It’s gone. If you walk up to the corner of Georgia and Howe today, you won’t find the familiar, understated luxury of the Four Seasons Vancouver BC Canada. Instead, you’ll find a massive construction site or the evolving shell of what is becoming the CF Pacific Centre redevelopment. For over 40 years, this wasn't just a hotel; it was the city's living room.
People are still confused. I get asked all the time if it moved to a new building or if it’s just "under renovation." The truth is a bit more complicated—and a lot more corporate—than a simple coat of fresh paint.
The hotel officially shut its doors on January 20, 2020. It wasn't because they ran out of guests. Honestly, the place was usually packed with celebrities, high-net-worth business travelers, and locals grabbing a legendary burger at YEW seafood + bar. The closure was the climax of a messy, multi-year legal battle between the hotel brand and the landlord, Cadillac Fairview.
The Messy Divorce Behind the 2020 Closure
You’d think a brand like Four Seasons would be untouchable.
They aren't.
In 2017, Cadillac Fairview (the folks who own the Pacific Centre mall it sat on top of) filed a lawsuit. They claimed the Four Seasons was failing to meet "world-class" standards. They basically said the hotel was looking tired and that the management wasn't keeping up with the luxury competition popping up around town, like the Fairmont Pacific Rim or the Rosewood Hotel Georgia.
Four Seasons fired back, obviously. But by 2018, the writing was on the wall. They reached an agreement to vacate the premises by 2020. It was the end of an era for a building that had stood since 1976.
What made the Four Seasons Vancouver so different?
It’s easy to look at a tower and see glass and concrete. But this place had soul. It wasn’t the flashiest hotel in the city—not by a long shot. The rooms were actually getting a bit small by modern standards. But the service? That’s where they killed it.
I remember talking to a former concierge who mentioned how they used to keep a literal database of which guests preferred oat milk before it was even a "thing." That’s the stuff you can’t just replicate with a fancy lobby.
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The hotel was physically attached to the Pacific Centre mall. You could literally walk out of the lobby and be at Nordstrom or Holt Renfrew in thirty seconds. For shoppers, it was paradise. For those seeking a secluded, ultra-private getaway, it was... well, it was a bit busy.
The Transition to "Civic Hotel" and the Future
So, what happened to the staff and the vibe? Most of the team scattered to the winds. Some went to the Fairmonts, others left the industry during the pandemic.
But here is the real kicker: Vancouver is currently the only major "world city" on the West Coast without a Four Seasons property. Seattle has one. San Francisco has two. Los Angeles has several.
Cadillac Fairview didn't leave the space empty for long. They’ve been working on a massive overhaul to bring in a new luxury brand. The space is being reimagined as a "lifestyle" destination. But for those of us who grew up going to the Four Seasons for Sunday brunch or a post-work cocktail at YEW, the new glass-and-steel aesthetic feels a bit cold.
The Competition Stepped Up
When the Four Seasons Vancouver BC Canada left the scene, it created a massive vacuum.
- The Rosewood Hotel Georgia: This is arguably where the "old money" went. It’s right across the street. It’s historic, moody, and has that incredible Prohibition bar.
- Fairmont Pacific Rim: This is where the "new money" goes. It’s loud, it’s vibrant, and the lobby lounge feels like a fashion show.
- Shangri-La Vancouver: For the people who want the highest views in the city and a bit of Zen-inspired quiet.
If you're looking for that specific Four Seasons "feel" today, you're honestly out of luck in the downtown core. No one quite does that mix of Canadian politeness and obsessive attention to detail the same way.
Why the Building Itself Was a Problem
Let’s be real for a second. The building was a bit of a brutalist relic.
Built in the mid-70s, it had low ceilings in some areas. The plumbing was aging. To bring it up to the 2026 standards of a modern ultra-luxury hotel would have required stripping the building down to its skeleton.
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In the world of high-stakes real estate, sometimes it’s cheaper to just end the lease and start over with a brand that’s willing to pay higher rent for a shiny new concept. That’s essentially what happened here. Cadillac Fairview wanted a "modern" luxury experience that matched their mall's high-end trajectory.
Looking for a Four Seasons in BC Now?
If you have your heart set on the brand and you're in British Columbia, you have to head north.
The Four Seasons Resort Whistler is still very much alive and kicking. It’s actually one of the best mountain resorts in their entire global portfolio. It has that same DNA—the incredible beds, the staff who remember your name, and the "Ski Concierge" that makes you feel like royalty.
But in Vancouver proper? It’s a waiting game.
Rumors have been swirling for years about a new Four Seasons tower being built as part of a different development—possibly near the waterfront or as part of a new mixed-use skyscraper. Nothing has been officially signed in blood yet.
The YEW Factor
We have to talk about the food. YEW seafood + bar was a legitimate destination. Most hotel restaurants are where you go when you're too tired to leave the building. YEW was where you went for a date or a power lunch.
When the hotel closed, the city lost one of its best seafood spots. The chef, the bartenders, the atmosphere—it was a specific "West Coast" vibe that combined cedar wood, glass, and very fresh oysters.
Is the Brand Ever Coming Back to Vancouver?
Most industry insiders say it's a matter of "when," not "if."
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Vancouver’s real estate is some of the most expensive in the world. For Four Seasons to return, they need a flagship-worthy location. They aren't going to settle for a B-list corner. They want something with a view of the North Shore mountains and the Burrard Inlet.
Until then, the ghost of the Four Seasons Vancouver BC Canada lives on in the memories of travelers who remember the original "luxury" era of the city.
What You Should Do Instead
Since you can't book a room at the Georgia Street location anymore, here is how you should pivot your Vancouver travel plans to get a similar experience:
- Book the Rosewood Hotel Georgia if you want the heritage feel and the same central downtown location. It's literally a few steps away from where the Four Seasons stood.
- Head to Whistler if you are loyal to the Four Seasons brand. The drive is about 90 minutes, and the property is significantly more "resort-style" than the old Vancouver city hotel.
- Check out the Loden Hotel for a boutique experience. It’s smaller, but the service level is often compared to the Four Seasons for its personalized touch.
- Visit the Botanist at Fairmont Pacific Rim if you’re mourning the loss of YEW. The cocktail program there is world-class and carries that same "Pacific Northwest" soul.
The loss of the Four Seasons was a turning point for Vancouver's hospitality scene. It signaled the end of the "standard" luxury era and the beginning of a much more competitive, design-forward landscape. It’s a bit sad, honestly. There was something comforting about that old lobby.
But the city moves on.
If you're planning a trip to BC in 2026, don't let the old Google Maps listings fool you. The hotel is gone, but the high-end service culture it helped build in Vancouver is still very much alive in the hotels that rose up to take its place.
Actionable Steps for Travelers
- Verify your bookings: If a third-party site claims to be booking you into the Four Seasons Vancouver (not Whistler), it’s a scam or an outdated listing.
- Explore the West End: Many former Four Seasons staff members moved to smaller boutique hotels in the West End and Coal Harbour.
- Watch the News: Keep an eye on developers like Westbank; they are the most likely candidates to eventually announce a partnership to bring the brand back to the city skyline.
Next Steps for You
If you're trying to figure out where to stay now that the Four Seasons is gone, you should look into the specific amenities of the Fairmont Pacific Rim or the Rosewood. Both offer the same level of concierge service but with very different aesthetics. Make sure to check recent 2025 and 2026 reviews, as many Vancouver hotels have recently undergone their own post-pandemic refreshes.