Science World to Paradox Tower: How We've Been Building Vancouver for 70 Years

View of a city from the water. Densely packed high-rise buildings line the water.

With its scenic views, mild climate and welcoming spirit, Vancouver is known around the world as a top travel destination and one of the best places to live.

Vancouver is a city of contrasts. Towering skyscrapers rise beside lush green parks. The Pacific Ocean laps one side, mountains dominate the other.

Builders in Vancouver embrace these contrasts. The city’s high-rises are densely packed. Yet view corridors allow occupants to enjoy its natural beauty.

Amrize helps builders realize this vision. From vintage icons like Science World to avant-garde architecture like Paradox Tower, our local sites have been building Vancouver for over 70 years.

Join us on a tour of Vancouver’s building history, including the plants that have helped construct some of its most beloved landmarks.

Richmond Cement Plant: The West Coast original since 1958

Aerial view of an industrial complex and cement plant by a wide river under a cloudy blue sky. Mountains and the city skyline are visible in the distance. There is "’50s" in bold white text above.

Located on the south arm of the Fraser River near the city of Richmond, Amrize’s Richmond Cement Plant holds a special place in the company’s history as its first cement manufacturing site in North America.

Richmond may be Amrize’s first North American cement facility, but it’s also one of its most innovative.

Commissioned in 1958 and expanded over the decades, the plant is now home to carbon capture technology and an alternative fuels system that co-processes materials in the kiln and preheater.

Over 150 colleagues produce more than one million tons of cement annually at this flagship location right on the Fraser River.

Kent Avenue Ready-Mix: Delivering the right blend for more than 50 years

Aerial view of an industrial area with several large warehouses and a river. The skyline and distant cityscape are visible under a clear blue sky. There is "’70s" in bold white text above.

The Kent Ave Ready-Mix Plant is the main office for Amrize’s Greater Vancouver Area ready-mix business, known for its high efficiency and production accuracy.

Aerial view of a concrete plant by a river, featuring storage silos, large piles of gravel, concrete trucks, and industrial buildings, with lush greenery and bridges in the background.

It has served as a steel yard, block production facility and aggregate depot. But today, Kent Avenue is the primary ready-mix hub for Greater Vancouver—meeting 20% of Amrize’s supply needs in the region.

A core part of Vancouver’s construction since the 1970s, the South Vancouver location benefits from on-site fleet maintenance and deliveries by sea from Amrize’s Earle Creek aggregate site.

It’s future-ready too. Kent Avenue underwent major renovations over the past year to support current and anticipated demand for critical infrastructure and development.

Science World: An 80s icon of spherical proportions

Scenic view of a waterfront city skyline. Prominent geodesic dome, vibrant red accents, and a clear blue sky overhead. There is "’80s" in bold white text above.

Science World is a hands-on science museum in Vancouver, known for its iconic dome that shines along the False Creek waterfront.

What Amrize provided: Pile foundation

Estimated completion: 1980s

Few structures define the Vancouver skyline as much as Science World. The geodesic dome was built for Expo ’86, yet still looks futuristic today.

Amrize provided the concrete for the pile foundation that supports the massive metal dome structure, illustrating how concrete is at the heart of many structures, even those famous for their metal or glass façades.

Rogers Arena: Home ice (and dancefloor) in the heart of the city

Aerial view of a cityscape with two large stadiums and modern skyscrapers under a blue sky with scattered clouds. A waterfront and roadways are visible in the foreground. There is “2000s” in bold white text above.

Located in downtown Vancouver, Rogers Arena is home to the city’s NHL team and a hub for major sports and entertainment events.

What Amrize provided: Concrete

Completion: 1995

Hockey fans know it as the home of the Vancouver Canucks, but Rogers Arena’s fame goes beyond sports. Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Metallica, Coldplay, and Dua Lipa are among the luminaries who’ve played at the venue since its completion in 1995.

Amrize supplied the concrete for what has become one of Vancouver’s most iconic destinations. It embodies the city’s vibrant culture and die-hard passion for hockey.

Canada Line & Cambie Corridor: Rapid transit crosses the finish line early for the 2010 Olympics

Blue sign reading "Canada Line" with a train icon, indicating a transit route. There is "2000s" in bold white text above.

Connecting downtown Vancouver with the airport and Richmond, the Canada Line was built to improve travel and is now one of the city’s key rapid transit routes.

