A pixelated orca breaches from Jack Poole Plaza in three-dimensional blocky form, its black-and-white cubes catching light off Vancouver’s harbour. The Digital Orca sculpture turns an icon of Canada‘s West Coast — the killer whale — into something that belongs equally to video games and digital culture.
Quick overview
Digital Orca is free to view 24 hours a day, year-round. The sculpture sits on public land at Jack Poole Plaza, adjacent to the Vancouver Convention Centre West building. No tickets or bookings are required to see this fabulous piece of public art — simply walk up and photograph it from any angle.
Parking is available in two underground parkades beneath the Convention Centre, costing CA$2.25 per half hour up to a daily maximum of CA$13. The nearest SkyTrain station (Waterfront) is a five-minute walk away.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 24/7 year-round | Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver V6C 0C3 | Everyone | No restriction |
How much does Digital Orca cost?
Digital Orca is free to view. There are no admission charges, tickets, or access restrictions.
The sculpture sits on a public plaza owned by the Vancouver Convention Centre but open to all visitors. You can photograph it, walk around it, and spend as much or as little time as you like without paying anything.
Parking fees
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Convention Centre West parkade | CA$2.25 per 30 minutes | All vehicles |
| Daily maximum (West building) | CA$13.00 | All vehicles |
| Convention Centre East parkade | CA$2.25 per 30 minutes | All vehicles |
| Daily maximum (East building) | CA$13.00 | All vehicles |
| Event pricing (conventions active) | CA$18–$25 | Varies by event schedule |
The West building parkade (1055 Canada Place) is managed by Impark and has 440 spaces. The East building parkade (999 Canada Place) is managed by Vinci Park with 750 spaces. Payment options include scan-to-pay via QR codes throughout the garage, the HangTag app, or traditional parking metres accepting major credit cards.
What time does Digital Orca open?
Digital Orca is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year. Jack Poole Plaza is public space with no gates or restricted hours.
However, the sculpture is outdoors and fully exposed to the Vancouver weather. Vancouver’s winters bring heavy rain (November to March) and occasional snow. Visiting during daylight offers better photography opportunities and safer conditions — sunrise ranges from around 4:30am in summer to 8am in winter, whilst sunset varies from 9:30pm in June to 4:30pm in December.
The Olympic Cauldron on the same plaza is lit only on special occasions, typically during major sporting events or national celebrations. It doesn’t burn continuously.
Parking advice
Two underground parkades serve the Vancouver Convention Centre. The West building garage (1055 Canada Place) is directly beneath Digital Orca’s and is the most convenient option. The East building garage (999 Canada Place) requires a slightly longer walk.
Both parkades charge CA$2.25 per half hour, capped at CA$13 daily — except during major conventions when event pricing (CA$18–$25) applies. Check the Convention Centre’s event schedule if you’re visiting on a weekday, as cruise ship arrivals and large conferences can fill spaces quickly.
Payment is increasingly cashless. Most visitors use the scan-to-pay system (QR codes are posted throughout the garage) or download the HangTag app before arrival. Traditional meters accept credit cards but are less common.
Street parking near Canada Place is expensive and limited. Metres around Burrard and Cordova streets cost CA$6–$7 per hour. Walking two blocks west or east can halve that rate — parking on Powell and Cordova streets costs approximately CA$1 per hour, though spaces fill quickly.
History
Douglas Coupland created Digital Orca in 2009 for the opening of the Vancouver Convention Centre’s West building. The Vancouver-based artist — best known for his 1991 novel Generation X — had spent years exploring both literary and visual art.
The sculpture addresses what Coupland calls “the massive changes currently reshaping the economy of the Province.” British Columbia’s shift from resource-based industries (logging, fishing, mining) toward technology and digital services inspired the work’s pixelated form.
By rendering an orca whale in three-dimensional pixels — the blocky, low-resolution aesthetic of early computer graphics — Coupland turned a West Coast cliché on its head. Orcas feature on countless tourist souvenirs, Indigenous art, and regional branding. The sculpture forces viewers to see this familiar symbol differently.
