Last updated: 18 March 2021

must-see architecture in vancouver
Lucy-Claire

Vancouver is the largest city in Western Canada and is consistently recognized as one of the best cities in the world in terms of standard of living. Its geography, temperate climate, and cuisine provide a fantastic back-drop for any visit to the west coast.

Below is the MUST-SEE Architecture in Vancouver. I hope you find it useful as you explore everything the city has to offer (there’s a map at the bottom to guide you around). As you see with the date at the top, this list is always updating as new projects are completed. If you want to see your photo featured, hashtag #AVONTUURA on Instagram and I will try my best to include it.

Onwards!

Contemporary Architecture


Vancouver House

Practical Information

Architect: BIG Architects
Built: 2019
Type: Residential
Address: 1480 Howe St, Vancouver, BC
Open to the Public: No

Polygon Gallery

Practical Information

Architect: Patkau Architects
Built: 2017
Type: Gallery
Address: 101 Carrie Cates Ct, North Vancouver, BC V7M 3J4
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Open Thursdays to Sundays – refer to website
Website: https://thepolygon.ca/

Vancouver Convention Centre

 

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Practical Information

Architect: LMN, Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership , DA Architects & Planners
Built: 2009
Type: Convention Centre
Address: 999 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 3C1
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.vancouverconventioncentre.com

UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

 

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Practical Information

Architect: Saucier + Perotte Architectes
Built: 2012
Type: Institutional
Address: Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Open to the Public: No

Jameson House

 

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Practical Information

Architect: Foster + Partners
Built: 2012
Type: Housing
Address: 838 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 0A6
Open to the Public: No

UBC Earth Sciences Building

 

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Practical Information

Architect: Perkins + Will
Built: 2011
Type: Institutional
Address: 2260 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
Open to the Public: No

AMS Nest

 

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Practical Information

Architect: DIALOG, B+H
Built: 2015
Type: Institutional
Address: 6133 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Open to the Public: No

Langara College Library and Classroom Building

 

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Practical Information

Architect: Teeple Architects
Built: 2011
Type: Institutional
Address: 6655 Ontario St, Vancouver, BC V5X 3B2
Open to the Public: No

Newton Library

Practical Information

Architect: Patkau Architects
Built: 1992
Type: Library
Address: 13795 70 Ave, Surrey, BC V3W 0E1
Open to the Public: Temporary closed
Hours: n/a
Website: www.surreylibraries.ca/

VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre

 

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Practical Information

Architect: Perkins + Will
Built: 2011
Type: Visitor’s Centre
Address: 5251 Oak Street at West 37th Avenue
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Seasonal. Refer to website.
Cost: Spring/Winter/Fall $8, Summer $11
Website: www.vandusengarden.org

Modern Architecture


Museum of Anthropology

 

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Practical Information

Architect: Arthur Erickson
Built: 1976
Type: Museum
Address: 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily 10-5pm
Cost: $18
Website: www.moa.ubc.ca

Vancouver Public Library

Practical Information

Architect: Moshe Safdie, DA Architects
Built: 1995
Type: Museum
Address: 350 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6B1
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday to Thursday 10-9pm, Friday to Sunday 10-6pm
Cost: Free
Website: www.vpl.ca

Robson Square

Practical Information

Architect: Arthur Erickson
Built: 1983
Type: Civic Centre and Public Plaza
Address: 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
Open to the Public: Yes

Simon Fraser University, Burnaby Campus

Practical Information

Architect: Arthur Erickson, Geoffrey Massey
Built: 1963
Type: University Campus
Address: 8888 University Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6
Open to the Public: Yes

Architect: Perkins + Will
Built: 2011
Type: Visitor's Centre
Address: 5251 Oak Street at West 37th Avenue
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Seasonal. Refer to website.
Cost: Spring/Winter/Fall $8, Summer $11
Website: www.vandusengarden.org

Architect: Teeple Architects
Built: 2011
Type: Institutional
Address: 6655 Ontario St, Vancouver, BC V5X 3B2
Open to the Public: No

Architect: Foster + Partners
Built: 2012
Type: Housing
Address: 838 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 0A6
Open to the Public: No

Architect: DIALOG, B+H
Built: 2015
Type: Institutional
Address: 6133 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Open to the Public: No

Architect: Perkins + Will
Built: 2011
Type: Institutional
Address: 2260 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
Open to the Public: No

Architect: Arthur Erickson
Built: 1976
Type: Museum
Address: 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily 10-5pm
Cost: $18
Website: www.moa.ubc.ca

Architect: Saucier + Perotte Architectes
Built: 2012
Type: Institutional
Address: Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Open to the Public: No

Architect: Moshe Safdie, DA Architects
Built: 1995
Type: Museum
Address: 350 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6B1
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday to Thursday 10-9pm, Friday to Sunday 10-6pm
Cost: Free
Website: www.vpl.ca

Architect: LMN, Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership , DA Architects & Planners
Built: 2009
Type: Convention Centre
Address: 999 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 3C1
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.vancouverconventioncentre.com

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