Trump International Hotel and Tower, Vancouver
[Image © Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press]
In February 2017, the new Trump International Hotel & Tower held its grand opening in downtown Vancouver, Canada.
Local news agencies though have been quick to point out that President Donald Trump’s ‘post-truth’ ethos would also appear to extend to his brand architecture.
According to a press release from Trump Hotels, ‘the twisting $360 million tower … is one of the tallest buildings in the city at 69 storeys high’. It also labels the upper penthouse as ‘Tower Floor 69’. However, the development permit issued in 2008 and the property developer Holborn, have listed the tower’s correct height as 63 storeys.
It would appear that Trump Hotels have counted the below-ground floors, which are predominantly used for parking, to arrive at 69. According to a former-chief city planner, "it is extremely uncommon, if not unprecedented, to count below-grade floors."
Indeed, the City of Vancouver’s zoning and development by-law stipulates, ‘a storey shall not include a basement or cellar’.
Trump Hotels has also claimed that the project is the ‘first hotel to open in the city in over six years’. However, it has been pointed out that, among others, Hotel Blu on Robson Street opened in 2014.
The developers say that, according to a practice not uncommon in Vancouver (although the city put an end to it in 2015), there is no ‘floor 13’, and neither is there any floor ending in four. This is due to a Cantonese superstition regarding the word ‘four’ sounding like words and phrases involving death.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Mixed reactions to apprenticeship and skills reform 2025
A 'welcome shift' for some and a 'backwards step' for others.
Licensing construction in the UK
As the latest report and proposal to licence builders reaches Parliament.
Building Safety Alliance golden thread guidance
Extensive excel checklist of information with guidance document freely accessible.
Fair Payment Code and other payment initiatives
For fair and late payments, need to work together to add value.
Pre-planning delivery programmes and delay penalties
Proposed for housebuilders in government reform: Speeding Up Build Out.
High street health: converting a building for healthcare uses
The benefits of health centres acting as new anchor sites in the high street.
The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters: from ‘lady woodcarvers’ to professionals. Book review.
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.