Church Of Scientology Buys 112-Year-Old Vancouver Heritage Building For $18M

A 112-year-old brick building across from BC Place is getting a new life after the Church of Scientology of British Columbia paid $18M for one of downtown Vancouver’s surviving early commercial properties.

The organization acquired 780 Beatty St. from Petrina Enterprises, with Avison Young handling the sale. The four-storey Class B heritage building has been marketed as a 47K-SF mix of office, showroom and retail space.

The Church tells Connect the property will become its new Vancouver home and an “Ideal Church of Scientology,” replacing a presence at 401 West Hastings St. that dates to 1980.

The move “represents the next major chapter in the Church’s nearly six-decade history in Vancouver,” the organization said.

Plans include a public information centre, chapel, religious training and counselling facilities, along with space for community and interfaith events.

Built in 1914, 780 Beatty has lived through several versions of the surrounding neighbourhood, which is now anchored by BC Place, Rogers Arena and a growing collection of residential, hotel and entertainment projects.

The Church says it intends to restore the building while preserving its architectural character as it prepares the property for its new use.