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In late September, the newly completed 524-foot, 35-story MNP Tower —a Ledcor project in Vancouver, British Columbia –opened its doors to the public. Shaped like a glass talon, the tower is the first building in western Canada to be designed by the world-renowned New York City-based architects Kohn Pedersen Fox, collaborating with local firm Musson Cattel Mackey Partnership. 

Not only was the tower a tremendous milestone for Oxford Properties Group, it also represented the successful completion of Ledcor’s first major project for the Oxford Properties Group in the Vancouver market. 

Construction began in 2011 on the heritage site of the University and Quadra Clubs, one of the last available sites in the harbour district of Vancouver’s downtown business core. Being located between the historic Marine Building, Guinness Tower, and the Cordova Street viaduct, the project presented many construction and logistical challenges. 

Before demolishing the existing three-level Guinness Tower parkade exit on site, Ledcor needed to reconfigure the parkade to two-way traffic and widen the existing entry ramp to accommodate entry and exiting, while maintaining full parkade operations. 

Ledcor also had to preserve and protect the historical façade of University Club (UC) during demolition. Prior to demolition, 48 tension and compression piles were installed and pre-tensioned within the sidewalk in front of the UC, then connected to a network of trusses to support the façade during construction. 

The tower features include variable refrigerant flow mechanical systems, triple-glazed shingle offset curtain wall, destination dispatch elevators, and a building maintenance crane concealed within an enclosed retractable roof system. MNP Tower is targeting LEED Gold Core and Shell designation, as well as striving to attain the first WELL Building Standard certification in Canada. 

We are proud of our involvement in this impressive project that has earned the reputation as one of Vancouver’s most significant landmarks.