Big changes are on the way for Vancouver’s downtown skyline. Five new high-rise projects are currently in the works and more are on the way. Bold, creative and architecturally adventurous designs are what makes these developments different.

Westbank Corp. is one of the heavy hitters in the market looking to make its mark. It is developing the 59-storey Vancouver House by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels.

“We wanted to create a moment in the skyline that would take your breath away,” explained Westbank Corp. founder Ian Gillespie.

Vancouver House will be a prominent feature at the head of Granville Street, the entrance to the downtown core.

It doesn’t stop there. Westbank has also proposed a 43-storey development to be built on Alberni Street, the first North American high-rise by renowned Japanese Architect Kengo Kuma. It’s a unique sculpture-like design that rises to the sky with sweeping curves.

Another 56-storey high-rise will be built on Burrard incorporating the First Baptist Church. The exterior has a Zen-like feel with the appearance of rolling waves that seem to incorporate the bodies of water surrounding the city.

“I think we’ll continue to see more. I think architects and developers, their clients, are pushing to try and do something different to make their buildings special and interesting,” said Anita Molaro, Vancouver’s Assistant Director of Urban Design.

Reliance Properties has proposed a unique 25-storey micro suite tower on Davie Street. The suites will be compact, ranging in size from 175 to 275 square feet. It’s an opportunity to cater to first time buyers in the densely populated West End. The architect is Neil M. Denari.

Bosa Properties has bold development proposed on Georgia. Fifty-one-storeys with large cube shape projections from various sides offering sweeping views of the city and surroundings. It’s a creation of German architect Ole Scheeren.

“Reminds me of Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai a bit,” said one Vancouver resident while looking over the designs of all the proposed developments.

However, Gillespie says it’s important that Vancouver does not go down that road. He calls these creatively designed high-rises works of art or ‘moments’ on the skyline and says they must be chosen carefully.

“You have to be careful, because a city can have only so many of those moments,” Gillespie summarized.

Although the designs may look futuristic now, it can take up to ten years to get to completion and trends may have changed by then.