Central Presbyterian Church

Completed: July 2018

About: This project has a lot of interesting components to it. Not only is it a fully functioning church with a brand-new pipe organ, but they also have a large day care, a kitchen designed to create meals for those in need and a rental equity program.

Challenges: Although this may look like one building there are two separate DDC systems within it. Bosa Properties owns the market housing on the upper floors and the Central Presbyterian Church owns and manages the church and the non-market housing. The two spaces operate and function as totally separate entities and therefore needed completely separate DDC systems.

Successes: CSL does not often do a lot of high density residential projects, so this was a nice change of pace for our team. As noted above this project is very community oriented, which as a family-owned and operated business is very important to the CSL family.

Holt Renfrew

Completed: May 2018

System: Automated Logic Corporation (ALC)

About: Holt Renfrew is a chain of high-end Canadian department stores and its Vancouver location is found in the city center on Granville Street attached via a walkway to Pacific Centre. If you are a pedestrian, you will know it is the quickest way to get from West Pender Street to Robson Street without getting wet. That is some very important knowledge if you are a Vancouverite.

Challenges: As mentioned, Holt Renfrew is a high-end retailer, which means $7,000 shoes and $10,000 jackets. What that also indicates is no dust, dirt, ladders or dirty work clothes on the retail floor will be tolerated at any time. Our team upgraded the system, while keeping the store fully operational, without getting dust on any merchandise, and with two full phases completed outside of store hours. Great job team!

Successes: What makes this job stand out is the length of time it has taken to finalize. It is easily one of the longest running jobs that CSL has ever completed. In just over two years our team converted the entire Holt Renfrew building with five different phases of work to new mechanical equipment, controllers and full remote access. 

Vancouver Public Library and YWCA

Completed: November 2017

About: The Strathcona Library building is a mix-use facility, with a 11,000 square foot library and 21 units of social housing for single mothers. Located in the heart of Strathcona, the last 
neighborhood in Vancouver without a library, this building was conceived out of a partnership between The City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Public Library and the YWCA.

Challenges: The entire structure holds three completely separate sections, with three very different  needs. There was the parkade with gas detection requirements, the Library which services the public,and the housing on top which of course is residential. Also, interestingly enough there are two  different types of frames. Typically the frame for a building is consistent and made out of one type ofmaterial, however this building has a concrete base and a wood frame on top.

Successes: Any building that includes social housing we would consider a success. It is always nice to be a part of a project that can support the community. As a family run and owned business we try  to do our best to support projects that we think will support the different communities where our employees and their families live.