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Morris J. Wosk Centre For Dialogue

Created to facilitate dialogue and enhance interaction, the Centre for Dialogue is downtown Vancouver’s premier meeting space.SFU’s award-winning renovation of a magnificent old bank building was designed specifically for meetings and conferences.

With its stunning architecture, generous natural light, ergonomic furnishings and state-of-the-art technology, the Centre for Dialogue offers the very best environment to stimulate discussion and share ideas.

Meeting space includes the prestigious Asia Pacific Hall, with its dramatic setting and circular seating, designed specifically to encourage dialogue. There are a number of flexible meeting spaces within the Centre for Dialogue along with a soaring, light-filled atrium, the perfect place to gather for refreshments or a reception.

The Centre for Dialogue offers a team of meeting professionals and A/V staff on-site to ensure your meeting is successful. In addition, a business centre and catering services are available for all your meeting needs. The Centre for Dialogue adjoins the Delta Vancouver Hotel and Suites.

History

The Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue was originally built as a Toronto Dominion Bank. Designed by architect W. Marbury Summerville, the branch opened in 1920, becoming BC’s head office in 1955. The branch closed in 1984 and the building remained vacant for several years. It was purchased by Allied Holdings, with plans to open a hotel on the site.

In 1989, Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre opened across the street from the old bank. Dr. Jack Blaney, President of SFU at the time, began to imagine other uses for this historic bank building. In 1993, Allied Holdings agreed to move its hotel to the centre of the block and donated the old TD building to SFU as an international conference centre. The City of Vancouver gave the building a Class A heritage designation.

In July 1997, Scott Construction began the renovation, which included the preservation of the exterior limestone, terracotta cornice and Edwardian coffered ceiling, as well as seismic upgrading and new interior construction. That same year, the federal government contributed four million dollars as its legacy for Canada’s Year of Asia Pacific, and the magnificent central dialogue hall was named Asia Pacific Hall.

When Vancouver philanthropist Morris J. Wosk donated three million dollars to the centre in 1999, the university named the centre after him in grateful recognition of his generosity.

The Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue was officially opened in September 2000 by Lt. Governor Garde Gardom. Since opening, the Wosk Centre has hosted thousands of local, national and international gatherings.

Location

Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue
580 West Hastings Street
(enter via Seymour Street courtyard entrance)
Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 1L6

The Centre for Dialogue is located in downtown Vancouver's Heritage District, close to historic Gastown, theatres, galleries and sports arenas. SFU’s other meeting venues are close by—Harbour Centre, the main downtown campus, is across the street, the Segal Building is one block away and the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts is three blocks away.

The city's principal transportation hub, Waterfront Station, is also one block away, providing access to public transit, including the SeaBus, SkyTrain and West Coast Express.

Vancouver’s international airport (YVR) is just 35 minutes by car.  Rapid transit between the airport and downtown Vancouver, the Canada Line, is only one block from the Centre for Dialogue. Nearly all of Vancouver's major hotels are within a short walking distance, along with shopping districts, art galleries and restaurants.

The Vancouver Convention Centre is an easy seven-minute walk from the Centre for Dialogue.

Directions

Driving from Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
From the airport, proceed north along the Arthur Laing Bridge to Granville Street. Head north on Granville Street into downtown Vancouver. After crossing the Granville Street Bridge, take the Seymour Street exit and continue north on Seymour. Turn right into the Centre for Dialogue, just before reaching Hastings Street.

Parking
Public parking is available at many locations near the Centre for Dialogue. Street parking is free after 10 p.m. The closest parking lot is across the courtyard; enter via Seymour Street.

Public Transit
Major public transit lines, the SeaBus, SkyTrain, Canada Line and West Coast Express, terminate at Waterfront Station, located in the historic Canadian Pacific Railway Station on Cordova Street, opposite Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre. Transit schedules can be found at www.translink.ca. The Centre for Dialogue is also within easy walking distance of most buses coming into the downtown core.