Berkeley Tower (Muro), 1958/2023

• Constructed 1958/2023
• Location Vancouver, BC
• Architects
  Warnett Kennedy (1958)
  Office of McFarlane Biggar (2023)
• Mural Douglas Coupland (2023)
• Use Residential

Originally built in 1958, The Berkeley Tower is recognized as one of the first modern residential tower to be built, during the post-war building boom, in the beach community of Vancouver’s West End. Designed by architect Warnett Kennedy, who was also a NPA alderman for a time, the design took on a simple slab form rotated 45 degrees to the street to maximize ocean views for all its residents. Notably devoid of the balconies that have since become the norm in Vancouver condo towers, the four corners of the building instead feature large operable ribbon windows. The building was originally painted green and yellow.

Completed in 2023, the building, now known as Muro, underwent a considerable upgrade to account for seismic, life safety, building systems, and envelope improvements, as well as a full interior renovation. Designed by Office of McFarlane Biggar, the already prominent corner windows were enlarged to improve sight lines and natural light within the dwellings, and a communal rooftop patio was added.

The most notable change to the design was the public art contribution of a painted mural wrapping all four sides of the tower, a first for renowned Canadian artist Douglas Coupland. The design, utilizing a pattern of colours and geometries synonymous with Coupland’s work, is intended to demarcate an anchor point that aptly represents the bustling neighbourhood and one of the key characteristics of Vancouver – where the city meets the ocean.