To stay in the city, dealership thinks smaller and taller

Placing the 120,000-square-foot (11,000-square-meter) dealership in a downtown location had to go vertically. The service department and new and used car inventory are located in the basement.

However, this had its own problems. The service hoist, minus the arms, had to be installed on the concrete floor before the upper building proceeded, requiring an extensive air handling system to keep the exhaust gases from leaking into the upper building.

“We have a huge cardboard compactor and baler. [taller] than eight feet,” said Harbottle.

Designed by Vancouver architect Bing Thom, the 55,000-square-foot (5,000-square-meter) multi-level showroom and office area showcases the full Toyota model line-up in the front area.

“They’re all oval shapes in the shape of the Toyota logo, all glass railings that get progressively larger as you go up,” Harbottle said.

luxury glass

Owner Jimmy Pattison began his business empire with the purchase of a General Motors (GM) dealership in Vancouver in 1961 and, as always, maintained a no-interference approach, Harbottle said. Told.

Pattison’s only concern—whether the tree-lined Burrard Street would obscure the exhibition windows—was dispelled when he saw a model of the building. Harbottle also cost him $400,000 to upgrade to imported non-reflective glass.

“When you drive by during the day, you can see it right away, so it’s definitely different,” says Harbottle. “And when it’s lit up at night, it’s spectacular.”