Butterfly + First Baptist Church Complex Vancouver, Westbank Corp British Columbia buildings, BC property images

Butterfly + First Baptist Church Complex in Vancouver

December 10, 2025

Architect: Revery Architecture

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The Butterfly Takes Flight: Vancouver’s Newest Tower Anchored by First Baptist Church Complex Reshapes Skyline and Redefines Quality of Life in Urban Cities

photo © Ema Peter, courtesy of Revery Architecture

The Butterfly + First Baptist Church Complex Marks Completion and Introduces a Blueprint for Exceptional Vertical Living Anchored in Community and Culture

Butterfly + First Baptist Church Complex Vancouver Building, BC, Canada

VANCOUVER, CANADA – DECEMBER 8, 2025 – Spanning 605,000 square feet, The Butterfly + First Baptist Church Complex brings together an iconic 57-storey residential tower, a mid-rise social housing building, and a masterfully restored and expanded Gothic Revival landmark—shaping a bold new vision for the future of vertical living in Vancouver’s urban landscape.

photo © Ema Peter, courtesy of Revery Architecture

Designed by Revery Architecture for Westbank Corp. and the First Baptist Church, The Butterfly’s flowing silhouette rises in lyrical counterpoint to the enduring façade of the original 1900s heritage church. Evoking themes of time, nature, and the evolving spirit of place, the development transcends the conventional residential model, metamorphosing into a vibrant, imaginative urban ecosystem.

photo © Ema Peter, courtesy of Revery Architecture

“The Butterfly reinvents what a vertical lifestyle looks like and how it can enhance the urban experience for residents and the community,” said Venelin Kokalov, Design Principal at Revery Architecture. “Inspired by the ephemeral nature of clouds, the tower’s distinctive form establishes a bold new landmark in Vancouver. The project blends private residences with publicly accessible courtyards and heritage space, fusing old and new, and brings people together. I’m proud of our team’s relentless effort and dedication in realizing this architectural feat.”

photos © Ema Peter, courtesy of Revery Architecture

The Butterfly + First Baptist Church complex represents a convergence between nature and community by creatively harmonizing church land, civic space, and high-density living. The completed mixed-use development anchors social infrastructure to architecture, responding to the city’s growing demand for affordability, social integration, and exceptional sustainability.

photo © Ema Peter, courtesy of Revery Architecture

From envelope to energy systems, the complex’s commitment to environmental performance is deeply embedded. Targeting LEED Gold standards, the project reduces operational carbon by 68% (up to 85% when leveraging renewable energy from the onsite district energy plant), energy use by 45%, and energy costs by 25%—surpassing City of Vancouver requirements for tall buildings and large sites. A water management strategy reduces potable water use by 50% and domestic water use by 35%, while promoting long-term resource conservation.

photo © Hufton + Crow, courtesy of Revery Architecture

The tower’s curved massing optimizes views and daylight while minimizing lateral load and urban shadow impact. A high-performance R-15 precast envelope, paired with moderate glazing ratios and four-pipe fan coil systems, support year-round comfort with reduced demand on mechanical systems. Daylighting, natural ventilation, thermal comfort and integral shading strategies are embedded across all building zones—from the tower’s breezeways to the church’s reoriented courtyards.

photos © Hufton + Crow, courtesy of Revery Architecture

The Butterfly’s distinctive form establishes a bold new landmark for Vancouver, gracefully announcing the high point of the city’s downtown peninsula and the gateway into its vibrant West End neighbourhood.

To learn more, visit: The Butterfly + First Baptist Church Complex

photo © Hufton + Crow, courtesy of Revery Architecture

Revery Architecture

Revery is an internationally recognized architecture, interior design, and planning practice. The firm is committed to a philosophy of ‘Building Beyond Buildings’, which articulates their passion for placemaking and aligning architecture with broader community initiatives to shape inspiring, authentically responsive spaces that stimulate human interactions, engage the senses, improve quality of life, and bring joy.

photo © Hufton + Crow, courtesy of Revery Architecture

At the core of the practice is a commitment to realize designs that are resilient, transformative, and supportive of individual, civic, and global sustainability goals. The team believes that buildings should be inspirational, make a positive impact, and enrich the social, economic, and environmental conditions of their communities. For more information, visit: www.reveryarchitecture.com.

photo © Hufton + Crow, courtesy of Revery Architecture