Broadway & Granville Building

space

Together with PCI Developments and MCM Partnership, Edit Studios has breathed “historic life” back into this new 5 storey mixed use development; formerly the historical site of RBC’s first HQ. The new site will contain 67,200 sq. ft of office space. Constructed in 1957, the bank was designed in the International Style and was characterized by its continuous curved front façade, with alternating pattern of horizontal bands windows and spandrel panels, set between vertical black metal-clad pilasters, and its dark green granite base.

a blend of vintage

While not heritage designated, The City identified guidelines to preserve the historical nature of the site. Our goal for the interior design of the property was to mix the new with the old in a modern fresh take. Together with the City, we identified historical opportunities that have been weaved through the building.

A juxtaposition of different moments in time are highlighted through graphics. Historical imagery is peppered throughout the tower on glass panels, allowing users a window into the past. Upon entering the lobby, a double height window connects the public with the adjacent transit station through a vintage photograph of the original building, enticing users to peer through the past.

memorializing history

Media walls are carefully integrated into the entry experience. The content is a tribute to the international style, with photos of the original building along with the leasing advertisements included in the image montage.

The original building was anchored by a dark green granite base that the City wanted to salvage. We wracked our brains trying to come up with a way to integrate 70-year-old damaged slabs of green marble. The result? We collaborated with a stone mason and designed bespoke coffee tables that are anchored to the floor with little green marble bases.

Further, the original bank vault door was found on site and was repurposed as a feature art piece within the lobby. The finishing touches include light marble walls acting as a backdrop for black metal and copper accents featured on the exterior; Custom copper signage is cleverly integrated into the floor tile, allowing for moments of precious wayfinding throughout the tower.

end of trip, beginning of cool

Accessing the building through the parkade, bikers are guided by a series of black and white graphics that tie into the historical elements of the building. The end of trip experience rounds out our design with a modernized monochromatic palette infused with pops of copper tones, hints of blue, and utilizing wood millwork sparingly. All in all, culminating in a bright and graphically striking space.

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