I am not the only one who enjoys encountering unique examples of architecture. I was accompanied in my quest to find the Harvard Biology Building with its intriguing doors, sculpted façades, and anatomically exact statues of rhinoceroses, by my (newly married) wife Poldi. That was the culmination of a scavenger hunt to locate a novel architectural feature that had been captured in an old photograph my grandfather had taken, soon after the building had been inaugurated. We really enjoyed the experience.

Recently, Poldi, while planning a trip that would take us through Vancouver British Columbia, learned of another unique building, built at about the same time. Our destination was Banff, but we had a day before our train’s departure, to explore this famous port city of western Canada. She encountered references to the “Marine Building”, an art deco monument completed in 1930. At the time, it was the tallest building in the city (22 stories), and it was intended to be a grand statement of the value of Vancouver, especially its importance as a major seaport. They thought of it as their version of the mighty Chrysler building in New York City, completed earlier that same year.

We had no trouble finding it, although it was covered in scaffolding, which interfered with the view from the street.  We learned that the scaffolding was for repairs to the building after a gas explosion had damaged it last year. The building was now functional enough that we could go in and admire it. Which we did. It took our breath away!

As an architect wannabe, it was a terrific experience to see the works of this earlier era, one which, even if the artistic craftsmanship were still in vogue, would no longer be possible to make.

Here are a few photos. Click on a thumbnail to enter the gallery, then scroll through.