Guinness Tower

Mid-century modern buildings & art

Distinctive for its ocean green rectangular enamel panels that alternate with its glass facade, the Guinness Tower was designed by Charles Paine, circa 1967-69, and is one of the city’s finest examples of the International Style.

The 23-story tower is located in downtown Vancouver’s financial district and adjacent to the equally modernist Oceanic Plaza.

Its main lobby boasts a gorgeous mid-century ceramic mural by Spanish-born Quebec artist Jordi Bonet entitled “The Fathomless Richness of the Seabed,” a natural fit for this West Coast modern city.

Adjacent to the tower, at the corner of West Hastings & Thurlow Streets, is another piece of modern art; “Nike,” the Greek Goddess of victory, a contemporary abstract sculpture by Pavlos Angelos Kougiomtzis and a gift from the ancient city of Olympia in honor of Vancouver’s 2010 Winter Olympics.

Chewie’s Steam & Oyster Bar is also located in the Guinness Tower if you’re in the mood for Cajun.

Visited 8023 times, 3 Visits today

Tagged In Architecture,Building,charles paine,Guinness Tower,jordi bonet,MCM,Mid Century Modern,Modernism,modtraveler,modtraveler.net,office building,Retro,sculpture,The Fathomless Richness of the Seabed,Vancouver and Vintage

Related Listings

Arthur Erickson Place

1075 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada

View More Details

Mid-century brutalist buildings Designed in 1965 by noted architect Arthur Erickson (along with Geoffrey Massey) for the Canadian forestry company of the building’s original namesake, MacMillan Bloedel, the two offset… Read more…

Beach Towers

1600 Beach Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada

View More Details

Mid-century residential buildings Designed by Ojars Kalns (CBK Van Norman & Associates) and built in 1965, with a fourth tower added [to the original three] north of Harwood Street in… Read more…