Set along Vancouver’s waterfront next to Canada Place, global legal services firm DWF’s local office makes the most of its location—using views of Coal Harbour and downtown as a defining feature of the space.
View this post on Instagram
The firm occupies two floors totalling 24,000 square feet and is home to 183 employees. Originally designed by Gensler in 2015, the office reflects an industrial, design-forward aesthetic: concrete floors, exposed wood ceilings and retro-style furnishings are paired with eclectic artwork throughout. The layout is intentionally open, with sightlines that keep natural light and water views visible from nearly every corner.
At the centre of the office is a large bistro that functions as both lunchroom and event hub. It’s used for daily breaks, client functions and internal gatherings, including the firm’s regular Thursday socials. Operable doors connect the space to a larger adjoining area, allowing it to expand for bigger events.
Elsewhere, the office is organized around a mix of shared and bookable spaces designed to support hybrid work. Smaller meeting areas and lounge-style seating offer alternatives to traditional boardrooms, particularly for quick conversations. “It’s a more comfortable, inviting atmosphere than a typical boardroom,” says marketing manager Elsa Carraro.
A standout feature is the in-house library, paired with nearby private pods where employees can grab a book and settle in for focused work. A level down, additional bookable workspaces and quiet areas offer further flexibility for employees coming in from remote schedules.
The Vancouver office is part of DWF’s broader global network. The company operates across Canada, with offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Calgary, alongside a wider international footprint spanning Europe and beyond. The firm expanded its presence locally through its acquisition of Vancouver-based Whitelaw Twining in December 2022, with the full rebrand to DWF completed in November 2025. While the name has changed, the team has operated out of this waterfront building since 1992.
