Arthur Erickson Place
Constructed in 1969 for the forestry giant MacMillan Bloedel, 1075 West Georgia was designed by Vancouver’s most preeminent architect Arthur Erickson, in partnership with Geoffrey Massey.
In September 2021, Reliance Properties Kingsett and Crestpoint renamed the MacMillan Bloedel building – also known as the MacBlo Building – to Arthur Erickson Place to commemorate the architect.
As part of the Arthur Erickson Place launch, Reliance put on a week-long visual experience for the public with a 3D light show to animate the building’s main exterior into a canvas of Erickson’s notable designs. The light show and rebranding gained international attention.
The building is a multi-award-winning icon and national landmark consisting of 27 stories of tapered concrete walls and deeply recessed windows. It is set on a plaza constructed several feet below street level, and is contained by reflecting pools, creating a public space for the community. Its use of reinforced concrete as the primary finish on both the exterior and interior of the building creates a building that blends Modernist and architectural aesthetics.
Arthur Erickson’s original sketch for the MacMillan Bloedel Building at 1075 West Georgia (1965). From the Erickson Family Collection.
Vancouver Sun article announcing the opening of the MacMillan Bloedel building on Dec, 13, 1968.
Northeast view of 1075 W Georgia from Thurlow Street (1968).
Guests who attended the renaming of 1075 West Georgia to Arthur Erickson Place posed with colourful umbrellas to “recreate” the award-winning spinners designed by Gordon Smith for the Canadian Pavilion at Expo 70 in Osaka, Japan. The pavilion was designed by Arthur Erickson and Geoffrey Massey.
The owners of Arthur Erickson Place hosted a week-long public digital light show to commemorate the rebranding.
The digital light show on Arthur Erickson Place.
The ownership group at the rebranding event for Arthur Erickson Place.
Attendees enjoying the event celebrating Arthur Erickson Place.