Vancouver Tall Challenge launched to explore new approaches to height and density. Positioned at the intersection of architecture, urbanism, policy, and public life, the competition seeks bold yet thoughtful ideas that respond to the unique character and ambitions of the city. By Canadian Architect On Aug 11, 2026 The Vancouver Tall Challenge, organized by Buildner in collaboration with the City of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia's School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), is inviting architects, designers, urbanists, and multidisciplinary teams from around the world to explore the future of tall buildings in Vancouver. Positioned at the intersection of architecture, urbanism, policy, and public life, the competition seeks bold yet thoughtful ideas that respond to the unique character and ambitions of the city. Set against the city's approach to height, the competition asks participants to rethink how density, architecture, sustainability, public life, and urban growth can come together in a rapidly changing downtown. Participants will be asked to develop visionary proposals for a hypothetical downtown Vancouver site while responding to broader questions surrounding sustainability, livability, density, mobility, cultural identity, and architectural excellence. The competition aims to generate ideas that can help inform future conversations around Vancouver's evolving approach to height and contribute to a wider global dialogue about the role of supertall buildings in contemporary cities. Rather than focusing solely on height or iconic form, the competition asks participants to rethink what a supertall building can contribute to the city around it. Proposals are encouraged to explore how taller buildings can enhance the public realm, strengthen relationships with nature, support vibrant and inclusive urban life, and create meaningful civic value at multiple scales, from the skyline to the street, and from the neighbourhood to the experience within the building itself. Participants are asked to develop a proposal for a hypothetical full-block redevelopment located within Vancouver's Central Business District (CBD). The project should explore the potential of supertall buildings within a dense urban context while responding carefully to the surrounding city fabric, public realm, infrastructure, and skyline. The site measures approximately 79.2 m x 144.8 m (260 ft x 475 ft) and should be considered as a consolidated urban block with the opportunity for a comprehensive mixed-use intervention. The surrounding context includes both existing high-rise developments and future approved towers within the 244-305 m (800-1000 ft) range, positioning the project within an evolving district of significant vertical growth. Proposals may include one or multiple towers and should demonstrate a thoughtful relationship between height, density, open space, creative uses, and the pedestrian experience. Participants are encouraged to consider how tower placement, spacing, and massing contribute not only to skyline composition, but also to sunlight access, wind conditions, livability, and relationships with neighboring buildings. Projects should propose one or more towers within the 244-305 m (800-1000 ft) height range; include a mix of uses such as office, residential, hotel, commercial, cultural/civic, or public-oriented programming; and demonstrate strong relationships between architecture, public realm, mobility, and urban life. Given the site's location within Vancouver's Central Business District, a strong employment component is recommended, with a minimum of 9.0 FSR dedicated to non-residential uses, including office and commercial space. Additionally, they should contribute positively to the pedestrian experience through active, inclusive, and human-scaled ground conditions; respond thoughtfully to Vancouver's environmental, cultural, and geographic context; integrate sustainability, resilience, and high environmental performance into the project approach; and address practical urban considerations including servicing, loading, circulation, transit integration, and infrastructure, including a below-grade secondary transit entrance connecting directly to the station on the neighboring site. They should also explore how public-facing uses and spaces can extend vertically throughout the building; demonstrate architectural excellence while avoiding generic or placeless outcomes; and balance ambition with feasibility through realistic structural, spatial, and urban strategies that maximize public value and public benefits while remaining responsive to the practical realities of development. Projects should address the practical realities of dense urban development, including transit integration, servicing, circulation, loading, parking, and below-grade connections. Particular attention should be given to how a development of this scale interfaces with the surrounding streets and public realm. While servicing, loading, and access are essential components of the programme, they should be integrated in ways that minimize their impact on pedestrians and the everyday experience of the city. Participants are encouraged to carefully consider how different edges of the site respond to their urban context while balancing operational requirements with a high-quality public realm. At the same time, proposals should balance ambition with feasibility, demonstrating innovative yet realistic approaches to structural systems, sustainability, and long-term urban viability. Three winning proposals, two special award recipients, and six honourable mentions will be selected. The first prize winner will be awarded with $7,000, the second-prize winner will receive $4,000, the third-prize will receive $2,000. The student award and sustainability award winners will receive $1,000 each.

