![Woodward's Building, Vancouver](/img/gd_attr/57892.jpg)
Woodward's Building, Vancouver
The Woodward's Building, situated in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, holds a rich historical legacy. The initial section of this edifice was erected in 1903 to house the Woodward's Department Store, during an era when Cordova Street was the bustling nucleus of Vancouver's retail landscape. It stood as the paramount shopping destination in the city, famed for its elaborate Christmas window exhibitions and the basement Food Floor. Notably, the prominent "W" emblem atop the building became an iconic fixture in the Vancouver skyline.
On the morning of September 30, 2006, almost all sections of the Woodward's structure, except for the oldest original segment (constructed between 1903 and 1908), underwent a "roll-over" implosion executed by Pacific Blasting. This marked the inception of a novel complex of buildings. The signature "W" neon sign, formerly crowning the structure in a replication of the Eiffel Tower, was extracted prior to the demolition. It was subsequently recreated and reinstated on January 9, 2010, now adorned with energy-efficient LED lights. The authentic "W" sign now finds its home in the open space adjacent to The Charles Bar within the new Woodward's Building.
In 2008, Vancouver artist Stan Douglas completed a sizable 30' by 50' glass mural depicting the Gastown Riots of 1971. This oversized photograph, accompanied by a basketball hoop, has transformed into the central focal point within the atrium of the redeveloped Woodward's complex.
On the morning of September 30, 2006, almost all sections of the Woodward's structure, except for the oldest original segment (constructed between 1903 and 1908), underwent a "roll-over" implosion executed by Pacific Blasting. This marked the inception of a novel complex of buildings. The signature "W" neon sign, formerly crowning the structure in a replication of the Eiffel Tower, was extracted prior to the demolition. It was subsequently recreated and reinstated on January 9, 2010, now adorned with energy-efficient LED lights. The authentic "W" sign now finds its home in the open space adjacent to The Charles Bar within the new Woodward's Building.
In 2008, Vancouver artist Stan Douglas completed a sizable 30' by 50' glass mural depicting the Gastown Riots of 1971. This oversized photograph, accompanied by a basketball hoop, has transformed into the central focal point within the atrium of the redeveloped Woodward's complex.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vancouver. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Woodward's Building on Map
Sight Name: Woodward's Building
Sight Location: Vancouver, Canada (See walking tours in Vancouver)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Vancouver, Canada (See walking tours in Vancouver)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Vancouver, Canada
Create Your Own Walk in Vancouver
Creating your own self-guided walk in Vancouver is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Vancouver Downtown Walking Tour
Numerous historic and otherwise notable landmarks scattered throughout Downtown Vancouver make it a hot traveler's destination. Each such landmark is unique in itself and has a great deal of story to tell visitors, be it cultural history or simple amusement.
While in Downtown you can't miss the Vancouver Lookout. This observation deck lures you with its breathtaking scenery – the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
While in Downtown you can't miss the Vancouver Lookout. This observation deck lures you with its breathtaking scenery – the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Granville Island Walking Tour
Successfully transformed, back in the 1970s, from an industrial wasteland into one of the most beloved public spaces in Vancouver, Granville Island is now viewed as a premier artistic and cultural hub famous for its balance of functionality and flare. It is equally popular as a shopping destination, too, with a plethora of other attractions like art galleries, markets, and a brewery to boot.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Vancouver Introduction Walking Tour
A bustling seaport on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver is among the country's densest and most ethnically diverse cities. It is also one of British Columbia's youngest cities. Prior to the Europeans, the Vancouver area had been inhabited – for almost 10,000 years – by Aboriginal tribes: Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh (Burrard). The explorer Simon Fraser and his crew were... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Vancouver Chinatown Walking Tour
Vancouver's Chinatown is the second-largest Chinese-centered area in North America. As such, it has long attracted hordes of tourists with its expressive culture, inexpensive but delicious food, and fabulous traditional architecture.
The very first landmark that welcomes visitors entering Chinatown is the grand, ornate structure called the Millennium Gate. With its intricate architectural... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
The very first landmark that welcomes visitors entering Chinatown is the grand, ornate structure called the Millennium Gate. With its intricate architectural... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Vancouver Yaletown Walking Tour
For many years, Yaletown was the thriving industrial heart of Vancouver. Today, this historic neighborhood looks unlike any other part of the city and is considered to be the home of Vancouver's "elite" society.
The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre is a prominent landmark here, serving as a hub for art exhibitions and recreational activities. Its historic... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre is a prominent landmark here, serving as a hub for art exhibitions and recreational activities. Its historic... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Gastown Walking Tour
To get the feel of authentic Vancouver, head for the Gastown district. This is where the city was born: an ex-sailor turned gold prospector built an inn here in the late 19th century and a small settlement, mostly of mill workers, dockhands and merchants, sprang up around it. Many of the streets in Gastown are still cobblestoned and you will find lovely examples of Victorian buildings that have... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
16 Distinctively Canadian Things to Buy in Vancouver
British Columbia, in general, and Vancouver, in particular, are among the top Canadian destinations worth being explored. The amalgam of aboriginal and western cultures, Vancouver is a treasure trove of distinctively Canadian delights that are not found anywhere else. Most of these items make for an...