What Amrize provided: Concrete, precast components and aggregates

Completion: 2009

With the 2010 Olympic Winter Games around the corner, Vancouver needed a new way to get people around town. The Canada Line was the answer: a rapid transit corridor running underground along Cambie Street, linking Vancouver International Airport (YVR) with downtown.

Amrize supplied precast components along the route, as well as concrete for the infrastructure and stops, such as Marine Drive Station. True to Olympic form, we moved fast. The project was completed 15 weeks ahead of schedule and reshaped how people moved through the city.

Olympic Village: From Olympian accommodation to homes for the rest of us

Sunset view of a cityscape with modern high-rise buildings reflecting warm light across a calm river. The sky is a soft gradient of pink to blue. The word “2010s” is in bold white text above.

Built to house athletes during the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver’s Olympic Village provided a secure and centralized location for competitors while supporting the city’s Games operations.

What Amrize provided: 150,000 m³ (5.3M ft³) concrete

Completion: 2010

Vancouver’s Olympic Village has had many lives. Once an underused industrial area, it was transformed to house more than 2,800 athletes during the 2010 Winter Games. Amrize aided this transformation, providing concrete for the mid-rise buildings constructed for the event.

After the games, the neighborhood was converted into more than 1,000 homes, along with shops, restaurants and public spaces. Olympic Village Square now anchors the area, complete with eye-catching public art that has become a local landmark.

Port Mann Highway and Bridge: Going wide to break records in the 2010s

A suspension bridge spans across a river with vehicles traveling on it. The background features distant mountains against a clear blue sky. The word “2010s” is in bold white text above.

As part of the province’s Gateway Program, the Port Mann Bridge was completely rebuilt as a wider, more modern structure, replacing the original bridge that was built in the 60s to meet the region’s growing transportation needs.

What Amrize provided: 300,000 m³ (10.6M ft³) of concrete

Completion: 2012

When opened in 2013, the new Port Mann Bridge set a world record for width among long-span bridges. Spanning the Fraser River between Surrey and Coquitlam, this bridge stands as one of British Columbia’s most significant infrastructure achievements.

Amrize supplied concrete for the entire Port Mann Highway 1 (PMH1) project—including the cable-stayed bridge, interchanges, highway expansions, and abutments. The bridge carries 10 lanes of Highway 1 across nearly half a kilometer. With soaring towers, hundreds of cables and massive precast elements, Port Mann remains a powerful example of what’s possible when performance and precision come together.

Surrey City Center Library: A place to check out books and architecture

An image of a building at dusk with lights shining through its large windows and a clear, darkening sky behind.

The 77,000-square-foot library emphasizes spaciousness, with big windows, grand staircases and lots of room to roam, meet and read.

An aerial view of a rectangular, multi-story library in the midst of the surrounding city.

A photo of a multi-story modern library under construction and surrounded by cranes with snow-capped mountains in the distant background.

What Amrize provided: 25,560 sq ft of 60-mil Elevate UltraPly™ TPO, 3" ISOGARD™ GL insulation, and a 25-year Red Shield™ Warranty

Completion: November 2010

Reminiscent of a cruise ship, the main branch of the Surrey Library stands as a landmark near the Surrey City Hall. Beyond its striking visual profile, the building plays a functional role. Its extensive green roof aids in stormwater management while providing an aesthetically pleasing landscape for the community.

Amrize provided a durable roofing solution designed to protect the building, its books, and the people who visit. Beneath the vegetative roof lies an Elevate UltraPly TPO roofing system supported by 3 inches of ISOGARD GL insulation. With a 25-year Red Shield Warranty, this project highlights how environmentally conscious materials can provide the long-term security needed for a vital public space.

Paradox Vancouver: A room with a view—and a twist

The twisting top of a modern glass and concrete skyscraper reaching into the dusk sky.

Standing tall in the city, the building is widely recognized for its twisting design and previous history as a mixed-use tower with offices, retail and residences. (Photo: Paradox Vancouver)

A scenic waterfront path lined with lush trees curves towards modern skyscrapers and a marina filled with sailboats. Cyclists and walkers enjoy the sunny day.

(Photo: Paradox Vancouver)

Aerial view of a cityscape at dusk, featuring illuminated skyscrapers near a body of water, with dark mountains and scattered city lights in the background.

(Photo: Paradox Vancouver)

What Amrize provided: Concrete

Estimated completion: 2016

Rising 69 storeys above West Georgia Street, Paradox Vancouver is one of downtown’s most recognizable residential and hotel buildings.

