Building named for an urban planner

When was the last time you heard of a building being named for an urban planner? That rare event has just occurred in Vancouver, British Columbia, where a 34-story glass tower, to be erected in the Yaletown section of downtown, is being called “The Beasley,” in tribute to Larry Beasley. As co-director of planning until he stepped down last year, Beasley helped to increase Vancouver’s downtown population substantially, in part by approving residential towers with shops and other features at their base. “The Beasley,” which includes 15 historic apartments, two stories of offices, shops, and 211 condominium units, is a project of Amacon, a Vancouver-based developer. It is expected to be ready for occupancy in the fall of 2010. Beasley is now Distinguished Practice Professor of Planning at the University of British Columbia, in addition to operating an international planning consultancy, Beasley and Associates.