The Charleson | DIALOG

Location: Vancouver, BC , BC
Client: Onni Group of Companies
Completion: 2015
Size: 24,008 sq m

258,425 sq ft
Sustainability: LEED® Gold design
DIALOG Services: Architecture

The Charleson is a 43-storey premium residential and mixed-use tower located on the north side of Vancouver’s False Creek. The building’s appearance has been strongly influenced by neighbourhood in which it resides as well as the building's orientation. The building takes its name from the Charleson Park view cone, which also defines the triangular tower form. It embodies the high-quality aesthetic associated with contemporary urban living. There are two main elements to the building: a low-rise rental podium and a market residential tower. There is also a strong public arts amenity component to the project.

01/08

charleson full building v2 — Dynamic form in the city The Charleson’s shape is defined by the site, as well as an optical illusion created when wrap-around balconies on lower levels give way to suites with more windows higher up.

charleson entrance street — Entering into luxury The Charleson is located just a few blocks from Vancouver’s False Creek, a natural inlet surrounded by walking paths, marinas, shops and residential developments.

charleson marina — Overlooking the water The street-level entrance to The Charleson is understated, but the stone façade gives an indication of what lies behind those glass doors.

charleson podium — A multi-purpose project The Charleson tower is dedicated to market residential units while the low-rise podium has been set aside for rental unit, which are always in demand in Vancouver.

charleson podium closeup — Gateway to sunlight Many of the suites in the low-rise portion of The Charleson have balconies, offering residents ready access to sunlight and fresh air.

charleson pool — Rooftop oasis in the city A rooftop pool and hot tub are paired with a professional-level fitness facility, and provide residents with a spa-like environment for them to enjoy close to home.

charleson full building evening — Bringing art to the city Vancouver-based visual artist Elizabeth McIntosh was commissioned by Onni Group to create a mural for The Charleson. The finished result, titled Finger Paint, is 30’ by 416’.

charleson full building dusk — An impressive canvas Finger Paint explores representation through digital and analog techniques, with the forms on the mural made by a finger on a touchpad. It is currently the city’s tallest mural.

Meet The Team

Brady Dunlop

Partner, Architect

Public art plays a huge role in building communities. It starts conversations and is a place maker in neighbourhoods across our city.

Raymond Louie, Acting Mayor and Vancouver City Councilor

The design story 01

Mid-rise rental units to the north

The mid-rise portion of The Charleson, located to the north of the main tower, provides much-needed rental accommodation in Vancouver’s downtown core. This view, from the Richards Street side, shows the pool and outdoor recreation areas located on the roof of the podium.

The design story 02

The narrow edge of the wedge

The eastern edge of The Charleson tower is the narrow edge of the wedge-shaped building, squared off for the balconies on that side of the building. The wide side of the building fronts onto Richards Street. The interface between the tower and the six-storey mid-rise rental building to the north of the tower is angled, and reflects the angle of the tower’s wedge.

The design story 03

A window between the two buildings

The angular gap between the Charleson tower and six-storey podium serves as a window to the streetscape on either side of the building. It allows pedestrians to pass between the buildings and lets light into this space.