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All Canada British Columbia Vancouver Woodward's Spiral Staircase to Nowhere

Woodward's Spiral Staircase to Nowhere

A unique spiral staircase that doesn't quite make it up to the top floor.

Vancouver, British Columbia

Added By
Jen G. Pywell
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Atrium of Woodward’s building.   Xicotencatl/cc by-sa 4.0
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About

In downtown Vancouver's Gastown neighborhood there is a unique spiral staircase that leads to nowhere. After it lands on the third floor it begins to loop upward again, but stops before reaching the top. 

The concrete staircase is located in an outdoor atrium of the Woodward's building, the location of the former department store by the same name that went bankrupt in the 1990s. The building was eventually torn down and redeveloped to include an outdoor plaza where the staircase to nowhere stands. There's also a public basketball court, and a 30-by-50-foot glass art installation by Stan Douglas depicting the Gastown Riot of 1971. 

The space has an upbeat and friendly community feel. While watching a pick-up basketball game a salsa class may show up and dance in front of shoppers walking by. You can watch this all at the top of the strange spiral staircase that towers above the space. The winding structure is reportedly meant to resemble an umbilical cord, representing new birth and new life in the neighborhood.

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Stairs Architectural Oddities Sculptures Architecture Installations

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Added By

jengphoto

Edited By

Meg

  • Meg

Published

October 5, 2018

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  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodward%27s_Building
Woodward's Spiral Staircase to Nowhere
128 W Cordova St
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
49.283024, -123.108024
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Nearby Places

'Abbott & Cordova, 7 August 1971'

Vancouver, British Columbia

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Photo of Vancouver

Vancouver

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Nearby Places

'Abbott & Cordova, 7 August 1971'

Vancouver, British Columbia

miles away

Gastown Steam Clock

Vancouver, British Columbia

miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Vancouver

Vancouver

British Columbia

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Stories 11

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