The Exchange, office building in Canada

January 2014 sees the groundbreaking ceremony for Harry Gugger Studio’s first building in North America. ‘The Exchange’ tower in Vancouver, scheduled for completion in 2016, will be the first LEED Platinum Heritage Conversion in Canada and at 31 floors it will also be the Studio’s first high-rise building to begin construction. Harry Gugger will attend the ceremony along with representatives from joint-owners – Credit Suisse Real Estate Fund International and SwissReal, Lead Consultant – Iredale Group Architecture, Contractor – PCL, Project Managers – MKT and other members of the project design team.

CEO of SwissReal, Franz Gehriger said: “It is rare to get a chance to build a cutting-edge commercial development from ground up, let alone do it with an internationally acclaimed European architect like Harry Gugger”. Rainer Scherwey the Fund Manager for Credit Suisse Real Estate Fund International comments: “In October 2012, we hired the Harry Gugger Studio to rework the layout and overall appearance of our high-rise project, The Exchange in Vancouver. The need to preserve and integrate the Old Stock Exchange from 1929, the urban space restrictions and the legal height limits for the “view corridors” were enormous challenges that had to be considered when finding a solution. We chose Harry Gugger Studio because we were particularly impressed with their track record in working with historic structures”.

‘The Exchange’ is located in the heart of Vancouver’s downtown area, surrounded by water and framed by mountains this unique urban cityscape is defined by its spectacular natural setting. The design rationale for the new tower is entirely derived from its surrounding context and environment; in particular the existing Old Stock Exchange building, which is to be preserved and rehabilitated on the site. The refined vertical pilasters of this handsome and elegant building completed in the late 1920’s accentuate its height whilst grounding the building within the streetscape of the city.

Harry Gugger states: “The new tower does not attempt to dominate or compete with this prominent original building but rather to successfully work together with it in order to create an overall composition that looks at once to Vancouver’s future without obscuring its past”. By both breaking up the mass of the tower over its entire height and by recessing its bulk from the perimeter of the site above the Old Stock Exchange, the new building allows the existing structure to fully define the streetscape, retaining and confirming its proud position within the city.

Restricted from creating a strong intervention on the city’s skyline, ‘The Exchange’ instead looks to create a distinctive icon within the space of the city itself. Viewed from the street, its cantilevered form coupled with the elegant pinstripe of its façade mullions creates a unique identity for the tower at the heart of Vancouver’s downtown.

Franz Gehriger adds: “Given Mr. Gugger’s experience with heritage restorations and conversions such as the eloquent execution of Tate Modern in London, we knew we found the perfect design partner. The Exchange will be an iconic tower that will forever enhance Vancouver’s skyline”. The Exchange is a collaboration with Vancouver based practice Iredale Group Architecture. Project Management is provided by MKT Arkle Development Management Inc. The Exchange is being built by PCL Constructors Inc.