Vancouver city council is moving ahead with plans to explore pod hotel development.

Councillors approved a motion that instructs city staff to examine ways to develop pod hotels as Vancouver prepares to host such major international events as the 2025 Invictus Games and soccer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Administrators to weigh the pros and cons of converting extra office space temporarily or permanently to pod hotels.

Vancouver faces a severe hotel shortage in coming years and pod hotel redevelopments would allow supply to be constructed more quickly than traditional hotels.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and advancement of the hybrid-work movement, Vancouver was a North American bastion of low office vacancy. But the delivery of new supply that was in the pipeline before the pipeline has increased availability, particularly in B and C class buildings.

All other B.C. municipalities can legally convert office space to hotel use with only project-based building structural upgrades to ensure life safety and reduce earthquake hazard. But according to the motion, Vancouver’s building by-law requires costly full building upgrades for office-to-hotel conversions.

Pod hotels originated in Japan, where they are quite common, and have gained niches in other parts of Asia and Europe.

Rooms are quite small and often contain bunk beds, according to reports. As in a youth hotel or college dormitory, dining areas, washrooms and bathing facilities are located in other parts of the building. Pod hotels are also known as capsule hotels.

Although the spaces might pose challenges for tall guests, the rooms are popular because of their affordable rates. Two prominent pod hotels are located in and near Metro Vancouver.

The Pangea Pod Hotel opened in the resort town of Whistler, B.C., in 2018 as a strata residential property was converted to hospitality use. The Panda Pod Hotel opened in the Vancouver suburb of Richmond, B.C., in 2019, replacing a thrift store and condominium development presentation centre.

Council’s approval of the motion was expected because the two councillors backing it, Sarah Kirby-Yung and Lisa Dominato, are members of the governing ABC Party that holds a vast majority.

Photo: Tourism Richmond