In the four months since our last update, progress has been moving along steadily at the site of Parq Vancouver, the multi-tower "Urban Resort" designed by ARCOP + acdf and IBI/HB Architects for Paragon Development and Dundee Corporation in downtown Vancouver. With its signature two-toned glass curtain wall now in place around a large portion of the structure, and the development's dual hotel towers rising far above the common podium level, Parq Vancouver is beginning to take shape in a major way, as the intervening four months have been witness to non-stop construction. 

Parq Vancouver, three-quarter view, image by Forum contributor mcminsen

Parq Vancouver is comprised of two conjoined hotel towers anchored by a common base, the tallest of which will top out at 25 storeys. Early renderings of the project appeared to represent three towers, with the two-toned glazing creating a visual break between opposing facades of the larger tower. 

Parq Vancouver, shown with "three" towers, image via Paragon

Set for occupation by two separate hotel chains, the JW Marriott and The Douglas, Parq Vancouver will be home to a combined total of 517 hotel rooms, along with an attached casino and convention centre. These facilities and the planned inclusion of drinking, dining, and retail spaces will bring the massive development up to a grand total of 800,000 square feet of space. Adjacent to BC Place, and within easy walking distance to transit, Parq Vancouver, built near the heart of downtown, will likely be a big draw for tourists and business travellers alike.

Glass curtain wall climbing up the tower, image by Forum contributor mcminsen

Moving around to the stadium side of the development, the interaction between Parq Vancouver and the adjacent BC Place becomes immediately evident. The new structure is built to the edge of the stadium, giving resident sports fans and concert-goers easy access to the venue. Viewed below, the contrast between the rust-coloured glass curtain wall and the much more standard, blue-grey tint of the tower cladding can be appreciated, with the two working together to make Parq Vancouver a standout addition to the local skyline. 

Parq Vancouver and BC Place, image by Forum contributor mcminsen

Once complete, Parq Vancouver will be a welcome addition to the local skyline and cityscape. The grounds surrounding BC Place, the one-time home of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and current popular sports and entertainment complex, are currently undergoing a development boom. The iconic stadium will soon be all but erased from view thanks to the non-stop building that has defined the city for more than a decade. 

SkyriseCities 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.