Vancouver is reviewing plans for what could become one of Canada’s skinniest hotels — a 22‑storey, 30‑foot‑wide tower offering 408 pod‑style sleeping spaces just south of Robson Square
The rezoning proposal, submitted by Unison Architecture, would replace a vacant 1950s storefront at 948 Howe Street, with public consultation running from 6–19 May Current page.
If approved, the Nano Hotel would introduce the city’s first capsule‑style accommodation, a format that has expanded globally since originating in Japan in the 1970s Current page. The project targets “young nomads, digital workers and budget‑conscious guests,” supported by its location a short walk from City Centre SkyTrain and the Granville Street Entertainment District Current page.
The design includes 361 nano‑pods of 33 sq ft with shared washrooms on each floor, plus 47 larger 105 sq ft nano‑rooms with private facilities Current page. Rates are expected to start at $125–$135 per night, below Vancouver’s $170 average for single rooms, according to CoStar data Current page.
The tower would feature a sky lobby, bar and rooftop terrace, and is being developed by Unison, which purchased the site for $4 million last year Current page. Hospitality groups including the British Columbia Hotel Association and Destination Vancouver have endorsed the project, citing the city’s urgent need for more affordable, well‑managed accommodation options
