Burrard Street at West Hastings
Vancouver, BC
Structure: steel frame; terra cotta cladding
Completed 1929
Architects: McCarter and Nairne
Style: Art Deco
Perhaps Canada's best Art Deco skyscraper, the Marine Building's exterior is executed in
terra cotta and graced with elaborate ornamentation and maritime motifs, lending the
impression of a gigantic gingerbread tower at the foot of Vancouver's downtown peninsula. (Actually, the
gingerbread impression wasn't intended; what looks like icing is actually supposed to represent seaweed).
The top two storeys once served as the owner's penthouse residence, but are now rented as
offices. A 10-storey wing extends to the north. The tower was commissioned by Vancouver's
Guinness family, which had built Vancouver's Lion's Gate Bridge. This is by far my
favourite building in my hometown out west.
Photos courtesy Nalyd, http://webs.ii.ca/nalyd/skyscrapers
Copyright © 2001, by Eddy M. Elmer
Permanent URL: http://www.eddyelmer.com/architecture/marine.htm