It’s no secret Vancouver’s skyline is outlined with tall buildings - but there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to these vertical city landmarks. Our real estate experts have rounded up the 10 tallest towers in Vancouver to share a few fun facts on each.
Shangri-La VancouverÂ
Floors: 62
Height: 659 feet
Year Built: 2008
The Shangri-La houses 5-star hotel and offices on the first 15 floors and condominiums in the rest of the tower. At 62 storeys, construction of the tower was no easy feat. It required 3.1 million man-hours of employment and at its peak, 1,000 workers were on site constructing one floor per week. In addition, it set Vancouver’s record for both the deepest excavation and height, previously set by One Wall Centre. Today, the Shangri-La is the tallest and one of the most prestigious buildings in the city.
Paradox Hotel Vancouver
Floors: 60
Height: 616 feet
Year Built: 2016
The Paradox Hotel, formerly known as Trump Tower, speaks luxury all the way, from its bathrooms encased in dark marble, to the well-known Mansion Nightclub. The triangular tower was designed by famed architect Arthur Erickson, the creative mind behind Eppich House II. Â
One Burrard PlaceÂ
Floors: 54
Height: 550 feet
Year Built: 2021
Steps from the stately Burrard Street Bridge, the skyscraper spans the entire 1200 block of Hornby Street. Designed by the world renowned IBI Group Architects, One Burrard Place was created to deliver Vancouver with an elite residential tower with breathtaking views of the city, sea, and mountains from every suite. While the original tower sold out in record time, 2 Burrard Place is coming soon.
The Private Residences at Hotel Georgia
Floors: 48
Height: 518 feet
Year Built: 2012
Standing tall as one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, The Private Residences at Hotel Georgia is a new addition adjacent to the historic hotel. The views of Mount Seymour and Grouse Mountain are no mistake. The geometry of the building goes beyond design aesthetic to provide premium views and shading for parts of the building by canting outward for the first 35 floors, then receding for the top 12 while balconies project outward.
Vancouver House
Floors: 49
Height: 493 feet
Year Built: 2019
Awarded Future Project of the Year at the World Architecture Awards in 2015, Vancouver House is more than just a tall tower – its design was meant to be a work of art. It's shape was based on a triangle rising from the ground and transitioning gradually to a rectangle as it reaches its peak.Â
One Wall Centre
Floors: 48
Height: 491 feet
Year Built: 2001
One Wall Centre, also known as the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, is a 48-story skyscraper comprised of its ultra-lux, 4 Diamond Sheraton Hotel, Club Intrawest Resort, residential homes. Although the tower is now one shade of glass, it wasn’t always that way. At the beginning, a concern of the City of Vancouver was that the tower would be obtrusive to the skyline, so it was designed with light glass windows to blend in with the blue sky. The light glass was replaced with the same dark glass in 2013.
Shaw Tower
Floors: 41
Height: 489 feet
Year Built: 2004
The Shaw Tower is a mixed use building with 16 storeys of offices at its base and topped with 24 storeys of luxury condominiums. It was once Vancouver's tallest buildings in Vancouver prior to the Shangri-La, but is now sixth on our list. The tower stands out in the night sky for the signature green and blue strip of light, installed by Diana Thater, running all the way up the building.
Harbour Centre
Floors: 21
Height: 481 feet
Year Built: 1977
Steps from Waterfront Station, the Harbour Centre is one of Vancouver's most recognized buildings for its 360-degree Lookout Tower that sits atop the building. The building itself is made up of 21 floors in total. However, when we include the Vancouver Lookout, its true height is closer to 44. This Lookout has continued to serve as a tourist attraction and was officially opened by Neil Armstrong in 1977.
MNP Tower
Floors: 36
Height: 469 feet
Year Built: 2015
The MNP Tower is a modern office space located in Coal Harbour. This glass tower sits next to the historic Marine building, creating a juxtaposition of historical brick and modern glass facades. Standing effortlessly in Vancouver’s skyline, its construction was technically challenging, it required the preservation of the heritage façade of the University Club at ground level, installing curved and shingled glass, plus multiple renovations to surrounding buildings, all on a tight and busy site.
The Melville
Floors: 43
Height: 464 feet
Year Built: 2007
Coal Harbour's skyline has is marked by the 43-storey residential skyscraper, The Melville, flanked on each side by its water and city views. There is also a smaller building as connected to the Melville, that serves as the location of the Vancouver's Loden Hotel.Â
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