A Warm Welcome

A partnership that strengthens the Museum’s long-term viability and brings a restored 1943 naval barge back to life as a design-forward public wellness space.

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An Impactful Partnerhship

What is being proposed?

This is a City-initiated application (at the request of the Vancouver Maritime Museum) to rezone the subject site from R1-1 (Residential) District to CD-1 (Comprehensive Development) District. This rezoning is to maintain museum and park use, and to add a wellness centre use, and to support the VMM’s long-term viability.

The wellness use would take the form of a floating hydrotherapy vessel, moored within the existing Heritage Harbour Marina.

This restored historic vessel is 150 feet long. It reaches a maximum height of approximately 34 feet (above the water line) at its highest point, with a main upper deck height of 24 feet.

This remains a vessel within an existing marina setting, rather than a new land-based building.

Why is the museum pursuing this?

Like many cultural institutions, the Vancouver Maritime Museum faces rising operating costs while public funding for ongoing operations has not kept pace and is increasingly competitive. [DJ1.1][HM1.2] Developing stable, earned revenue is critical to maintaining exhibits, public and school programs, supporting staff, and preserving the harbour.

Over many years, the museum has pursued grants, fundraising, and other revenue strategies, but these sources are inconsistent and insufficient to support long-term operations.

The Vancouver Maritime Museum’s Executive Director has not seen an opportunity of this scale and stability to support the museum’s future in his two decades of experience as a non-profit leader.

This partnership offers a reliable source of funding to achieve the three main pillars of the organization: maintain and grow exhibits and programs for the public and schools, support staff recruitment, retention, and development and preserve the harbour. This is an opportunity to secure long-term sustainability.

Is this “privatizing” public space?

No. The marina is already a working harbour with managed moorage, and this proposal fits within that existing use. Public access to paths, docks and the shoreline will remain unchanged, and no parkland is being removed or restricted. This proposal will add a compatible use within the marina, while keeping the surrounding parks open and accessible to all.

How does this fit with the museum’s strategic plan & vision for the future?

The VMM's mandate is to create relevant exhibits and programs, and this rezoning process will support that vitality. In addition, it will draw new people to the Museum site who may not have visited before. While supporting the Museum’s long term viability, this proposal offers a unique opportunity to bring new life to a historic repurposed WWII vessel, and strengthen the Museum’s connection to the water.

What other benefits might be considered as part of this?

In addition to securing the future of this beloved, long-time community amenity:

Marina Upgrades: If approved, the marina’s power, sewer, and water systems will be upgraded as part of this proposal.

Wellness and recreation: Hydrotherapy is growing locally and internationally. HAVN contributes to Vancouver’s wellness and recreation offerings, helping activate the waterfront and support a broader mix of cultural and recreational experiences.

Existing Infrastructure: This location has existing moorage infrastructure, existing parking, access, and transportation opportunities.

Supporting Tourism: Tourism is one of Vancouver’s largest and most essential industries. Encouraging visitors and residents to this area, which holds many cultural and civic assets, supports our local economy.

Are there environmental impacts of this applicaton?

Regulations do not allow effluent discharge into the ocean. The facility will connect to City sewer and water infrastructure and be managed under those systems. As with any in-water project, this proposal will require a robust environmental assessment led by qualified engineers.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), along with City environmental departments, oversees environmental impacts.

Will there be any impacts to public access, navigability, or current use?

No. Existing moorage, public access (including docks, shoreline, pathways) will remain open. Maintaining navigability of the harbour is a requirement.

Will it be noisy or otherwise disruptive?

No. the experience is intentionally designed to be quiet and low impact. HAVN operates as a phone free, alcohol free, self-guided and calm environment.

Does this set a precedent for more development here?

No. Any future proposals would require an independent application, review, and approval.

How will you manage parking/ traffic?

The Vancouver Maritime Museum and the City of Vancouver anticipate existing parking will be sufficient for additional visitors. There is an oversupply of available parking within the Maritime Museum lot.[

Are there environmental impacts of this applicaton?

History of the Barge

Transformed from a vessel of urgency into a retreat of stillness. A living piece of history, reimagined.

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HAVN's Track Record

Thoughtful Words

This project will provide much-needed revenue; provide shelter for existing docks and heritage boats; and invite people to the museum site in a whole new way. Public funding is essential to our survival, but government has not increased operating grants for arts and culture in decades. In this economic climate, our partnership with HAVN will help make up this shortfall in operating revenue

- Vancouver Maritime Museum, Executive Director - David Jordan

From our founder

HAVN has been searching for the right Vancouver location for nearly two years, and we could not be more thrilled. Vancouver Maritime Museum’s harbour offers an iconic, meaningful setting; this partnership allows us to bring a uniquely captivating marine experience to the city.

