While visiting Vancouver, I was on a bit of a “check out some local sights” kick and thus, after reviewing TripAdvisor, ended up at the Marine Building. I was totally unprepared for what I was about to see. As I made my way to the building (just a short walk from the Burrard Skytrain station), I was expecting to see some art deco, yes (a major buzz word), and to take a few moments to admire the architecture and history; however, what I got was so much more than the opportunity to view an old stylish building. Instead, from the moment I walked under the main entrance arch, I found myself transported through time – a portal in which Vancouver’s rich maritime history is articulated and told through art.
Indeed, the Marine Building as art and history is probably one of the better ways to understand and appreciate what so many have called an “art deco masterpiece.” Opened in 1930 and standing at a height of 321 feet, this architectural marvel was the tallest skyscraper in Vancouver and the British Empire at the time – until 1929. According to the building’s architects, it was built as a kind of monument to the city’s maritime history: the entrance arch features Captain Vancouver’s ship sailing out of a sunrise, surrounded by West Coast flora and fauna, tinted green like the sea. The interior lobby, likewise, is rich with history. The ceiling and walls are rich with maritime history while the lobby floor is inlaid with the signs of the zodiac. The stained glass windows high above allows natural light to filter in. Indeed, it’s easy to get “lost” in the beauty of this space. I spent probably a good 45 minutes here admiring the art deco in all of its splendor . . . and waiting for the hordes of Chinese tourists to clear out!
Admittedly, as I wandered throughout the lobby and made my way to the second floor viewing area, I couldn’t help but liken the overall structure to that of the Empire State Building – at least as far as the art deco goes, what with its flair and high level of ornamentation (which proved quite costly at the height of the Great Depression). The symbolism of the Marine Building is tough to miss: progress and, more specifically, progress for the city of Vancouver. The detail found both externally and internally speaks as much: Ship to Zeppelin to Railway. Thus, there is much more to the building than first meets the eye.
[A random aside: The elevators, in a way, remind me of The Shining . . . and, yes, I know those elevators are red, but still!]
I should note, by way of conclusion, that the Marine Building is still very much an active office building, so please do mind the workers on the upper levels. In a way, the fact that this architectural masterpiece is still an active workplace adds to its rich history. Upon its construction some 87 years ago, this building was meant to reflect Vancouver’s importance as a transportation hub of rail and sea. In the modern day, it reflects what the city has become: Corporate. A city of glass.