INNOVATIVE HVAC SOLUTIONS FOR BOUTIQUE MIXED-USE SPACES - 510 SEYMOUR
The Challenge
Nestled in one of the fastest-growing areas of downtown Vancouver, 510 Seymour is a boutique, multi-use office, retail and educational building that was completed in 2016. The commercial building is part of the eastward shift of the Vancouver business district, and is conveniently located close to Simon Fraser University, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, the Skytrain, public amenities and shopping.
Serracan Properties, the developer of the project, was searching for a cost-effective heating and cooling solution for the small, 10-storey building. The system needed to accommodate high ceilings and have features and functionality that fit with the classy space, including low noise that wouldn’t disrupt the acoustics.
“One of the features of the Mitsubishi Electric system that was beneficial was the ability to have the energy billed floor per floor. Multiple tenants can be billed separately for a fairer distribution of energy costs.” JS Tessier, Principal Engineer, Integral Group
The Solution
After exploring different mechanical systems and options for heating and cooling, Serracan Properties decided on the Mitsubishi Electric Citi Multi Air Source Heat Pump System. The cost-effective solution was ideal for this project because it allows for individual monitoring and billing of energy consumption by floor. This means that the landlord can bill each tenant separately, which is an attractive feature for tenants who want to control their energy costs.
Another important factor was the energy efficiency of the Mitsubishi Electric system. Adler University, one of the main tenants, is LEED Gold certified. In order to maintain the certification, the heating and cooling system it uses needs to meet the LEED standards, which the Mitsubishi Electric system does.
The Results
The 510 Seymour project was completed successfully and is now a part of Vancouver’s vibrant downtown community. In addition to Adler University’s Vancouver campus, tenants include a restaurant, retail shops and a rooftop event space complete with a weather-protected barbecue area.
Summary
Mitsubishi Electric Burnaby
(MESCA-BC)
Integral Group
New construction of a boutique office building in downtown Vancouver required a system for heating and cooling that was cost-effective, energy efficient, quiet and able to work with its high ceilings.
- Acoustics
- Cost effectiveness
- Energy efficiency
- Adaptable to high ceilings
- Energy monitoring by floor
Vancouver, British Columbia
Mixed-use retail, office & education
82,000 square feet
Mitsubishi Electric Indoor Unit Models:
- 11 X PKFY-P*NHMU/NKMU
(wall mounted) - 90 X PEFY-P*NMAU/NMHSU
(ceiling concealed)
Mitsubishi Electric Outdoor Units Models:
- 19 X PURY-P*TKMU
- 2 X PUMP-P*NKMU/NHMU
510 Seymour was successfully completed in 2016 and houses several tenants, including a post-secondary institution, restaurant and retail shops.
FAQ's
What factors influenced the HVAC system selection for 510 Seymour?
The project required a system that could meet the building’s heating and cooling needs while supporting acoustics, energy efficiency, high-ceiling spaces and fair energy cost allocation across multiple tenants.
How does floor-by-floor energy monitoring benefit mixed-use commercial buildings?
Floor-by-floor energy monitoring allows landlords to bill tenants separately based on usage, creating a fairer distribution of energy costs across office, retail, education and hospitality spaces.
What HVAC considerations were important for a building like 510 Seymour?
Key considerations included low noise, energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, adaptability to high ceilings and the ability to support tenant comfort while meeting performance expectations such as LEED-related standards.