Centuries in the Making
Look, we won't bore you with every single date, but this place? It's got stories that'd make your history teacher jealous.
1847 - The Beginning
Built by Colonel James Warspire as a coastal defense stronghold. The guy was a bit paranoid about naval attacks, honestly, but hey - his paranoia gave us these incredible stone walls that're three feet thick in some spots. You can still see his family crest carved above the main gate.
1892 - Military Service
Became an actual military garrison for about 40 years. The soldiers' quarters are now some of our coziest suites - though they've got way better mattresses than those poor guys had back then. We found old letters tucked into the walls during renovations. Heavy stuff.
1934 - The Quiet Years
After the military left, the fortress kinda just... sat here. Local kids told ghost stories about it. Some preservationists fought to save it from demolition in the 60s. Thank goodness they won that battle, right?
2018 - The Transformation
A seven-year restoration project began. We're talking master stonemasons, heritage architects, the works. Every stone was documented. Every arch was reinforced while keeping its original character. It was basically surgery on a building.
2024 - Grand Opening
We opened our doors just last year. The fortress finally got the second life it deserved - protecting guests from boring hotels instead of naval invasions. Colonel Warspire would probably be confused, but we think he'd approve.
"We didn't just restore a building. We gave new purpose to a place that watched Vancouver grow up around it. That's pretty special when you think about it."
- Margaret Chen, Heritage Architect
History Meets Comfort
Yeah, the walls are 178 years old. But your shower? State-of-the-art. That's the whole idea here - you get the atmosphere without sacrificing a single modern comfort.
Rooms That Tell Stories
Original stone walls, vaulted ceilings, arrow-slit windows turned into cozy reading nooks. Then you've got heated floors, rainfall showers, and beds so comfortable you'll forget you're sleeping in a room that once housed soldiers. We even kept some of the old iron hooks and rings - they're kinda cool conversation pieces.
The Underground Spa
Remember those old ammunition storage chambers? They're our spa now. The natural stone keeps everything at the perfect temperature year-round. Getting a massage surrounded by 19th-century masonry hits different, trust me. There's something about those thick walls that just makes you relax deeper.
Dining in the Great Hall
The original assembly hall where officers once planned strategies? Now it's where our chef serves up incredible food. Twenty-foot ceilings with massive wooden beams, fireplaces you could literally walk into, and chandeliers that took six people to install. But the acoustics are so good that conversations stay intimate even when the hall's full.
The Wine Vaults
What used to be storage vaults are now perfect for aging wine - who knew? Constant temperature, natural humidity, zero light. We've got bottles down there worth more than some cars. Our sommelier Pierre gives tours and he's got stories that'll make you laugh and learn at the same time.
What Makes Us Different
Actual History
Not a replica, not a theme. These walls saw real events.
No Compromises
Modern luxury hidden seamlessly within historic architecture.
Personal Touch
We're small enough that staff actually remembers your name.
Location
In Vancouver but feels like you've traveled through time and space.
The People Behind the Place
Look, fancy buildings are great and all, but it's really the people who make this place work. Our team's a weird mix of history nerds, hospitality pros, and folks who just genuinely love what they do.
We've got former museum curators working alongside chefs trained in Michelin-starred kitchens. Historians who can tell you about every beam in the ceiling, and housekeepers who somehow make 178-year-old rooms feel fresh every single day.
Maria's been here since the restoration started - she supervised the whole project and now manages everything. Ask her about the time they found a hidden room behind a false wall. Danny runs the kitchen and he's obsessed with using old cooking methods in new ways. And Thomas? He gives historical tours that're actually entertaining, which is harder than it sounds.
We're not gonna lie - working in a heritage building isn't always easy. But everyone here genuinely wants you to have an experience you'll talk about for years. That's the whole point, isn't it?
Come See For Yourself
Photos don't do it justice, honestly. You gotta feel those stone walls.