HAVN floating spa proposed for Plaza of Nations dock in False Creek | Daily Hive

Location of the dock of the Plaza of Nations in False Creek. (Google Maps)

The proposed location for HAVN’s floating spa in downtown Vancouver is the dock of the Plaza of Nations in False Creek.

This would be HAVN’s second location, following their 2023-opened location berthed to a dock in Victoria Inner Harbour.

Last month, Nicholas Joel Van Buren, HAVN co-founder and lead designer, told Daily Hive Urbanized that his company is planning a Vancouver location, repurposing a 1943-built barge that is identical to their original Victoria location.

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This second barge had originally been pegged for conversion into a float camp for loggers in a remote coastal area of British Columbia, but the project lost momentum and was left incomplete. The barge was subsequently listed for sale.

Existing condition of the second barge. (HAVN)

Both barges owned by HAVN were built for the Second World War by Tacoma Shipyard as part of their fleet of nine rapid-response workshop barges.

And now, a newly submitted development permit application shows the proposed location for HAVN’s second floating spa is the Plaza of Nations dock. This same dock is also currently used as a stop for both the Aquabus and False Creek Ferries services.

According to the application, this barge measures 150 ft. in length and 34 ft. in width.

Location of the dock of the Plaza of Nations in False Creek. (Google Maps)

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Dock at the Plaza of Nations in False Creek. (Jennifer Jessica Peck/Shutterstock)

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Proposed HAVN floating spa location at the dock of the Plaza of Nations in False Creek. (HAVN)

HAVN notes that the Vancouver floating spa would carry the same sustainable design concepts of using salvaged ocean logs for the saunas and finishes without the need to cut down any trees. For example, the Victoria barge used about 33,000 board ft. of salvaged wood, and it is 100% electric-powered.

The Victoria floating spa spans over 5,000 sq. ft. of floor area across two levels, including outdoor rooftop spaces. It features three saunas, two cold pools, two hot tubs, two outdoor showers, a relaxation cabin, an exfoliation shower, a garden patio, and universal change rooms.

HAVN has indicated that to date, its Victoria location has welcomed over 47,000 guests, with a year-one booking rate exceeding 95%. They also have a 4.7-star rating on Google Reviews, based on over 270 reviews to date.

Floating spa in Victoria Inner Harbour. (HAVN)

“We focus on providing a calm, relaxing space for reflection and social interaction. We offer quiet zones and maintain a noise-free environment. We create a peaceful, undisturbed setting for all guests with a cell phone-free policy and alcohol-free atmosphere,” reads HAVN’s application for the Vancouver location.

The capacity of the Vancouver floating spa will be about 200 to 300 guests per day, with no more than 60 guests onboard at any given time. It will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

There will not be any amplified music, and the lounge will have a non-cooking kitchen offering light snacks and drinks.

HAVN’s commitment to this specific location on a semi-permanent basis may also hint at an extended timeline for the future Plaza of Nations redevelopment.

Longtime property owner Canadian Metropolitan Properties was recently sold to Northchild, which now intends to propose a substantially larger redevelopment of the Plaza of Nations with new mixed uses — made possible by Vancouver City Council’s decision in July 2024 to amend the protected mountain view cones enabling additional building height. Sites in Northeast False Creek benefit from the recent view cone relaxations.

Floating spa in Victoria Inner Harbour. (HAVN)

With files from Daily Hive’s Daniel Chai

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