The end is officially in sight for Denny's in South Vancouver as the property makes way for a massive redevelopment project bringing towers with rental units to the neighbourhood.
The last day of business at Denny's at 622 SW Marine Dr will be Dec. 26, 2022, an employee confirmed via telephone. While no signs about the closure have been posted, the employee says that regular customers are aware the restaurant will be shutting down before the end of the year.
The restaurant is corporately run and it was opened on Oct 5,1972, according to Tony Tong, Regional Manager for Denny's Canada.
Tong explains via email that they opted to keep the location open through to Boxing Day as "we appreciate the loyalty of the guests and would like to [be] open as long as we can," and so that the "guests and staff can celebrate Christmas together."
Mixed-use development with towers, below-market rentals coming to former Denny's site
A redevelopment at the site on Marine Drive near Cambie and the Canada Line station has been in the works for some time now. The development proposal was first submitted in December 2020 and was ultimately approved by Council at a public hearing held Jan. 25, 2022.
Situated on a triangular lot at SW Marine and Ash, the Chard Development project will see a pair of mixed-use buildings of 28 and 32 storeys atop two six-storey podiums. All told, there will be 573 rental units, of which 117 will be allocated for "below-market rental" units (BMR). Additionally, the YWCA is expected to operate 28 of the BMR units "at deeper levels of affordability," according to a referral report from the City of Vancouver General Manager of Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability.
Chard indicates 622 Marine will feature "significant public realm improvements with 40 per cent of the site going back to the community as open public space; a large public plaza designed as a neighbourhood destination with splash pads, outdoor ping pong tables and picnic tables; and a variety of family- and pet-friendly amenities, accessible to all residents." There will also be a child care centre as part of the development.
The development aligns with the current Marpole Community Plan.
Denny's restaurants in Metro Vancouver
The closure of Denny's in South Vancouver leaves just six of the American-based diner-style chain locations in Metro Vancouver. In Vancouver proper, locations remain at 1759 West Broadway and 1098 Davie St, with one each remaining in Burnaby, Delta, North Vancouver, and Richmond. The North Vancouver location is also slated for redevelopment. Just a couple of years ago, the Denny's at 1296 W Broadway was closed to make way for redevelopment.