Amrize supplied the concrete for this architecturally distinctive structure, designed with a subtle twist that changes shape floor by floor.

Each rotation creates unique layouts and views, giving every residence a different perspective of the city, mountains and ocean. The tower adds a bold silhouette to the skyline and reflects Vancouver’s appetite for innovative design.

Oakridge Park: Walkability, defined, coming later this year

Aerial view of a modern urban skyline featuring sleek high-rise buildings with curved designs surrounded by greenery, labeled "2020s." Urban, futuristic atmosphere.

In the heart of the city, Oakridge Park—one of Canada’s largest redevelopment projects—is set to define Vancouver’s retail scene with a mix of shopping, dining, residences and wellness experiences. (Photo: Oakridge Park)

Futuristic skyline of tall, sleek buildings surrounded by lush greenery. Aerial view showcases park-like roofs, walking paths, and birds flying above.

(Photo: Oakridge Park)

Modern, spacious food court with wood accents, greenery, and natural light from skylights. People dine and socialize at tables, creating a lively atmosphere.

(Photo: Oakridge Park)

What Amrize provided: 250,000 m³ (8.8M ft³) of concrete and recycled aggregates from site excavation

Estimated completion: 2026

Seven decades ago, Vancouver opened Oakridge Mall—one of Canada’s most successful shopping destinations. Now, the property is being reimagined as the mixed-use “city within a city,” Oakridge Park.

High-end retail—Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Rolex—will sit alongside artful residential units. Amrize is supplying concrete and reused on-site aggregates to bring the 14-tower, 44-storey vision to life.

St. Paul’s Hospital and Clinical Support and Research Centre (CSRC): Bringing more care in 2027

Aerial view of a construction site for a large building amidst an urban landscape, with cranes and city skyline in the background. Bold white text "2020s" sits above.

Serving patients from across British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital is a leading acute-care and specialty teaching hospital and its redevelopment project will help expand its capacity and services. (Photo: Providence Health Care)

What Amrize provided: 120,000 m3 (4.2M ft3) concrete, 145,000 MT (160,000 short tons), aggregates and fill material

Estimated completion: 2027

The new St. Paul’s Hospital and adjacent Clinical Support and Research Center (CSRC) are designed to treat emergencies and withstand them. The facilities incorporate advanced structural systems to remain operational during crises, so they can continue to deliver clinical care, research and innovation.

Amrize is supplying concrete, construction aggregates and fill material for the project, which will form a major healthcare and research hub for the province. The CSRC will connect directly to the hospital via a sky-bridge, bringing clinicians, educators and scientists together on one integrated campus.

Marpole Transit Centre: An electrifying future for Vancouver transit

A digital rendering of the new transit terminal showcasing modern architecture and spacious design. The word “2020s” is in bold white text and sits above.

Located on Vancouver’s south side, the Marpole Transit Centre is a key public transit hub that will expand the city’s bus network and help TransLink work towards its goal of 100% net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. (Photo: Translink)

What Amrize provided: 20,000 tonnes (22,000 short tons) of cement for soil stabilization and 20,000m³ (706,000 ft³) of piles

Estimated completion: 2028

The Marpole Transit Centre represents the future of Vancouver’s transportation network. Designed to support a fleet of 300 electric buses, the three-level complex includes bus storage, dedicated charging infrastructure, an electrical substation and top-level offices and parking spaces.

Amrize cement and concrete is helping build this large-scale facility, which includes a separate maintenance building with repair bays, body shops, parts storage and support areas for mechanics. Designed with flexibility in mind, the center can adapt as transit needs change, supporting the growing Marpole and Marine Gateway communities.

Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel: Where the natural environment and the built environment will coexist

Skyline of a city, bordered by dense autumn trees and serene water. “2020s” white bold text sits above.

Deep beneath Stanley Park, the Stanley Park Water Tunnel is being constructed to replace a 1930s-era water main to provide safe and reliable water service for Metro Vancouver as the old infrastructure reaches the end of its life.

What Amrize provided: Concrete

Estimated completion: 2029

Stanley Park is revered as a 1,000-acre natural space right near the heart of Vancouver. But beneath the serene forest, a complex engineering feat is underway.

Gone will be the decades-old water main. In its place, a new underground system. Amrize is contributing ready-mix concrete to this large-scale effort, which involves boring a tunnel more than a kilometer long under the park.

Once complete, the tunnel will increase water capacity and strengthen the region’s core infrastructure, quietly supporting millions of residents for generations to come.

Read more about Amrize's role building our cities