Electra Building

The Electra Building is a 23-story modern skyscraper located at the corner of Burrard and Nelson in Vancouver, distinguished by its extensive glass facade. Large windows cover the entire exterior and flood the interior spaces with natural light.

The building was constructed in 1957 as the headquarters for the BC Electric Company and originally served as an office structure. It underwent a major renovation in 1998 when it was converted into residential units.

The building reflects how Vancouver moved toward modern architecture after the war while keeping traces of earlier design traditions. You can observe through its structure how the city evolved from the post-war period into contemporary times.

The interior offers various amenities such as a fitness center, shared spaces, and a substantial bicycle storage facility that visitors can access. Its location at the Burrard and Nelson intersection makes it easy to reach and well integrated into the urban fabric.

The roof once held ten large air horns that played the opening notes of O Canada daily at noon for the public to hear. These horns were later relocated to Pan Pacific Vancouver where they continue to serve a similar purpose.

Location: Vancouver

Inception: 1950s

Architects: Thompson Berwick and Pratt and Partners

Architectural style: modern architecture

Floors above the ground: 22

Floors below the ground: 1

Address: 989 Nelson Street

GPS coordinates: 49.28110,-123.12524

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:42