- HAVN Saunas, CEO and Founder - Nicholas Van Buren

About Havn

HAVN is a floating sauna and hydrotherapy experience built on a restored 1943 naval vessel, designed to create a space for reflection and relaxation within an urban setting while being surrounded by natural elements. Guests move through a self-guided three-hour cycle of saunas, cold plunges, and quiet rest areas, all within a calm, social, alcohol- and phone-free environment. Blending maritime heritage with modern wellness, HAVN offers a low-impact way for people to unwind and reconnect with the water.

A Warm Welcome

A partnership that strengthens the Museum’s long-term viability and brings a restored 1943 naval barge back to life as a design-forward public wellness space.

Learn More

FAQ

Is this approved?

We are working closely with City of Vancouver staff and elected officials to navigate the approvals process. As this is an unusual project, it doesn’t fit within the normal bounds of City permitting.

Why is HAVN a good fit?

HAVN’s vessel is a repurposed 1943 WWII naval barge, aligning directly with the Museum’s maritime mandate. The partnership also supports the Museum’s financial viability through new moorage revenue.

Why bring a floating sauna to Vancouver?

Hydrotherapy is growing locally and internationally. HAVN enhances Vancouver’s wellness and tourism offerings, helping activate the waterfront and making Vancouver more vibrant and healthy. Council recently modernized wellness regulations to support this sector.

Why would a cultural museum partner with HAVN?

HAVN reflects maritime history in a contemporary way — a reclaimed naval vessel restored for community use. The partnership provides financial resilience at a time when the Maritime Museum is facing the need for external revenue sources beyond Government Funding. HAVN will bring visitors to the museum site in a whole new way, encouraging their appreciation of heritage vessels in the Harbour and highlighting the museum as a hidden gem in Kitsilano.

Why is Heritage Harbour the right location?

Heritage Harbour has:

Existing moorage infrastructure
Existing public access + parking
Proximity to MOV, Space Centre, ferry service, transit
A history of hosting culturally aligned vessels
Alignment with the City’s goal to activate the waterfront with low-impact uses

HAVN enhances the Harbour without displacing the Museum’s purpose.

Who is HAVN?

HAVN is a small Canadian company based in Victoria. They exist to creatively design and build healthy third spaces that help people be more present and connected. Their Victoria location opened in 2023 and has been widely embraced by the community.

Does HAVN recieve public funding?

No — HAVN is completely privately funded.

What is being announced?

The Vancouver Maritime Museum & HAVN are partnering to bring HAVN’s floating hydrotherapy vessel to Heritage Harbour.

What is a HAVN experience like?

HAVN offers a free-flow, leisure circuit. Enjoy your own personal wellness journey at your own pace. While HAVN provides a recommended hydrotherapy circuit path, everyone is different, and we want you to do what feels best for you. Enjoy every step of the experience, relax, and listen to your body. A suggested hydrotherapy circuit path is 5–15 minutes of hot, 1–5 minutes of cold, and 10–15 minutes relaxing at a neutral temperature. The experience is quiet, social, and booked in scheduled sessions — no phones, no alcohol, no amplified sound.

Is this Vancouver's first floating hydrotherapy vessel?

Yes — and it is one of Vancouver’s first new cultural/wellness attractions in many years.

Will this impact the Museums programming?

It will not change operations, exhibitions, or public programming.It strengthens the Museum’s future through new revenue and increased vibrancy.

Will HAVN displace heritage boats?

No. The siting protects the Harbour’s character and purpose.

Will public access change?

No. Access to docks, shoreline, and pathways remains fully open.

How will local residents be affected?

HAVN is low-noise, low-traffic, and low-impact. Sessions are scheduled and controlled.

Will it disturb marine life?

No significant impact is expected. The experience is quiet and non-disruptive. HAVN will secure permitting from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to ensure environmental safety.

Does this help Vancouver's economy?

The Maritime Museum is adding a new waterfront experience that strengthens nearby cultural institutions, and contributes to the Museum District’s cultural and visitor economy.

When will HAVN open?

We are targeting mid-November 2027.

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Tue-Thurs 9am-Close

920 Wharf St.
Victoria, BC Canada

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