This week’s door is a revolving door from the Marine Building, located at 355 Burrard St, Vancouver. Built in 1930 in the Art Deco style, the Marine Building was the tallest building in Vancouver until 1939, and for a brief time was the tallest building in the British Empire. It is currently used as private offices, though the exterior has appeared in several movies and TV shows, including Timecop, Blade: Trinity, The Fantastic Four (2005 version) and Smallville.
Here’s more of the beautiful detailing around the doors and the stained glass window above, which from inside has several bands of coloured glass, just visible in this image. (Bear with me – these photos are about twenty years old and I’ve done what I can with them.)
If you’re in Vancouver, wander down and have a look at the building – it’s well worth doing so. While there are no public galleries in the building, you can go into the lobby, plus there’s a restaurant on the ground floor. And here’s a bonus door – the magnificent Art Deco elevator doors, still in place. You can also see some of the floor detail, which is marble inlaid with the signs of the zodiac.
Thanks for checking out my Thursday Door, part of Norm 2.0’s Thursday Door Challenge. Hop on over to his site and see some more, or add a door of your own!
Helen Glynn Jones 
I love your art deco door.
Thank you! It is rather gorgeous, isn’t it? They don’t make them like that any more…
Great find, Helen. Art Deco is certainly a style I love. It’s so good to see these beautiful doors survive.
Thanks, Hugh. The Marine Building is just gorgeous – the Art Deco details in the lobby are amazing too. It is great that it all survived more or less intact. 🙂
That entrance way is just magnificent. I love revolving door and that elevator door; stunning!
Thanks, Norm – it is a very special building. Everything is so well preserved and cared for.
Oy, the Fantastic Four was shot in Vancouver? I didn’t know that. Now I’ll have to go watch it again and look out for familiar scenery.
And why haven’t I seen the Marine Building before? I’ve been down there lots of times. Will have to rectify it next time I’m Downtown Vancouver.
Oh yes, definitely go and see it – I didn’t get there last time I was in Vancouver and I regret it. It’s on the list for next time I visit! And yes, not sure how much of The Fantastic Four was shot in Vancouver, but apparently the Marine Building was used as The Baxter Building in both Fantastic Four and Rise of the Silver Surfer. Now I might have to go and watch them as well! 🙂
Such gorgeous Art Deco details! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Deb! It’s a fabulous building, isn’t it? They don’t really make them like that any more 🙂
They really don’t! Maybe one day we will come back around to this kind of craftsmanship 🙂
That would be nice, wouldn’t it?
I love art deco! Lovely – a reason to visit Vancouver again!
Me too 🙂 And yes, definitely worth visiting next time you’re in Vancouver.
Very cool door! It would be great as an entry to an aquarium. I thought it was at first.
It would, wouldn’t it? Apparently the design was inspired by the natural landscape nearby, mountains and forest and ocean, hence the Marine themes and motif.
I enjoyed seeing the revolving door today,
Thanks, Dan – it’s a rather nice one, isn’t it. 🙂
Modern day revolving doors have none of the old charm (and danger).
Yes, so true! 😀
What beautiful Deco details, even the number over the door is beautiful, great choice!
Thanks, Jane – it really is an extraordinary building, well worth looking at if you’re ever in Vancouver 🙂
I’ve always loved revolving doors and as children, we love to keep going ’round and ’round. 🙂 Beautiful building.
janet
Thanks Janet – yes, my daughter loves to go ’round and round’ too. I think it’s a childish joy that never ends 🙂
Beautiful! what years were the Art Deco Era?
Thanks, Leanne 🙂 Art Deco started in the 1920s and continued into the 30s, so this building was designed during its heyday. It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?
Cheers, Yes it is!
sad there has been no mention of the elevators when each elevator had a pretty lady for an operator and across from the elevators on the main floor a supervisor had a sitting area where she could view which floor had signalled for service
at one time a decision was made to change the appearance of the doors which were constantly cleaned and polished since brass requires so much attention
Hi Ron – thank you for your comment, and also the little piece of history 🙂 It’s fascinating to hear that the elevators were once manned and supervised. I’m so glad they decided to keep the original doors, as they are so magnificent – I’m afraid my photograph really doesn’t do them justice. You were very lucky to have lived in such an extraordinary building 🙂