The 30-Year Bet: Cypress Village & The Future of West Van
Executive Summary
At a Glance: The "Grand Bargain"
The Deal: West Vancouver approved a massive trade: allowing a new "mini-city" (3,700 homes) on the mountain in exchange for protecting 1,500 acres of nature forever.
The Scale: This isn't just a few condos. It is a 25-year plan to build a fully walkable village with schools, shops, and transit at the base of Cypress Mountain.
The Opportunity: While the full village will take decades, "Early Bird" presale opportunities are already popping up on the edges of the site.
1. What is Cypress Village?
Think of it as a "Whistler Village" style community, but right here in West Vancouver. Developed by British Pacific Properties, this plan transforms 200 acres of the Upper Lands into a self-contained town.
The Homes: ~3,700 new units (a mix of condos, townhomes, and rentals).
The Lifestyle: Designed so you can walk to the grocery store, coffee shop, or community center without getting in your car.
The Timeline: This is a marathon, not a sprint. Full build-out will take 20 to 30 years.
2. The "Grand Bargain": Why It Got Approved
West Vancouver is famous for protecting its quiet, single-family neighborhoods. So, how did a project this big get the green light? The Trade-Off: To get permission to build this density, the developer agreed to transfer 1,500 acres of private land back to the District for permanent conservation.
For Residents: This saves the "Upper Lands" (the forest above the highway) from urban sprawl forever.
For Investors: It concentrates growth in one specific area, preserving the exclusivity of the surrounding neighborhoods.
3. Why This Changes the Market
Historically, if you wanted a "walkable" lifestyle in West Van, you had to live in Ambleside or Dundarave. Cypress Village creates a third hub.
New Supply: West Van has had very low housing inventory for years. This project introduces a steady pipeline of modern, lock-and-leave homes that appeal to both young families and downsizers.
Infrastructure: A project this size brings money for new roads, transit upgrades, and community centers that benefit the whole municipality.
4. "Getting In" Early
You don't have to wait 20 years to invest here. The "peripheral" neighborhoods (the areas right next to the future village) are selling now.
Current Projects: Developments like Hawksley, The Collection, and Alpine are essentially the "front row seats" to this future village.
The Logic: Buying here now is a bet on the future infrastructure. As the shops and schools get built over the next decade, the value of these early homes typically rises because the location becomes more desirable.
Analyst Verdict
I view Cypress Village as the necessary evolution of West Vancouver. It protects the mountains we love while finally providing the housing diversity we need. For investors, this is a long-term hold. You aren't just buying a condo; you are buying into the early stages of a brand-new town center.
About Matt Council
Matt Council is a top-performing North Vancouver Realtor and West Van specialist with a background in finance. He moves beyond the sales hype to offer clients a data-driven, pressure-free approach to buying and selling real estate on the North Shore. Whether you are evaluating a presale in Lower Lonsdale or a detached home in Lynn Valley, Matt helps you understand the numbers behind the move.
Thinking of making a move? Let’s run the numbers.