Marine Building facts for kids
The Marine Building is a famous skyscraper in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It's located at 355 Burrard Street in the downtown area. This amazing building was finished in 1930. When it first opened, it was the tallest building in Vancouver! The Marine Building is known for its beautiful Art Deco style. It's even considered one of the best Art Deco buildings anywhere. You'll see lots of cool ocean-themed decorations all over it. That's why it's called the Marine Building! Because it looks so unique, it has been used in many movies and TV shows.
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History of the Marine Building
Building a Vancouver Landmark
The idea for the Marine Building came from J.W. Hobbs. He was a businessman from Toronto. Mr. Hobbs knew that the Panama Canal opening in 1914 would make Vancouver a very important port city. He believed Vancouver needed a grand, special building. He wanted it to be as impressive as the Chrysler Building in New York City.
The job of designing this skyscraper went to McCartner Nairne and Partners. Interestingly, they had never designed a skyscraper before! Construction began on March 13, 1929. A local newspaper reported on this exciting day.
Yesterday morning, His Worship Mayor W.H. Malkin blew a blast on a golden whistle and with it set in motion the steam shovel that will excavate the site for the new Burrard Street Marine skyscraper.
The building was finished on October 7, 1930. It stood at 97.8 meters (22 floors) tall. This made it the tallest skyscraper in Vancouver. It held this title until 1939.
Ocean-Inspired Design and Details
The architects, McCarter & Nairne, wanted the building to look like "some great crag rising from the sea." They imagined it covered with sea plants and animals. They wanted it to be colored sea-green and touched with gold.
The building cost $2.3 million to build. This was more than they had planned! Because of the Great Depression, the building was later sold. The Guinness family from Ireland bought it for only $900,000.
There used to be a viewing deck at the top. You could pay 25 cents to go up. But during the Great Depression, not many people could afford the ticket. Today, there are no public viewing areas in the building.
Inside the Marine Building
Inside the Marine Building, you'll find amazing details. The large elevator doors are made of shiny brass. The walls inside the elevators are decorated with 12 different kinds of local hardwood.
Everywhere you look, you'll see ocean creatures. There are sea snails, crabs, turtles, and sea horses. You can also spot old forms of transportation from that time. The floor in the lobby even shows the signs of the zodiac. The outside of the building also has many sea-themed decorations. They are tinted sea-green and touched with gold.
From 1982 to 1989, the building was updated. They improved the electrical and air-conditioning systems. The original "battleship linoleum" floor in the lobby was replaced with beautiful marble. A former business area is now a restaurant called Tractor Foods.
Gallery
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Marine Building in 1929.
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Marine Building in 2006, as seen from the intersection of Burrard and Pender Streets.
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One of the tiles depicting maritime history.
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External wall depiction of zeppelin, a mode of flight at the time.
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Marine building from West Hastings Street.
