In 1939, Hotel Vancouver opened with a bold art moderne design for the lobby, restaurants and suites of the hotel, and a classic Adam brothers style for the ballroom and event floor… but that was only the beginning.
Spanning over eight decades, Hotel Vancouver’s design history tells a story of changing trends and lasting looks. What original design survived years of extensive renovations, changes in brand management, and conflicting visions for the future? We’re sharing photos and documents from our archives, some not seen publically in over 40 years, Vancouver Public Library’s archives, and the City of Vancouver’s archives to give a glimpse into how the hotel’s design got to where it is today.