Cost-effective start
Journal from Venice, Italy. "Two years ago we started an improbable journey.
We recognized a unique opportunity to save ten high-value Port Moody homes from demolition by relocating and repurposing them for a coastal community in need of good, cost effective, sustainable housing.
Renewal Development provided a sustainable demolition service to Wesgroup Properties. The Shishálh Nation covered the balance of the costs. Renewal general contracted the entire project from start to finish, including adding ten basement suites. Seventy percent of the trades on site were Nation members; building capacity and supporting community economic development. Together, we helped create 17 units of on-reserve below market rental housing.
M Wyse Enterprise Ltd. + Van Bay Builders, and so many more wonderful local partners.
A project of this scale, bringing together these partnerships, maximizing circularity and building energy efficiency, supporting local apprenticeship, has never been executed here in British Columbia. We don’t know if it’s been done anywhere before.
Six months ago Andrew Tuk w/ The Monocle interviewed me about this innovative project. The world was now hearing what we accomplished. A few weeks later the organizers of the Venice Biennale - French Pavilion (Institut français) reached out and invited Renewal to be exhibited at La Biennale di Venezia Architettura 2025. They wanted to showcase the maximization of circularity in the built environment through innovation and adaptation.
Last week we attended a high profile inauguration in Venice. We invited Councl. Raquel Joe and Councl. Rochelle Jones from the shíshalh Nation and Louis Landolt with Wesgroup. We met with dignitaries from Italy, and France and Canada — all who praised the project and the vision. But most importantly to the team who helped bring such an ambitious project to life.
I felt the most reward when I witnessed the excitement and pride in Raquel and Rochelle. They had helped their community and they showed incredible leadership along the way. Together we charted a new course.
To be good stewards of the land and water, we must think about development differently.
This is just the beginning. Many more to come."
- Glyn Lewis, CEO & Founder
More info:
https://www.renewaldevelopment.ca/project-shishalh-nation