News HR News
New 33-storey office tower opens in downtown Vancouver

The Vancouver Centre II, a 33-story office tower on Seymour Street in downtown Vancouver, is now open and already has a number of tenants.

“With the opening of Vancouver Centre II, we celebrate the evolution of the Vancouver Centre complex into an amenity-rich, spacious, and sustainable office development,” said Glenn Way, executive vice-president and chief operating officer, at GWL Realty Advisors. “Together with our owners, we built a leading-edge smart and sustainable building that supports forward-thinking organizations that want to provide employees with inviting, engaging and comfortable spaces.”

Underground connections to transit

Located in the new core of the city’s central business district, the Vancouver Centre complex includes VCII, Scotia Tower, and Vancouver Centre Mall. It features a direct, underground connection to two SkyTrain lines and available EV charging stations. The office building is owned in part by the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).

“HOOPP is focused on investing in high quality, sustainable buildings within our real estate portfolio, so we’re delighted to be an owner of Vancouver Centre II, a state-of-the-art building with a world-class partner and manager in GWL Realty Advisors,” said Eric Plesman, senior managing director and head of global real estate, HOOPP. “We believe this amenity-rich, multi-purpose office tower is a great addition to the skyline of the growing and thriving City of Vancouver, and that it will deliver long-term value to our members, the healthcare workers of Ontario.”

Vancouver Centre II’s public atrium includes a new work of art from Douglas Coupland (CNW Group/GWL Realty Advisors)

A centrepiece of the new workplace is Spawn, a 30-foot stainless steel salmon that “swims through the air” above the atrium. It’s designed by Vancouver artist Douglas Coupland.

“Mythologically, fish represent the soul. What is Vancouver’s soul? We are lucky to live in the city we do, but it’s a privilege, not a right to be here,” said Coupland. “Part of that privilege is a pact between us and nature — that we nurture it alongside our metropolitan lives, and that we never think of ourselves as being the more important side of the equation.”

Anchor tenants and amenities

VCII is welcoming anchor tenants Kabam, Sandstorm Gold Royalties, Owen Bird, and PI Investments. Tenants have access to multiple amenities, including the 29th floor Skyline Rooftop Deck and a private fitness facility with changerooms, showers, and end-of-trip cycling facilities.

The building is dog friendly, and even boasts its own dog park.

VCII has been certified as SmartScore Platinum and WiredScore Gold, and the project team is also pursuing WELL Gold certification and LEED Platinum certification. GWLRA developed VCII on behalf of the project owners the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) and The Canada Life Assurance Company.

Representatives from GWL Realty Advisors, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), and the City of Vancouver officially open Vancouver Centre II (VCII) (CNW Group/GWL Realty Advisors)