Büro Ole Scheeren’s first North American high-rise is taking shape. The 42-story Fifteen Fifteen tower in Vancouver has completed the lift of its first cantilever, a key step in realizing the building’s bold sculptural form.
Credit: Graham Handford
Developed by Bosa Properties and Kingswood Properties, the residential tower introduces a striking silhouette to the city’s skyline. Its distinctive cantilevers extend outward to frame expansive views of Vancouver’s waterfronts, a design gesture that positions the project as an architectural gateway between downtown and Stanley Park.
The project’s significance was underscored earlier this year when it received the 2025 International Architecture Award in the Multi-Family Housing category, recognizing it among a select group of global developments reshaping urban living.
Reimagining Vertical Living
Fifteen Fifteen will comprise 186 residences, from studios to three-bedroom homes. Among them are 18 Observatory Residences, cantilevered apartments designed to give residents a sensation of floating above the city with panoramic views spanning 270 degrees.
“The sculptural design challenges conventional notions of sky-rise living, dissolving the boundaries of interior and exterior, between private living and surrounding cityscape,” says Ole Scheeren in press materials. “The cantilevers frame Vancouver’s characteristic waterfronts while creating a distinctive silhouette that engages the city beyond the residents themselves.”
Credit: Graham Handford
A palette of natural materials and cohesive detailing connects interiors with the tower’s architectural identity. Communal areas and residences alike are designed as part of a holistic vision, reinforcing continuity throughout the project.
Credit: Rendering by Binyan Studios
Public Realm Integration
By vertically offsetting its modules, the tower reduces its footprint at grade, opening space for a generous public plaza. This landscaped zone preserves Vancouver’s well-known water cascade and introduces new pedestrian pathways that weave through the site, creating permeability and opportunities for community engagement.
Situated at the transition between the West End and West Pender Street, Fifteen Fifteen is set to become a pivotal landmark in Vancouver’s evolving urban fabric. With construction advancing, completion is scheduled for late 2027.
