Vancouver Art and Architecture

Vancouver Art & Architecture

“Architecture is a visual art, and the buildings speak for themselves,” quoted Julia Morgan

Art comes in many forms and if you are short on time check out some of the Vancouver Art and Architecture when you visit the city.

Surrey

We stayed in an Airbnb in Surrey close to Crescent Beach. A nice quiet suburb which would be fantastic in Summer for outdoor activities.

White Rock

We visited the nearby suburb of White Rock which takes its name from the large white boulder on the beach near the pier, “The 486-ton granite boulder was kept white by shellfish-eating seabirds whose guano covered the rock so much that 19th-century sailors used it as a beacon” Wikipedia The boulder is now kept white with paint.

White Rock P’Quals Promenade Sculptures

This was an outdoor art installation which showcased artists from across British Columbia with the theme paying homage to the water and the sea. Unfortunately it is now finished and wont be continued but it was a happy coincidence to stumble upon it.

Christmas Lights & Pier

There was a Christmas Light display which we had hoped to see in the dark but due to the rain we had to cut our visit short. We did get to see the longest pier in Canada, though once you’ve been to Busselton this one kind of paled in comparison.

Art & Architecture

Once  back in Vancouver City it was time to explore some of the different buildings in the area. One way to do this was to head up the Vancouver Lookout and you get a good 360degree view of the City.

The Dominion Building

The Dominion Building was Vancouvers first steel framed high rise finished in 1910 and currently listed as a heritage building. It has been used in a number of movies and tv shows. The Architecture style is called Second Empire which is an eclectic style of architecture and decorative arts.

Dominion Building in the Foreground & the Sun Tower rear right

The Sun Tower

The Sun tower formerly known as World Building it was completed in 1912 and was the tallest building in Vancouver in the Beaux-Arts architectural style. It was known for its faux patina steel dome which has been reclad in penny-coloured copper tiles. The exterior has 9 terracotta caryatids – naked female giures

The Harbour Centre

The Harbour Centre, classified as a skyscraper was opened in 1977. The Vancouver Lookout is on top the Centre and was opened by Neil Armstrong. The Centre is in the Brutalism/Modernist Architectural style and it is currently the tallest building in Vancouver.

The Harbour Centre

Gastown Steam Clock

Now as a person who loves clocks I had to check out the Gastown Steam clock. You would think that the steam clock is from the 19th century however this one is bult in 1977. It was built to cover a steam grate which is part of the cities steam heating system. It did incorporate a steam engine but is now powered by an electric motor. It has been in a scene from a Chuck Norris film and is on the cover of Here and Now album by Nickelback.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Canyon Lights

Capilano Canyon lights may or may not be considered art but it surely takes an art to hang them all.  The Christmas themed lights run from November to January. To view the lights you have a number of options walk across a suspension bridge that is 140 metres long and 70 metres above the Capilano River which also gives you access to Treetops Adventure. This consists of seven footbridges suspended between Douglas fir trees. There is also the Cliffwalk which is a cantilevered walkway above the Capilano Canyon. To find out more pop over to their website capbridge.com

Ice Hockey

Visiting the home of ice hockey, you need to go to at least one Ice hockey game.

The venue was The Rogers Centre which was within walking distance of our hotel, very convenient. The game was the Vancouver Canucks vs  Ottawa Senators. The Canucks won 6 – 3 what a game. With half time entertainment by Funkanometry.

Art

I had hoped to visit a few art galleries but time didn’t permit. I did see a few sculptures and art while out and about.

The City Central Hotel was in fact called The City Central Artist Lodge a place for artists which I found out after the fact. A bit guttered.

A brief look at some Vancouver Art and Architecture on the final instalment of blogs about our trip to British Columbia in December 2023 to January 2024. You can find the other blogs here and here.

Hope you enjoy the reads.