Four years after an accidental early morning fire destroyed Kitsilano’s favourite Mexican restaurant, there are new plans to development the land.
Located at 2904 West 4th Avenue, the Topanga Café was opened 40 years ago by Helen Zallen with her three sons Joe, Tom and Morris. The Zallen family owned and operated The Topanga Cafe until 2007 when Andrew Pyatt, a longtime employee, took over ownership.
Yamamoto Architecture has submitted a development permit application to the City of Vancouver for the vacant lot to build a six-storey building with a mix of market rental housing and retail/restaurant uses.
According to Daily Hive, the development will include 35 studio units and 19 two-bedroom units for a total of 54 secured market rental homes.
About 3,900 sq ft of ground-level commercial space will activate the street front and provide continuity for the retail strip, with at least one of the three units designed for restaurant capabilities.
Last modified: December 20, 2022
“six-storey building with a mix of market rental housing and retail/restaurant uses.”
The old restuarant can reopen in a new building.
The fire was no accident. It was caused by the owner of the building or land that wanted to redevelop the land.