REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Open Date – August 28, 2025
Deadline – October 3, 2025
Lease Opportunity:
Multi-Purpose Social and Cultural Non-profit Hub
485 West 42nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC
Issued by:
Social Policy and Projects
Arts, Culture and Community Services
City of Vancouver
Overview
This RFP is being issued by the City of Vancouver (the “City”) to seek proposals (each, a “Proposal”) from established Vancouver-based social and cultural non-profit organizations (each, an “Applicant”) who are interested in engaging with the City for a lease (the “Lease”) as the lead tenant and operator (the “Operator”) of an approximately 14,500 square foot space nearing completion at 485 West 42nd Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia (the “Premises”).
The Premises is intended to be an affordable, shared non-profit hub, with office, meeting rooms, programming spaces for the Operator and Vancouver-based non-profit subtenant organizations (the “Subtenants”) to share.
The Applicant will be expected to propose a model for sharing the space that reflects the City’s intent to support co-location of non-profit services. Applicants have two options:
(a) apply with proposed Subtenant(s) identified, and describe the process used to select Subtenant(s) and how it aligns with City priorities (see Section 1.9); or,
(b) apply with a proposed approach to select Subtenants after award of Lease. City staff can facilitate introductions to potential Subtenants as needed.
As outlined in the Public Service Requirements (Schedule E), the Applicant will sublease space to Subtenants on a cost recovery basis, balancing operational sustainability with the provision of affordable rental space. This process to select Subtenants and the requisite Subtenant agreements will consider social and cultural services organizations that serve Indigenous communities and diverse underrepresented communities, and reflect the social and cultural needs of the neighbourhood and the City of Vancouver.
Please note this RFP is open to any non-profit organization (NPO) providing social and cultural services with capacity to assume the financial and organizational responsibilities of a ‘lead tenant’ role. Individuals and for-profit business enterprises are not invited to apply.
The City is committed to an open, transparent and equitable selection process under this RFP. Additional details for definitions, minimum eligibility requirements and the selection process are described in the RFP document. Please see the relevant documents linked below to inform your application.
Key Documents
Who is NOT eligible
Organizations that:
Are not providing social or ethno-cultural services
Don't have administrative or financial capacity to assume head tenant role and responsibilities
Are for-profit
What to Consider Before Applying
Vision and need
How does your interest in operating the new social and cultural hub align with your organization’s vision, mission, strategic plan, and long-term goals?
How does your proposal reflect our social service priorities outlined in Spaces to Thrive, Vancouver’s Social Infrastructure Strategy PDF file (18 MB)?
How does your proposal support the facility goals and intended use for the new social and cultural hub, including the ability to assume the head tenant role and responsibilities?
Equity and Reconciliation
How does your proposal support the directions outlined in our key frameworks and strategy? These include:
How does your proposal demonstrate principles of equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion?
Readiness: Organization, financial, and funding
How well-established, stable, and sustainable is your organization? Does your organization have a detailed and realistic operational plan in place?
NOTE: Operating budget submission required at a later date - more information will be uploaded to this application
Does your proposal include a feasible operating budget for the 14,500 square foot social and cultural purpose facility?
Lease Opportunity: Multi-Purpose Social and Cultural Non-profit Hub (485 W 42nd Avenue)
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Open Date – August 28, 2025
Deadline – October 3, 2025
Lease Opportunity:
Multi-Purpose Social and Cultural Non-profit Hub
485 West 42nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC
Issued by:
Social Policy and Projects
Arts, Culture and Community Services
City of Vancouver
Overview
This RFP is being issued by the City of Vancouver (the “City”) to seek proposals (each, a “Proposal”) from established Vancouver-based social and cultural non-profit organizations (each, an “Applicant”) who are interested in engaging with the City for a lease (the “Lease”) as the lead tenant and operator (the “Operator”) of an approximately 14,500 square foot space nearing completion at 485 West 42nd Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia (the “Premises”).
The Premises is intended to be an affordable, shared non-profit hub, with office, meeting rooms, programming spaces for the Operator and Vancouver-based non-profit subtenant organizations (the “Subtenants”) to share.
The Applicant will be expected to propose a model for sharing the space that reflects the City’s intent to support co-location of non-profit services. Applicants have two options:
(a) apply with proposed Subtenant(s) identified, and describe the process used to select Subtenant(s) and how it aligns with City priorities (see Section 1.9); or,
(b) apply with a proposed approach to select Subtenants after award of Lease. City staff can facilitate introductions to potential Subtenants as needed.
As outlined in the Public Service Requirements (Schedule E), the Applicant will sublease space to Subtenants on a cost recovery basis, balancing operational sustainability with the provision of affordable rental space. This process to select Subtenants and the requisite Subtenant agreements will consider social and cultural services organizations that serve Indigenous communities and diverse underrepresented communities, and reflect the social and cultural needs of the neighbourhood and the City of Vancouver.
Please note this RFP is open to any non-profit organization (NPO) providing social and cultural services with capacity to assume the financial and organizational responsibilities of a ‘lead tenant’ role. Individuals and for-profit business enterprises are not invited to apply.
The City is committed to an open, transparent and equitable selection process under this RFP. Additional details for definitions, minimum eligibility requirements and the selection process are described in the RFP document. Please see the relevant documents linked below to inform your application.
Key Documents
Who is NOT eligible
Organizations that:
Are not providing social or ethno-cultural services
Don't have administrative or financial capacity to assume head tenant role and responsibilities
Are for-profit
What to Consider Before Applying
Vision and need
How does your interest in operating the new social and cultural hub align with your organization’s vision, mission, strategic plan, and long-term goals?
How does your proposal reflect our social service priorities outlined in Spaces to Thrive, Vancouver’s Social Infrastructure Strategy PDF file (18 MB)?
How does your proposal support the facility goals and intended use for the new social and cultural hub, including the ability to assume the head tenant role and responsibilities?
Equity and Reconciliation
How does your proposal support the directions outlined in our key frameworks and strategy? These include:
How does your proposal demonstrate principles of equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion?
Readiness: Organization, financial, and funding
How well-established, stable, and sustainable is your organization? Does your organization have a detailed and realistic operational plan in place?
NOTE: Operating budget submission required at a later date - more information will be uploaded to this application
Does your proposal include a feasible operating budget for the 14,500 square foot social and cultural purpose facility?