flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

A 42-story tower envelops residents in Vancouver’s natural beauty

Multifamily Housing

A 42-story tower envelops residents in Vancouver’s natural beauty

Ole Scheeren’s first North American residential building maximizes space and light.


By Novid Parsi, Contributing Editor | March 15, 2022
FIfteen Fifteen exterior
Fifteen Fifteen is meant to add to the city's beauty.

The city of Vancouver is world-renowned for the stunning nature that surrounds it: water, beaches, mountains. A 42-story tower, Fifteen Fifteen, will envelop residents in that natural beauty. Designed by Ole Scheeren, the residential skyscraper will include 202 residences ranging from studios to three bedrooms—all with floor-to-ceiling windows and access to outdoor spaces. 

Studios to 3 Bedrooms
Fifteen Fifteen will consists of studios, as well as three bedrooms.

On the mid and upper levels, the tower also will boast 18 glass-encased homes called “Observatory Residences.” With a starting price of $5 million, each Observatory Residence features 270-degree, floor-to-ceiling windows in a cantilevered space that protrudes from the building, engineered with steel I-beams and diagonal bracing. For residents, the design creates the sensation of floating above the city, ocean, and mountains.

Observatory Residences
Observatory residences consists of 270-degree floor-to-ceiling windows. 

Located on Vancouver Harbour in the downtown neighborhood of Coal Harbour, Fifteen Fifteen is starchitect Ole Scheeren’s first North American residential building. It’s also the only one for which Scheeren has designed both the interiors and exteriors. His design aims to maximize space and light while maintaining privacy and security. The building has over 65 floorplans, and each residence can be customized with bespoke features and finishes. Residents can choose from three color and material palettes that Scheeren designed to reflect Vancouver’s natural surroundings.

Nature aspect
Interaction with nature was important in the design of Fifteen Fifteen.

“For many years, I have explored the question of how we want to live—in relation to our own private spaces as well as our communities, our cities, and the environment—and what architecture means in this context,” Scheeren says in a statement. “Fifteen Fifteen is about connectivity—connecting people to each other and to their surroundings—and offers an interactive way of living.”

Commissioned by Bosa Properties and Kingswood Properties in 2015, Fifteen Fifteen is expected to open in 2026.

Owner-developers: Bosa Properties and Kingswood Properties

Design architect and architect of record: Ole Scheeren

MEP engineers: Bycar and Nemetz

Structural engineer: Glotman Simpson

Related Stories

Multifamily Housing | Jul 7, 2016

Courtyards make Brooklyn’s Bushwick II residential development its own miniature city

Bushwick II will feature light-filled plaza spaces, a roof for urban living, and more than 800 apartment units.

Market Data | Jul 7, 2016

Airbnb alleged to worsen housing crunch in New York City

Allegedly removing thousands of housing units from market, driving up rents.

Market Data | Jul 6, 2016

A thriving economy and influx of businesses spur construction in downtown Seattle

Development investment is twice what it was five years ago. 

Multifamily Housing | Jul 5, 2016

Apartments continue to shrink, rents continue to rise

Latest survey by RENTCafé tracks size changes in 95 metros. 

High-rise Construction | Jun 29, 2016

Best Tall Buildings around the world favor unusual shapes and hybrid functions

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat selects winners in four regions.

Multifamily Housing | Jun 22, 2016

Can multifamily construction keep up with projected demand?

The Joint Center for Housing Studies’ latest disection of America’s housing market finds moderate- and low-priced rentals in short supply.

Urban Planning | Jun 15, 2016

Swedish ‘Timber Town’ proposal from C.F. Møller provides a unique blend of nature and city

The development acts as a transition area between a traditional urban landscape and parklands.

Multifamily Housing | Jun 14, 2016

San Francisco voters approve tougher affordability requirement on new housing development

Critics charge that the measure may backfire and actually reduce new affordable units.  

Building Team Awards | Jun 1, 2016

Multifamily tower and office building revitalize Philadelphia cathedral

The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral capitalizes on hot property to help fund much needed upgrades and programs.

Multifamily Housing | May 19, 2016

Architect Jean Nouvel designs flood-resilient Monad Terrace in Miami Beach

A man-made lagoon with lush vegetation at the base of the complex is expected to adapt to climate change and rising sea levels.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021