to be considered before council this summer.
Meanwhile, the tenants are urging councillors to let them stay in their homes.
