Municipal Modern Walking Tour

Discover the civic heart of Ambleside through the lens of mid‑century modernism. This year’s West Coast Modern Week walking tour—Municipal Modern—explores the 1960s–1970s moment when West Vancouver embraced a bold new architectural identity shaped by expressive concrete, clean lines, and a belief in modern civic life.

Led by experienced guides from North Shore Heritage, the tour highlights both the iconic municipal buildings and the surrounding apartment blocks that defined a new era of urban living. You’ll learn how architects adapted international modernist ideas to a compact upper Ambleside community, how to recognize defining mid‑century features, and how to distinguish original elements from later alterations. This tour also includes interior access to the West Vancouver Municipal Hall and Firehall #1.

Starting at the West Vancouver Municipal Hall, you should expect a walk of just over 2 km over approximately 2 hours at a comfortable pace.

This walking tour is hosted by North Shore Heritage and the West Vancouver Art Museum

There will be two tours per day on the following days:

Tuesday, July 7, 2025 

1. 10:00 am 

2. 10:45 am 

Thursday, July 9, 2025

3. 10:00 am 

4. 10:45 am 

Sunday, July 12, 2025  

5. 11:00 am 

6. 11:45 am