Central Vancouver in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)

B.C. Electric Building

City of Vancouver Heritage Building

— Architects: Sharp and Thompson Berwick Pratt —

B.C. Electric Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 9, 2010

1. B.C. Electric Building Marker

Inscription. This landmark building, completed in 1957 as the head office for BC Electric Company, is a significant example of the Internationalist style of modern architecture. Floors are cantilevered from a central load bearing concrete core and supported by slender perimeter columns. The lobby, plaza and elevator penthouse feature richly coloured glass mosaic tiles by local artist B.C. Binning. Conversion of the building to residential use required replacement of the exterior curtain wall. Renovation of the building was designed by Paul Merrick Architects and completed in 1995 by Harrowton Development Corporation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Vancouver, City of Vancouver Heritage Buildings series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.

Location. 49° 16.878′ N, 123° 7.528′ W. Marker is in Vancouver, British Columbia, in Metro Vancouver. It is in Central Vancouver. It is at the intersection of Burrard Street and Nelson Street, on the right when traveling north on Burrard Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or

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near this postal address: 989 Nelson Street, Vancouver BC V6Z 2R4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on British Columbia’s Lower Mainland

and in Coast & Mountains.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The First Mail Delivery (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); "O Canada" House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Vogue Theatre / Le Théâtre Vogue (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Orpheum Theatre (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); George Leslie's Lane Cottage (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Power Block (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Hotel Vancouver (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Hotel Georgia (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vancouver.

B.C. Electric Building Marker - Wide view from across Burrard Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 9, 2010

2. B.C. Electric Building Marker - Wide view from across Burrard Street

The marker is barely visible in this view, attached to the corner column, about 6 feet above the ground.

B.C. Electric Building - View looking up from the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 9, 2010

3. B.C. Electric Building - View looking up from the marker

Height: 21 stories. 89 meters. 293 feet.

The B.C. Electric Building (1957), aka The Electra Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 9, 2010

4. The B.C. Electric Building (1957), aka The Electra Building

View of the Electra Building from Nelson Street looking southeast across Burrard Street. The building on the left is the First Baptist Church (1910).

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,580 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 27, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.