Vancouver Skyline Picture

Just 44 square miles in size, the city of Vancouver, British Columbia is a densely populated metropolis. The Vancouver skyline is home to many high-rise buildings that creates a beautiful panorama. Though not as crowded as say New York City, Vancouver has relied on high-rise architecture to accommodate a steadily growing population. The history of this great city is reflected in its people, places and the skyline.

Some Vancouver History

Carved from the great conifer forests of British Columbia and part of the Lower Mainland of Canada, Vancouver has been a center of trade since the first Europeans arrived in the late 1700s. Positioned along a seacoast provided early traders with access to the surrounding coastline. The 1800s brought a series of events that turned Vancouver inside out and set the stage for future development. Timber, fur, mining and fishing became the principle economic drivers but these more traditional industries were overtaken by financial firms.

In 1858 the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush brought a flood of people to the area, all hoping to strike it rich. Immigrants from all over the world made the journey to British Columbia swelling the population of the area from less than 1000 to over 30,000 in just a few weeks time. The 1880s saw the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway which was connected to the transcontinental railway that spanned the United States. Despite the Fraser Canyon gold rush, the population of Vancouver had fallen to around 1000 people by 1886.

A fire destroyed much of Vancouver in 1886 though the city was rebuilt. By the turn of the Twentieth Century the population had grown to around 20 thousand. The growth continued unabated and the population of Vancouver rose to over one hundred thousand by 1911. Today, Vancouver is home to over 580,000 people with over 2 million people living in the metropolitan Vancouver area.

The Vancouver Skyline

With the tree covered mountains of British Columbia in the background, the Vancouver skyline reflects the trend towards very dense high rise construction. Beautiful examples of Edwardian design can be found everywhere in the core of the city. In addition to classic architecture, many of Vancouver's high-rise buildings feature very modern and contemporary designs. The lack of building space within Vancouver means that the trend towards high-rise construction will continue with over a dozen high-rise buildings in the planning stages.

The Living Shangri-La

Standing over 650 feet over West Georgia Street, the Living Shangri-La is a mixed use building. With 62 floors, the building offers residential, office commercial space. The stylish angular design is highlighted by public gardens. The newest building on the Vancouver skyline, the Living Shangri-La was scheduled to be completed in 2008.

The Fairmont Hotel

From its completion in 1939 until 1972, the Fairmont Hotel stood as the tallest building in Vancouver. Also referred to as the Hotel Vancouver, this landmark building stands over 360 feet above the center of the city. Though not considered a skyscraper in the classic sense, this historic hotel is no less than spectacular. The Van under went a sizable renovation during the 1990s and remains a popular destination and stopover for visitors from all over the world.

One Wall Centre

Another jewel along the Vancouver skyline is One Wall Centre. As a Sheraton hotel, One Wall Centre features over 700 guest rooms, restaurants and private residential accommodations. Though less than 500 feet tall, the gleaming, curved glass exterior stands out along the crowded skyline. Despite the buildings relative lack of height compared to other skyscrapers, One Wall Centre features a unique ballast system that counter acts the effects of high winds, preventing the building from swaying.

Harbor Centre

Towering above the business and financial district is the most distinctive and recognizable feature of the Vancouver skyline. At just over 480 feet, the Harbor Centre features a massive observation deck that provides visitors with magnificent panoramic views of the city. In addition to the observation deck, the building features a revolving restaurant. Completed in 1977, the night time lighting effects guarantee that Harbor Centre remains the center of attention along the skyline of Vancouver.

Vancouver Sports

Hockey is the sport of choice in Canada and Vancouver is home to one of the premier hockey franchises. The Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League NHL play in General Motors Place. Completed in 1995, this modern sports venue can seat over 16,000 hockey fans. GM Place will play a major part in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The Canadian Football League CFL plays American-style football and Vancouver is home to the British Columbia Lions. Founded in 1954, the BC Lions are one of the oldest and most successful franchises in the CFL.