A month since our last update, and progress at the site of 401 West Georgia has been moving along smoothly, the B+H Architects-designed future residence of Amazon's second Vancouver office now having risen well above grade. The nine-storey office block is located upon the former site of the BMO auxiliary complex, its removal earlier this year having opened up a large temporary open vista along the historic Holy Rosary Cathedral.

401 West Georgia, rising fast, image by Forum contributor Roundabout

Placed atop a former parking structure, and tucked between the cathedral and a cluster of downtown office buildings, 401 West Georgia's build site is a complex one to say the least. Nevertheless, the tower's ascent has been swift, the cropping up of rebar here and there across the site giving the impression that it will not be long now until a series of cement pours and timber framing sessions begin to give the building some real structure. 

Rebar awaiting cement, 401 West Georgia, image by Forum contributor Roundabout

401 West Georgia will be built as three distinct volumes, arranged as three oblong boxes stacked atop one another. Each stack - arranged as 4, 3, and 2 storeys apiece - will be home to a sizable amount of commercial office space, the ground level to include room for 6,600 square feet of amenity space alongside an undetermined amount of street-facing retail. 

Holy Rosary Cathedral, 401 West Georgia, image by Forum contributor Roundabout

The exterior will be made up of recessed window panes, separated by a continuous series of pronounced mullions. The overall effect will be quite striking, the office spaces to almost appear to be projected out into the streetscape. 

401 West Georgia, as it will appear upon completion, image via B+H Architects

SkyriseVancouver will be sure to return to this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Database file and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.