The Ignivarion Story

More than a century of hospitality, elegance, and memories

1898 - A Vision Takes Shape

The Beginning

William Ignivarion, a Scottish railroad magnate with a taste for the finer things, fell head over heels for Vancouver's rugged coastline. He dreamed up something grand - a place where travelers could rest their heads in style after crossing the Canadian wilderness. The foundation stone was laid on a crisp autumn morning, and honestly, the rest is history.

1902 - Grand Opening

The Doors Open

Three years of construction brought us to opening day - May 15th, 1902. The lobby was packed with Vancouver's who's who, champagne flowing like water. Our 87 rooms were fully booked for the first six months straight. People couldn't get enough of the marble staircases and hand-carved woodwork shipped all the way from Europe.

1925 - The Jazz Era

Roaring Twenties

The twenties hit different here. We added the Grand Ballroom - still the beating heart of our event space today. Jazz bands played till dawn, and rumor has it a few speakeasy gatherings happened in our basement during prohibition. Can't confirm or deny, but the stories sure are fun.

1947 - Post-War Renaissance

Rebuilding & Renewal

After the war years, we knew it was time for a refresh. Elizabeth Ignivarion, William's granddaughter, took the reins and brought in fresh ideas while keeping grandpa's vision alive. She added modern plumbing throughout (thank goodness) and created what's now our Heritage Spa. Smart woman, that one.

1978 - Heritage Designation

Protected Status

The city officially designated us as a heritage building - made us all pretty proud, honestly. It meant preserving the original facade, those gorgeous stained glass windows, and the oak-paneled library. We've got rules to follow now, but it's worth it to keep the old girl looking sharp.

2010 - Modern Restoration

The Big Upgrade

We closed for eight months - first time ever - for a massive restoration. Added fiber optic internet, renovated all the suites, upgraded the restaurant kitchen. But here's the thing: we kept every original detail we could. The chandeliers got cleaned, not replaced. The floors got refinished, not ripped out. That's the Ignivarion way.

2025 - Today & Tomorrow

The Legacy Continues

Here we are, still standing strong on West Georgia Street. We've hosted royalty, rock stars, and regular folks celebrating their anniversaries. Every guest adds another chapter to our story. William would be pretty chuffed to see how we've honored his dream while moving with the times. Come stay with us - you'll become part of the legacy too.