Revery Architecture has completed The Butterfly, a sculptural high-rise tower in Vancouver, developed by Westbank and rising to a height of 178.6 metres, making it the third-tallest building in the coastal Canadian city. Positioned within the downtown peninsula, the project establishes a new visual gateway to the West End neighbourhood, while directly integrating with the historic First Baptist Church, dating back to the early 20th century.

The tower’s architectural identity is defined by a series of straight, interconnected cylindrical volumes, wrapped in a combination of high-performance glazing and white pre-fabricated insulated concrete panels. These panels frame the building’s perimeter balconies and form recessed zones between the cylinders, creating open-air breezeways that contribute to both façade articulation and environmental performance. According to Revery Architecture, the sculpted façade assembly delivers exceptional thermal resistance, enhanced acoustic performance, and improved occupant comfort, while reinforcing the tower’s landmark presence.

At the base, the tower establishes a sensitive dialogue with its context. Tall chamfered glass walls, inspired by the pipe organ structure of the adjacent First Baptist Church, define the podium and ground-level interface. A steel and glass structure known as the Galleria directly connects the church to the building’s lobby, housing an event and concert space that extends the cultural function of the historic building into the new development.

The podium wraps around the base of the tower, linking the Galleria and the main lobby, and accommodating shared amenities. It is crowned by a lap pool, enclosed within a ribbed architectural structure that echoes the cylindrical rhythm of the façade above. Interior spaces, including the lobby, are characterised by soft, curving white forms and fabric elements, deliberately contrasting with the surrounding urban environment. A custom-built piano, developed in collaboration with Fazioli, forms a focal point within the lobby, reflecting a recurring feature across Westbank’s developments.

Rising across 57 storeys, the residential floors are organised around a central, sheltered elevator core, with open-air breezeways on each level. Each breezeway incorporates a sculptural planter designed to accommodate a growing tree, allowing greenery to gradually emerge across the façade. At the crown, the building integrates skygardens, enclosed by large glass walls, further reinforcing the vertical landscape concept.

Interiors of the residential suites were also designed by Revery Architecture, featuring luxury finishes, including porcelain flooring. With its expressive façade system, integration of landscape, and sensitive engagement with heritage architecture, The Butterfly stands as a defining contemporary addition to Vancouver’s skyline.

Photography by Ema Peter.