Our Story
Where Innovation Meets Hospitality
Back in 2016, our founder Maria Quinthorix was doodling on a napkin at a cafe on Granville Street. She'd just returned from touring the world's most innovative hotels and felt Vancouver needed something that'd shake things up. Not another cookie-cutter luxury spot, but a place where art, architecture, and honest-to-goodness hospitality collide.
That napkin sketch became what you see today - a building that doesn't apologize for being different.
We worked with Vancouver-based architect James Lim who's known for not playing it safe. Every angle, every surface, every unexpected corner tells part of our story. The cascading glass facade catches the morning light in ways that change throughout the day - it's like the building breathes with the city.
People either love it or they're puzzled by it at first. Then they step inside and get it. It's bold, yeah, but it's also warm. That's the whole point.
We don't do design for design's sake. Every piece of furniture, every light fixture, every art installation was chosen because it either makes your stay better or it doesn't belong here. Simple as that.
Tech is great and we've got plenty of it, but our team's what makes this place tick. They're locals who know Vancouver inside-out and actually care about making your visit memorable.
We've got a geothermal heating system, solar panels you can't see from the street, and we source about 80% of our restaurant ingredients from BC farms. It's not marketing fluff - it's just how we operate.
Vancouver gave us a home, so we give back. We partner with local artists for rotating gallery installations, host neighborhood events, and support small businesses whenever we can.
We've noticed a pattern - our guests tend to be folks who appreciate things that are a bit different. Creative professionals, entrepreneurs, travelers who've seen enough standard luxury hotels to last a lifetime. People who want comfort but also something they haven't experienced before.
You'll find business travelers who need solid conference facilities but also want to unwind in a space that doesn't feel corporate. Couples celebrating anniversaries who want romance without the cliches. Families who know their kids will remember staying somewhere actually interesting.
We've got about 120 people keeping this place running, and honestly, they're the reason guests keep coming back. From Raj at the front desk who somehow remembers everyone's coffee order, to Chef Elena who changes the menu based on what looked good at the market that morning.
Most of our staff have been with us since we opened. That says something, we think.
We're not interested in becoming a chain or copying what we've built here in other cities. Ignovar Quinthorix works because it's deeply connected to Vancouver - to its creative energy, its natural beauty, its willingness to try new things.
What we are doing is constantly evolving this space. Next year we're adding an artist residency program. We're expanding the rooftop garden. We're always asking ourselves how we can get better at what we do.
