Woodward building

The Woodward's Building, the great red W of Vancouver

Recognisable by its large red W perched atop a replica of the point of the Eiffel Tower, the Woodward's Building is a landmark of the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. A former emblematic department store, it has had a second life. The Vancouver audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this symbol of a district undergoing transformation.

From a 1903 department store to a cultural hub

The oldest part of the Woodward's Building dates back to 1903 and housed a department store that was long an institution of Vancouver. After the closure of the store, the building was the subject of a vast redevelopment project, covering almost an entire block of the Downtown Eastside. It now houses notably a centre devoted to the arts, a sign of the district's revival.

What to see

The large red W, perched on its structure recalling the Eiffel Tower, has become a symbol of Vancouver and a visual landmark of the Downtown Eastside. The redeveloped building blends heritage and contemporary creation, around public and cultural spaces. It is a stop that illustrates the transformation of a long-struggling district, between memory and renewal.

Practical information

The Woodward's Building lies in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, reachable on foot and by public transport. Redeveloped as a mixed-use complex, its public and cultural spaces are accessible according to their own hours, which vary; the large red W can be freely admired from the street. It is best to enquire to access the interior spaces and the arts centre.

What does the great W of the Woodward's Building represent?

It is the sign of the former Woodward's department store, perched on a replica of the point of the Eiffel Tower, become a symbol of the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.

What is the Woodward's Building used for today?

Redeveloped, the complex blends housing, public spaces and a centre devoted to the arts, testifying to the revival of the Downtown Eastside.