In the heart of North Vancouver, the City Hall and its surrounding plaza have undergone a stunning transformation. The City of North Vancouver’s Civic Centre Redevelopment—completed in 2012—was not just a facelift. It was a holistic reinvention that brought new life to the city’s most important civic hub. From sustainable architecture and community-first design to Indigenous art and award-winning innovation, the renewed Civic Centre is a model of how public spaces can serve and reflect the communities they represent.

A New Era for Civic Life in North Vancouver

The Civic Centre Redevelopment project was launched with clear goals: modernize City Hall, enhance accessibility, and reimagine public space as a dynamic, welcoming hub for civic engagement. The initiative also aimed to breathe new life into the former City Library building, integrating it into the revitalized campus.

Construction began in 2010 and wrapped in 2012, resulting in a 38,000 sq. ft. facility that merges 11,000 sq. ft. of new construction with 27,000 sq. ft. of renovation. The project wasn’t just about infrastructure—it was about rethinking how citizens interact with their city government and public space.

What’s New: Features That Serve the Community

Public Access and Usability
The most immediate transformation is the accessibility and clarity of City Hall’s layout. Entrances from 13th Street and Civic Plaza now clearly guide visitors into the building. A central atrium links departments and spaces in a transparent, user-friendly design, featuring a dramatic skylight and long wood-paneled walls that invite the public in.

City departments have more open, service-oriented spaces, including expanded public counters in the Finance and Community Development departments. New amenities such as public washrooms, a multipurpose meeting room, and a 22-plot community garden add to the Centre’s community-focused feel.

A Building for Everyone
Universal accessibility was a core design element. The renovated space now offers improved facilities for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Clear signage, simplified wayfinding, and an overall sense of openness contribute to a more inclusive experience.

A Civic Showcase for Sustainability and Wood Innovation

Sustainability is at the core of this redevelopment. Designed to achieve a LEED Silver rating, the building taps into the Lonsdale Energy Corporation’s district heating system and integrates smart features like daylighting and natural ventilation through high clerestory windows.

But what truly sets this project apart is its innovative use of wood. The 67-metre-long atrium roof was built using laminated strand lumber (LSL) panels—pre-fabricated and installed on site—marking a first-of-its-kind application for this renewable material. The wood used in the project sequesters approximately 230 metric tonnes of CO₂, making it as environmentally symbolic as it is functional.

Even the public counters were crafted from the same LSL material, dyed a vivid red and sanded to reveal a unique texture. Material reuse was a creative priority throughout. An 80-year-old elm tree removed from the site now forms a striking stairwell wall, echoing timber stacks from the city’s milling history.

Public Art That Tells a Local Story

Art has been seamlessly integrated into the architecture to reflect the community's heritage, aspirations, and Indigenous roots.

• “Fallen Tree – New Beginnings” by Brent Comber greets visitors with cedar benches that pay homage to natural cycles and regeneration.

• “35 Rings” by Antonio Millares III and Jeremy Crowle parallels the city's evolution with metaphorical tree rings etched into the refurbished elm wall.

• A sculptural water feature at the 13th Street entrance references the nearby North Shore mountains.

• “The Chief” Welcome Pole by Squamish Nation carver Ray Natraoro, created with local students, offers a powerful cultural anchor at the main entrance.

• The project also restored Barry Cogswell’s 1975 sculpture “Integrate Plane”, placing it in the roof garden as a tribute to North Vancouver's geography.

Recognition and Legacy

The Civic Centre has not gone unnoticed. It has received the Governor General’s Award in Architecture, the Lieutenant Governor Award for Design Excellence, and the Canadian Wood Council’s Community Recognition Award for its support of the BC wood industry. These accolades highlight the project’s balanced achievements in architectural excellence, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

Behind the scenes, the project was spearheaded by MGB Architecture, with Stuart Olsen Construction executing the build and Turnbull Construction Services Ltd. managing the process. Architect Michael Green’s vision of a warm, welcoming civic space shines through every detail, from the use of natural light to the reused materials that whisper stories of the past.

A Civic Heart for a Growing City

Now standing as both a functional municipal headquarters and a beacon of sustainable urban design, the North Vancouver Civic Centre is more than just a renovation—it’s a reimagining of civic life itself. With its award-winning architecture, rich public art, and community-first design, it’s become a true gathering place for residents of the North Shore.

Curious how changes like this are shaping the future of North Vancouver? We’re always watching projects like this to help our clients stay connected to what’s next. Want to be one of them?