SEE OUR EUROPEAN PORTFOLIO!
OUR UNIQUE MODEL
CREATIVE
SUSTAINABLE
SOCIAL
Downtown New Westminster is going through the exciting process of gentrification. Rich in history and geographically strategic, New Westminster has always served as an anchor to the province, first as its capital, then as the "first Vancouver". While the city experienced a down season as the Lower Mainland expanded in all directions, it is now going through a resurgence and recapturing its founding charm.
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Hive City was established to contribute to the city's new energy and development. Of first priority was to maintain a vital link to New Westminster's rich heritage of buildings. Located at 613 Front Street on the Cunningham block—first built in 1890 and then rebuilt in 1899 after the Great Fire—Hive City has been renovated to preserve the beautiful historical character of the building while utilizing modern architectural design motifs and elements. We believe it's an exciting, leading-edge space of how the old and new can be brought together in a compelling way. We are big believers in heritage revitalization.
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We also want to add to the economy of the city. As such, we are starting a design business that utilizes premium paperboard technology as our primary substrate and medium. It represents a timely renewable strategy that helps companies leverage recyclable paper to create everything from retail and conference displays to furniture to toys. Green is mean.
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our
MISSION & VISION
Hive City exists to serve the city through business, educational, and social platforms. As such it brings together elements that represent a new kind of collective that is designed to add vitality and vibrancy to New Westminister and beyond. Because we believe GENEROSITY is what makes life special, we are excited to be a 100% BUSINESS, 100% SOCIAL initiative. All our profits go towards resourcing and funding social, non-profit, and entrepreneurial causes in New West and beyond.
MEET THE
LEADERSHIP
TEAM
Dr. rich kao
Founder & CEO,
Hive.City
Dr. rich kao
Chief Executive Officer
Rich gets the privilege of managing the talented and energetic crew at Hive City. After being in management for 25 years in the for-profit and non-profit sectors, he knows there's nothing like working with those that want to change the world. Rich is also author of "Disruptive Leadership - Apple and Technology of Caring Deeply," a book which explores key principles behind organizational effectiveness.
Maximilian Hansen
CEO and Chief Design Officer,
Nordwerk Design
Formerly a Lecturer at Dresden University of Technology and UNESCO engineer, Max founded Nordwerk Design in Germany with the goal of bringing cutting-edge design to built environments. Serving blue-chip clients like Mercedes-Benz, Adidas, and Adobe, Nordwerk Design was recently recognized with the 2018 German Design Award for best retail architecture. Max loves to travel, understand new cultures, and is passionate about craftsmanship and excellence in architecture.
maximilian hansen
Chief Design Officer
karmen Hansen
Director of Marketing & Business Development
Karmen comes from a diverse background working in all kinds of industries including dental and medical equipment sales, not-for-profit, banking and now sales and marketing at Hive City. She loves design and art but her passion is to work with people and find creative solutions. Thoroughly enjoying the neighbourly vibes and rich history of New West, Karmen finds her home here. She is excited to add to the creative culture and be a part of the action in downtown New West.