The sculpture’s materials reflect Vancouver’s harbour culture. Each pixel is constructed from powder-coated aluminium on a steel frame. The colours — black, white, and shades of grey — evoke the working waterfront: container ships, fishing vessels, and the diverse workers who built the city’s port economy.
Jack Poole Plaza, where the sculpture stands, is named after the businessman who led Vancouver’s successful bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The plaza also hosts the Olympic Cauldron, which burned throughout the Games.
What to see at Digital Orca
The sculpture itself measures 7.6 metres tall and weighs several tonnes. Walk around it from all angles — the pixelated effect works differently depending on your position. From certain viewpoints, the blocky form resolves into a recognisable orca mid-breach. From others, it fractures into abstract geometry.
Jack Poole Plaza surrounds the sculpture with open paving, wooden benches, and panoramic harbour views. The North Shore Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for photographs. On clear days, you’ll see Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour, and the Lions peaks.
The Olympic Cauldron stands at the plaza’s western edge. This towering structure burned continuously during the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Today it’s lit only for special occasions — Canada Day, Remembrance Day, or when Canadian athletes win Olympic medals. Don’t expect to see it burning during a casual visit.
Harbour views extend across Burrard Inlet to North Vancouver. Seaplanes take off and land continuously during daylight hours. Container ships, cruise vessels, and recreational boats navigate the waters. In summer, you might spot kayakers paddling the Coal Harbour waterfront.
The Convention Centre’s green roof rises behind the sculpture, covering 2.4 hectares and planted with 400,000 native grasses and plants. Four beehives sit up there, though they’re not visible from ground level. The roof is the largest non-industrial green roof in Canada.
What’s included with your visit?
- Free access to Digital Orca sculpture
- Jack Poole Plaza with seating and harbour views
- Olympic Cauldron (lit on special occasions only)
- Waterfront promenade extending east toward Canada Place
- Public toilets inside the Convention Centre (accessible during building hours)
- Free Wi-Fi on the plaza
Not included: parking (CA$2.25 per 30 minutes), food and drink (available at LOT185 Café + Wine Bar inside the Convention Centre or nearby restaurants).
Things to do near Digital Orca
FlyOver Canada (200m, 3-minute walk) — An immersive flying theatre where you sit suspended before a 20-metre spherical screen whilst “soaring” over Canadian landscapes. Wind, mist, and scents enhance the 8-minute flight simulation. The 25-minute total experience includes a pre-show. Open daily except Christmas.
Canada Place (150m, 2-minute walk) — Vancouver’s iconic white-sailed building serves as the cruise ship terminal, convention centre, and hotel. Walk the public promenade for harbour views and interpretive panels about Canadian history. The Canadian Trail features displays about all provinces and territories. Completely free to explore. Home to the Port of Vancouver Discovery Centre.
Gastown Steam Clock (800m, 10-minute walk) — One of only six functioning steam clocks worldwide, built in 1977 by horologist Raymond Saunders. Positioned at Water and Cambie streets, the clock whistles and releases steam every 15 minutes, with a longer display on the hour. Free to view. The surrounding Gastown neighbourhood offers cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture, and independent shops.
Vancouver Lookout (700m, 9-minute walk) — A 169-metre observation tower with 360-degree views across Vancouver, the harbour, and surrounding mountains. The glass elevator ascends in 40 seconds. Tickets include same-day re-entry for sunset views. Located at 555 West Hastings Street.
Waterfront Station (400m, 5-minute walk) — Vancouver’s heritage railway station, completed in 1914 for Canadian Pacific Railway. The building now serves as the SkyTrain and SeaBus hub. The interior’s vaulted ceilings and period details are worth seeing. Free to enter. From here, catch the SeaBus to North Vancouver (12-minute crossing with spectacular city views).
Practical tips
Location and access: Digital Orca’s home is Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Place, on Vancouver’s downtown waterfront. It’s directly adjacent to the Vancouver Convention Centre West building, about 300 metres west of Canada Place cruise terminal. The nearest cross street is Burrard Street.
