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Vancouver Secrets #2 - That Famous Building with the Tree!

By
Real Estate Agent

If you live in Vancouver or at least had the pleasure of visiting English Bay, I'm sure you know which building I'm talking about. The Famous Building with the Tree!

I thought I'd share with you the story of the significance of this building and the tree - it's an interesting one.

The Euginia Building - 1919 Beach Avenue - a prestige building offering 17 unique homes (only 1 per floor). Built in 1991 and designed by Architect Richard Henriquez.

He wanted to somehow symbolize Vancouver's history, when Vancouver was little more than a clearing in a clearcut.

So how did he do that?

A few very creative ways.

First of all - the stone wall that you can see below that surrounds the tower reproduces the foundations of the four houses that once stood on the same location.

If you look closely at the picture above, you'll notice a few stumps lay scattered on the building's land - only this time they're concrete.

Most importantly - THE TREE! The tree on top is a Pin Oak and he planted it there for a reason. This famous tree reaches the same heights as the soaring virgin pines that originally stood on the English Bay shore.


So that, my friends, is the story of the famous building with the tree on top! What do you think? Do you think
Richard Henriquez did a good job of conveying Vancouver's history? I think he did - if you didn't know the story you would never think anything other than the fact that it's pretty cool to see such a big tree so high up. But after hearing the symbolism behind it - it just makes it that much more fabulous!

 

Here's an old shot courtesy of the Vancouver Archives you can see exactly what the neighbourhood used to look like back in 1919. I absolutely LOVE old pictures... this one is actually on my desktop as we speak! :) I hope you enjoyed and learned something new!

Posted by

 

Emily Read
Director of Marketing and Technology

Keller Williams Salt Lake City

  
www.KWSaltLake.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (12)

Jim Patton
Aspire Home Real Estate 209-404-0816 - Modesto, CA
Realtor - Stanislaus ,Merced, San Joaquin Counties

Thanks for the history lesson Emily.   I think Mr.Henriquez did a great job.  That is a cool building.

Apr 10, 2012 10:54 AM
Kamal Salim
United Realty Group - Weston, FL
A Superior Level of Service !

Thanx for the great story surrounding the famous building with the tree. Vancouver is a beautiful city, beautiful buildings, beautifil people, it is just plian great ! Thanx for sharing

Apr 10, 2012 11:00 AM
Emily Read
Salt Lake City, UT

Thanks Jim - I think so too!

Kamal - thank you for your kind words - from what I've heard, Florida isn't so bad either! :)

Apr 10, 2012 11:06 AM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Emily...Great bit of History, I'm sure many do not know, Nice of you to share the History of this complex and it's Tree

Apr 10, 2012 11:31 AM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Emily - I don't think, I have seen a tree on top of a building before. Thanks for detailed information and history on Vancouver.

Apr 10, 2012 01:46 PM
Anonymous
Ken

Did you know Emily.... that the name of the building was named after the developers mom!

Also the penthouse where that tree occupies was left unfinished for 4 or 5 years till until they decided to seel it off.

Apr 10, 2012 04:15 PM
#6
Janet Jones
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Hi Emily--that is a great story.  I have been to Vancouver many times and never seen that building.  Next time it is definitely on my list of things to do. 

Apr 10, 2012 06:08 PM
Emily Read
Salt Lake City, UT

Thanks Fred - glad you enjoyed!

John - I don't think I have either - pretty interesting isn't it?

Ken - I did NOT know that! I remember hearing rumours about the penthouse that Leonard Nimoy owned it.... 

Janet - Definitely check it out!! 

Apr 11, 2012 02:40 AM
Blatt + Cutino
Coldwell Banker Realty - Monterey, CA
Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*

We are currently in Vancouver on vacation. Yesterday we took a 5 hour bike ride around the city and Stanely Park. It was a beautiful day and beautiful city. I kept seeing this tree on that building. Thanks for your blog post. Good story!

Jun 06, 2015 11:09 PM
Anonymous
Mike Hawk code name Mike Hunt

Yes it is my favorite building and the penthouse is the Best of course! I was lucky to be able to purchase it and as the new owner I accept the responsibility to look after that beautiful Pine Oak that I love so very much! I worry during very strong wind storms that it will be OK! I'M VERY HAPPY to hear that so many people love it as much as I do! The Lord Jesus Christ has blessed me and blessed canada so we have to keep our country beautiful and get rid of this Traitor justin the retard PM.... Unfortunately alot of our politicians in the western world have been corrupted by Cash! We here need to follow the USA and Make Canada great again! But Harper retiring canada has taken a really bad turn for the worst. WE NEED TO VOTE IN A CONSERVATIVE and So do all the countries in the western world because the liberal/Democrat governments have been paid off by Billionaire Scum of the earth Gorge Soros!!!! He has said he will spend all his money to destroy America! The syrian Refugee crisis is his doing by paying off hilary Clinton and barrack Obama! Do your research. The TV media and news papers are all being told the same propoganda because there scared of Donald J Trump doing what he says he will do! The criminals in there suit & ties have shipped all the jobs to 3rd world countries and China to make them rich meanwhile screwing over millions and millions of families! Please don't fall for the Propoganda. Usually things are the exact opposite or the ones blaming people for doing wrong is exactly what they have done! I hope you all have a great day and we all enjoy each other that can be civil. Xoxo! ☺

Mar 06, 2017 03:52 AM
#10
Anonymous
Steeve

Hey Mike Hunt.... to bad your full of shit bud!! I know the person who lives in and owns the penthouse it this building!! Your not him. Ps he just paid half a mill to get rid of the tree!

May 09, 2017 03:20 PM
#11
Anonymous
Ryan coke

Let's not mention the fact that there is a heroin needle building into the design of this building. 😒

Nov 24, 2017 06:08 AM
#12