City Hall, Vancouver

Vancouver City Hall is a twelve story building topped with a clock, designed by architect Fred Townley and Matheson. Currently, it serves as the seat of the Vancouver City Council.

The building's style is a compromise between modern and art deco, with an intriguing, stepped pattern leading up to the main tower portion. Inside, the City Hall is richly adorned with cream and black terrazzo floors, and walls covered in polished marble and capped in horizontal brass banding. Fluted marble pillars support the elegantly gilded ceiling, the stairwells are detailed in black marble, the walls are highlighted with solid brass handrails, octagonal newel panels punctuate the landings, and mezzanine balconies offer an unimpeded view of the whole space. The building's original features are extremely well preserved, and in many cases are the original pieces that were installed when it was first constructed.

This richly decorated building was built during the height of the Depression for $1 million, and was intended as a public works project to help employ the many Vancouver residents affected by unemployment. It was originally ordered by the Vancouver Civic Building Committee, and construction began in 1936. In 1976, the building was declared one of Vancouver's heritage buildings of primary significance.