Why was the building originally constructed?

L. D. Taylor commissioned the building to house the operations of The Vancouver World newspaper.

What architectural features are visible on the exterior?

The exterior features a copper dome, steel construction, and terracotta figures supporting the cornice line.

Where were the exterior terracotta decorations fabricated?

Gibbs and Canning Limited produced the building terracotta components in Tamworth, Staffordshire, England.

How did the building acquire its current name?

The name changed after The Vancouver Sun bought the property to serve as its publishing headquarters.

Which screen productions used the tower exterior?

The exterior appeared as the Watchtower headquarters in the television series Smallville and was used in the Twilight film series.

Vancouver · Canada

Sun Tower: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

The Sun Tower rises above West Pender Street near Stadium-Chinatown station, providing a distinct visual orientation point for daily transit.

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Now in the citySun Tower+8°CRainupdated 09:07 PM Around here6

Exchange rate$1.40per 1 $CAD — the local currencyas of Nov 3, 2026

About the place

A landmark Beaux-Arts high-rise anchors the skyline with an authentic copper roof and sculpted terracotta maidens.

L. D. Taylor commissioned the Beaux-Arts high-rise to house The Vancouver World newspaper and showcase the publication across its entire distribution territory. John Coughland and Sons fabricated the structural steel in Vancouver to surpass the nearby Dominion Building. Later renamed after The Vancouver Sun bought the property, the building retained its title long after the newspaper moved its offices elsewhere.

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English ceramic manufacturer Gibbs and Canning produced the distinctive terracotta detailing and the sculpted maidens along the cornice line in Staffordshire. A famous urban climber, Harry Gardiner, once scaled the exterior walls before massive public crowds. In modern cinema, the tower portrayed the Justice League headquarters in Smallville and provided exterior backdrops for The Twilight Saga.

The distinctive dome originally featured painted steel mimicking green patina, but extensive heritage restoration replaced the cladding with real penny-toned copper tiles. Commuters walking past the Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station along West Pender Street encounter a restored heritage facade that continues to define the boundary between downtown commercial streets and historical neighbourhoods.

Associations

Copper DomeRestored metal tiles replaced the original painted steel cladding.
Terracotta MaidensCornice muses were sculpted in Staffordshire by Gibbs and Canning.
Smallville WatchtowerExterior shots depicted the Justice League headquarters on television.
Address RenumberingStrict municipal bylaws forced an address change after infill building.

Facts

John Coughland and Sons fabricated the structural steel for the building in Vancouver.
Gibbs and Canning Limited produced the architectural terracotta in Staffordshire, England.
Harry Gardiner climbed the exterior of the tower in front of gathered crowds.
Television producers modified the exterior dome with clocks to represent the Watchtower in Smallville.

Updated September 21, 2026Source: Wikipedia

Sun Tower: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around6

A landmark Beaux-Arts high-rise anchors the skyline with an authentic copper roof and sculpted terracotta maidens.

Getting there and staying

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