Back to the Future in Remembrance of Things Past

The Burrard bridge downtown was built in the early 1930s and sports an Art Deco style with bold geometric lines inspired by the streamlined movement committed to a vision of modernity and progress. It was implemented widely in architectural forms, including this bridge that connects different areas of the downtown zone across the Pacific bay.

I was in the neighbourhood the other day, so I decided to take a few snapshots of the surrounding environs. I was particularly mesmerized by the new condo towers for the Sen̓áḵw development project on the southern end of the bridge, where tall buildings were not allowed in the past, only single family homes. But we’re in tight quarters when it comes to housing on the coast, and it seems that the only way to expand is upwards. While the city has lost many residents after the pandemic mayhem, the general trend has been up population-wise in the past few decades. These particular parcels of land also belong to the Squamish Nation, so they are leading this development project on their ancestral lands.

The units on those buildings must have amazing views, given that the ocean and mountains are in full display to the west. The first few residents began moving in this year (2026).

The project is ambitious with eight more towers on the planning board that will likely make this a vibrant neighbourhood in the years to come.

Back on the bridge, I'm taken by its vintage facade that stands in contrast visually (though not in spirit) to the sci-fi metropolis growing around it. Two eras, side by side as we barrel down the laneways of the 21st century.

The cars raced by at full speed. This bridge is in need of a proper facelift, I thought to myself. Bike lanes and other structural components were added a few years ago during a renovation project that sought, among other things, to preserve its heritage character. I stopped to admire its style and marvel at the passage of time. One minute, this bridge was a modern gateway to the future, and the next, an oddity in the cultural rearview mirror.