City: Downtown
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The 9 Best Architectural Buildings in Downtown, Canada
Vancouver was founded as “Gastown” by an Englishman with a penchant for beer and storytelling. Today Gastown is a historic section of the Canadian metropolis, and the lively pubs still reflect the area’s former status as a sort of community drinking center. The city’s forests, grand parks, and impressive suspension bridge beckon travelers to explore them, as do the city’s shops and museums. Relive the glory of the 2010 Winter Games with visits to Olympic venues and the marvelous Olympic Cauldron.
Restaurants in Vancouver
1. Marine Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 458 reviews
Reviewed By APP06 - Cambridge, United Kingdom
With so many new highrise buildings going up in Downtown Vancouver you could be forgiven for missing this architectural gem. In fact we nearly did but we were drawn by the impressive entrance (see photo) containing such intricate detail. Once there we read the informative plaque and then went inside to be greeted by a most impressive Art Deco interior. Completed just before major recession hit there is so much impressive detail inside the building including the airy windows and the lifts. We spent a pleasant 20 minutes or so looking around and there is no charge so why not have a look? A pleasant oasis of Old Vancouver amidst so much of the new!
2. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,549 reviews
The Garden is temporarily closed and will reopen in 2021. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a site of cultural heritage, learning, and reflection in Vancouver's historic Chinatown. Modeled after Ming Dynasty private scholar’s gardens, it is the first of its kind built outside of China. This neighbourhood gem has been named one of the world's "Top City Gardens" by National Geographic.
Reviewed By stellamarina00
This is a small, peaceful place you can explore at your own pace. I think the small size is actually a pro. The guide was really great, and unless you are very knowledgeable on traditional Chinese culture, symbolism etc., I strongly recommend taking the guided tour. When I visited the tea ceremony was unfortunately not available. I would come back in the future both for that and to see the garden in a different season (still enjoyable in winter though).
3. Cathedral Place
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Samson360 - Vancouver, Canada
Located in the busy Vancouver City Centre, visitors are easy to find it at West George Street and Hornby Street. It is a 23-story building mixed with commercial and cultural components. The sitting area at the ground floor is comfortable. The cafe inside the lobby provides a good atmosphere and you may sit there, enjoy a cup of coffee while browsing at the beautiful decoration. This is really a gem in this famous Downtown area.
4. Waterfront Station
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 185 reviews
Reviewed By pratiknruparel - Calgary, Canada
This is the first/last station for the Vancouver sky-train! Very nice architecture and very scenic! Could be crowded if visited during certain time of the day but still worth visiting!
5. Hudson Bay Company
6. Hotel Europe
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 28 reviews
Once billed as the best hotel in the city, this 1908 flatiron building is one of the world's best examples of this style of triangular architecture. Now used for government-subsidized housing and not open to the public, the hotel still has its original Italian tile work and lead-glass windows. The glass tiles in the sidewalk on Alexander Street once provided light for an underground saloon.
Reviewed By WorldTravelers34 - Chicago, United States
The six-storey flatiron building at the convergence of Water, Alexander and Powell Streets in Gastown is the old Hotel Europe. It's also known as the Angelo Calori Building, after the hotelier who had it built in 1909. The areaways were filled in and bricked up many years ago. What remains of the cellar is used for storage. And the upper floors of the building were converted into subsidized housing units in 1983. Some locals believe that The Hotel Europe houses one ghost for sure and possibly two.
