Ocean Towers

Mid-century residential buildings

Before 1956 if you’d wanted to build an 18-story waterfront tower in Vancouver’s residential West End it wasn’t possible, but adjustments to the city zoning regulations by a progressive City Council changed all that and by 1958 the first residential high-rise at English Bay  went up.

And what a building it was… and still is!

Designed by Rix Reinecke of the architectural design firm Chow, Nelson & Reinecke, this sleek concrete structure sits on a long, narrow footprint (similar to that of the BC Electric/Hydro building) and evokes the feel of an easy ocean breeze; International Style in nature but with beautiful, curvaceous stepped awnings between each floor mimicking the waves of its breathtaking ocean views.

Later on, the Ocean Towers would become one of the first buildings in the city to convert to Co-op tenant ownership, predating the Strata Titles Act of the late ’60s.

Located West of Denman, in Vancouver’s West End.