Few buildings have contributed more to the cityscape than the Shangri-La Vancouver. The 62-storey, 197-metre-tall tower is the tallest building in the city and province, and it took seven years to see the plan jump off the blueprints and into reality. The mixed-use development by Westbank has been part of Vancouver's urban fabric for nearly ten years now, and in this week's Throwback Thursday, we explore how the intersection of Thurlow and Alberni has been irrevocably changed.

Living Shangri-La hoarding in February 2006, image by Flickr user Jordan Dawe via Creative Commons

Hoarding erected on the site over a decade ago advertised what was to come: a signature hotel and 307-unit condominium that would forever alter the state of the streetscape. Digging a hole 26 metres down — setting the record for the city's deepest excavation — over 15,000 truckloads of earth were excavated. While the structure hadn't yet appeared above the hoarding in the photo above, dated February 2006, the site's tower cranes were visible.

Living Shangri-La construction in November 2006, image by Flickr user Jordan Dawe via Creative Commons

By November, the corner of Thurlow and Alberni was looking much different, with the first asymmetrical floor plates climbing above the intersection. The design by James K.M. Cheng Architects would begin to reveal itself when glazing installation commenced, and the $350 million project was completed in 2008.

The West Georgia Street frontage, image retrieved from Google Street View

Visible in both 'now' photos above and below, the building applies a grid of colour-changing panels comprised of a luminescent coating, chromatic film and textured glass that absorbs light to glow during the day and night. Depending on weather conditions, the building can take on multiple identities. 

The completed tower, pictured from Thurlow and Alberni, image retrieved from Google Street View

Have an idea for a future Throwback Thursday? Let us know by leaving a comment below!