In the eight months since our last update, construction crews at the site of Vancouver's next major office tower have made major progress. A tower crane and a concrete core are the most obvious additions to 601 West Hastings, with visible construction now surpassing the property's hoarding.

601 West Hastings rendering, image via PCI Developments

The most recent images from the corner of West Hastings and Seymour Street show the placement of the 25-storey office tower's elevator core, which hugs the adjacent property to the west. This arrangement pushes the office spaces to the street, maximizing views through floor-to-ceiling windows.

601 West Hastings construction, image by Forum contributor City Of Rain

Designed by B+H Architects for PCI Developments, the tower's structural expression is carved away at the southeast corner, sheltering an airy public plaza that will be animated by ground-level retail, landscaping and a full-height water feature. This renewed public plaza replaces the former space and large glass dome that had shielded it.

The coming months will see the floor plates start to take shape, with cladding installation to follow. The building's exterior mullions, likened to the fine stitching of a suit, are designed to catch and reflect sunlight. 

601 West Hastings public plaza, image via PCI Developments

The tower began construction on spec, an auspicious sign of Vancouver's low office vacancy rate and unmet demand for modern workplaces. Completion of 601 West Hastings has been targeted for 2021.

Additional information and images can be found in our Database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment in the space provided at the bottom of this page.