Getting there: Waterfront Station (SkyTrain and SeaBus terminus) is a five-minute walk away. Exit the station, head north toward the waterfront, and follow signs for Canada Place. Numerous bus routes serve the area. Walking from downtown hotels typically takes 10–15 minutes. The seawall path from Coal Harbour or Stanley Park brings cyclists and pedestrians directly past the plaza.
Time needed: Most visitors spend 10–20 minutes photographing Digital Orca and exploring Jack Poole Plaza. If you’re combining the visit with Canada Place, the Olympic Cauldron, and harbour views, allow 45 minutes to an hour. The plaza makes an excellent starting or ending point for waterfront walks.
What to wear: Vancouver’s weather is unpredictable year-round. Rain is common from October through May — bring waterproof layers. Summer (June–August) can be warm and sunny, but mornings often start foggy or misty. The plaza is exposed to wind off the harbour. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring the surrounding waterfront.
Photography: The sculpture photographs well from all angles. For the classic shot showing the orca with harbour and mountains behind, shoot from the south side (Convention Centre side) looking north. Overcast conditions often work better than harsh midday sun, which creates strong shadows on the pixelated surface. Early morning or late afternoon light is flattering. Sunset shots with city lights work well in winter.
Crowds: The plaza rarely feels crowded except during cruise ship embarkation days (typically May–September, usually mornings). Tour buses stop here throughout the day in summer, bringing groups for 10-minute photo opportunities. Early morning (before 9am) or evening visits offer quieter conditions. Winter sees far fewer tourists.
Accessibility: Jack Poole Plaza is completely flat and paved, making it fully wheelchair accessible. The sculpture sits in the open with unobstructed approach from all sides. Public toilets inside the Convention Centre include accessible facilities. The waterfront promenade extending from the plaza is similarly accessible, though some slopes exist.
Safety: The plaza is well-lit at night and generally safe, but like any major city waterfront, stay aware of your surroundings after dark. The Downtown Eastside neighbourhood begins about three blocks east — whilst Gastown (the tourist area) is fine, venturing further into certain streets can be uncomfortable, particularly around Main and Hastings.
Combining visits: Digital Orca fits easily into waterfront walking routes. From here, walk east to Canada Place and Gastown (15 minutes), or west along the seawall toward Coal Harbour Marina and Stanley Park (20 minutes to the park entrance). The area has excellent concentration of attractions within walking distance.
FAQs
Can you climb on Digital Orca? No, climbing on the sculpture is prohibited and damages the artwork. The powder-coated aluminium surface can be scratched or dented. Security from the Convention Centre monitors the plaza, and signs request visitors to respect the sculpture by not climbing on it or touching it excessively.
What does the Digital Orca sculpture mean? Artist Douglas Coupland intended the work to address British Columbia’s economic shift from traditional resource industries to technology and digital services. By pixelating the orca — a West Coast icon — in three dimensions, he challenges viewers to see familiar symbols in new ways whilst commenting on how technology transforms our relationship with nature.
Is Jack Poole Plaza open during conventions? Yes, the plaza remains publicly accessible even when private events or conventions are running inside the Vancouver Convention Centre. You can always view Digital Orca and walk the plaza. The only exception would be major security events, which are extremely rare.
When is the Olympic Cauldron lit? The cauldron burns only on special occasions: Canada Day (July 1), Remembrance Day (November 11), Olympic and Paralympic Games periods when Canadian athletes win medals, and occasionally during major national celebrations. It doesn’t burn for casual visitors. The plaza itself is worth visiting regardless.
What other Douglas Coupland artworks are in Vancouver? Coupland has several other public installations in Vancouver. The Terry Fox Memorial at BC Place features four large photographs. “Monument to the War of 1812” on Granville Island is a giant Canadian flag rendered in canoe paddles. His work appears in galleries including the Vancouver Art Gallery, though these require paid admission.
