The Butterfly Building is situated in the heart of downtown Vancouver, an iconic 600,000 sq. ft. mixed-use tower. The development combines The Butterfly—a new 57-storey luxury market tower-with the heritage upgrade, rehabilitation, and expansion of one of Vancouver's oldest churches, the historic First Baptist Church (FBC) built in 1911. The Butterfly Building was designed by Revery Architecture (formerly Bing Thom Architects).
Its unique form draws inspiration from two elements: organ pipes and the ephemeral nature of clouds. The tower’s sculpted façade is achieved through an innovative assembly of insulated pre-fabricated panels, high-performance glazing, and wide-spanning balconies.
These features provide exceptional thermal resistance, superior acoustical performance, and enhanced occupant comfort.
The dynamic chamfered forms at the tower’s base, inspired by First Baptist’s pipe organ, honor the historic building while maximizing the use of its landscaped ground plane. With emphasis on natural air, light, views, and materials, the project seeks to dissolve boundaries, stimulate the senses, and encourage mindfulness in a way that transforms its residents and strengthens human relations within its community. The Butterfly stands as a bold landmark in Vancouver, gracefully announcing the highpoint of the city’s downtown peninsula and welcoming residents to a harmonious blend of luxury, history, and community spirit.
Looking up in the heart of downtown Vancouver on Alberni Street. Sometimes referred to as Vancouver’s “Luxury Zone” or “Luxury Row”, Alberni Street and its environs are home to the majority of luxury brands in Vancouver, including Burberry,Balenciaga, Escada, Tiffany, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Gucci and Ferragamo.