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In the course of our daily reporting, we often uncover unusual projects, places, or connections that don't make the final cut. Instead of keeping it to ourselves, we're pleased to share our Architrivia.
After purchasing The Vancouver World newspaper in 1905, future Mayor L.D. Taylor knew that its headquarters needed to be of a monumental scale. Skyscrapers — symbols of economic power and wealth — were ideal ways of expressing the influence of well-known corporations to the populace. Proposed as the tallest building in the British Empire, and high enough for it to be visible throughout the newspaper's circulation area, the 82-metre World Tower at West Pender and Beatty Streets was completed in 1912.
Having already designed major buildings like the original Woodward's and what is now known as the Pennsylvania Hotel, architect William Tuff Whiteway was appointed to the project. Anchored by an eight-storey L-shaped block and topped by a nine-storey hexagonal tower, the structure culminates in a Beaux-Arts dome and cupola. Contrary to popular belief, the green roof is actually simply painted steel, designed to resemble patinated copper.
Nine terracotta caryatids sculpted by Canadian artist Charles Marega define the cornice of the tower. At the time of its unveiling, these decorative elements caused a stir among the more conservative members of the community, who criticized the partially clad seductive nature of the female figures. Nonetheless, the Edwardian Commercial Style building was just as Taylor advertised: grand, ornate, and highly visible.
When the Vancouver Sun acquired the building in 1937, it was renamed. As if the size of the building wasn't enough of an attention-grabber, the prolific newspaper also installed glowing neon signage and a large illuminated globe on the exterior. Despite The Sun since relocating, the tower has retained its namesake. Historically, the building pioneered the expansion of the city's business district eastwards, where residential hotels and warehouses had comprised the majority of new development.
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