City Hall updates: July 18-24, 2026. July 25, 2026 Every week, OneCity Co'll send you an update on what happened at City Hall, School Board, and Park Board in the last seven days. Hear directly from OneCity Councillor Lucy Maloney, OneCity School Board Trustee Jennifer Reddy, and OneCity Park Board Candidates on the goings on in City government. City Council update: OneCity Co is really in the thick of the traditional July stampede to the finish of Council meetings before the upcoming October election. Here's a quick rundown of what is happening at City Hall in the final week before the August break. "Tech Hotel" in Mt. Pleasant Industrial Area (75 East 8th Avenue) Council continued to hear from the large volume of public speakers last night on this proposed extended-stay hotel development. If this public hearing wasn't completed last night, it will continue today, Saturday July 25, starting at 9:30am. Proposed Holborn Development Council has finished hearing from speakers about the Holborn proposal for the City's tallest buildings and will reconvene on Monday, July 28 for closing comments from staff, questions, debate, and decision. The project is proposed to be built in two locations, one of which is the former Dunsmuir Hotel site. Villages Plan This week OneCity Co heard all the speakers for the Villages Plan, including some... outliers. The shenanigans attracted the attention of Vancouver Sun columnist Dan Fumano: AI slop, Californians, and bogus 'translators': Vancouver council went off the rails this week. Questions, debate, and decision will take place as unfinished business at the Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 28. At Tuesday's Council Meeting, OneCity Co'll also be finishing debate and decision on a motion to explore reestablishing the Renter Office as part of another big agenda. Floating Spa at Heritage Harbour The Vancouver Museum proposal to install a floating spa at Heritage Harbour Marina in partnership with HAVN Saunas Inc, which already has an existing operation in the City of Victoria's harbour. Advisory Committees I'm the Councillor Liaison for the Older Persons and Elders Advisory Committee and the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee. With a OneCity majority on Council after the election, you'll see Advisory Committees reestablished, funded and listened to, so that OneCity Co can recognise the incredible work of these volunteer bodies, and implement their priorities. Priorities like reappointing a dedicated Seniors Strategic Lead and accessible transport champion, and properly resourcing things like seniors' housing planners and accessibility improvements. The possible threat to volunteer Advisory Committees and their priorities underlines the need for more OneCity Vancouver elected representatives on Council, Park Board and School Board. You can help make it happen by donating to its election campaign and sign up to volunteer. OneCity Co can't risk another ABC majority, so please dig deep and get involved. - Lucy Maloney OneCity Vancouver City Councillor Lucy Maloney Park Board update: The Vancouver Park Board voted on two key items this week. The Board amended the basic approval of BC Hydro's substation relocation project to include temporary growing areas for community gardeners within Nelson Park, relocation of the apiary, accessible garden plots, and other significant aspects of the City's first downtown, citizen-designed community garden. The amendments also included a relocation plan for the community garden, and durable fully accessible temporary toilets for the site. With two abstentions and two commissioners voting in favour, the amended motion passed. Interestingly, two of three ABC Commissioners who attended the meeting, Haer and Virdi voted against the motion. Increased density in the downtown and West End requires increased BC Hydro supply that can only be provided by a new larger electricity substation. The Vancouver Aquatic Centre (VAC) demolition contract came before the Park Board, after being approved by City Council earlier this month. The Board approved the demolition contract. The Green Commissioner and the Independent Commissioners voted in favour of the demolition contract and noted that the project's funding would be at risk if the project was delayed past the end of the year. The two ABC Commissioners voted against the demolition contract, even though Commissioner Virdi had voted for the project in 2025. Your OneCity Park Board candidates continue to advocate for a rapid provision of a new 50m pool, possibly at Hastings Park, complete with a community centre rebuild of the 90 year-old facility. The 50m pool and community centre could be provided without losing any green space, or disrupting the Hastings Community Centre, by locating the new facility on the city-owned parking lots at Renfrew Street and Hastings Street. OneCity Councillor Lucy Maloney moved an amendment in the City's Capital Plan that calls for this expediting of the 50m pool. The amendment passed. Your OneCity Park Board candidates will work toward this as well, and aim to have shovels in the ground at a suitable new site within the first term. In solidarity, John Irwin OneCity Vancouver Candidate for Park Board August 01, 2026 Every week, OneCity Co'll send you an update on what happened at City Hall, School Board, and Park Board in the last seven days. Hear directly from OneCity Councillor Lucy Maloney, OneCity School Board Trustee Jennifer Reddy, and OneCity Park Board Candidates on the goings... July 21, 2026 OneCity Mayoral Candidate William Azaroff penned an open letter to Vancouverites on the contentious Villages Plan. Fund the City OneCity Co deserve. Your donation helps take Vancouver back from big money - and put it back in the hands of neighbours. Join your political home. OneCity is a movement for people who know Vancouver can be better. Together, OneCity Co'll turn that belief into concrete change. Show up for your city. From canvassing to community events, volunteering is how neighbours build power together.