A World War II-era barge may soon become Vancouver’s latest luxury floating spa as early as next year.
HAVN Saunas, a wellness destination in Victoria’s inner harbour, recently revealed on Instagram that it had uncovered a second boat that it plans to use for an expansion to BC’s mainland.
The vessel dates back to the 1940s and even has “Vancouver” etched onto its stern.
“The barge is located in the Broughton Archipelago,” said Nicholas Joel Van Buren, HAVN co-founder and lead designer, to Daily Hive. “A shipyard manager informed us that it was originally intended to be converted into a float camp for loggers, but the project lost momentum and was left incomplete. It then went up for sale.
“We made a trip to view it and immediately recognized that opportunities like this are rare, as the barge dates back to 1943 and is identical to the one in Victoria.”
HAVN’s first location in Victoria opened in 2023 and offers a combination of hot and cold pools and a variety of saunas. The year-round Nordic spa experience includes socializing saunas, mineral saunas, and quiet saunas for guests to enjoy.
HAVN Saunas
According to Van Buren, the discovery of HAVN’s sister barge near Port Harvey felt like an omen.
“There was excitement and laughter, with everyone saying, ‘We have to do this!’ and ‘We just have to do it,’” he shared.
“While the team felt a bit nervous about the amount of work ahead, we were inspired and motivated by the creative potential of the project. Once we committed, the entire process became energizing and fulfilling.”
Fans of HAVN shared their excitement for the project on Instagram, exclaiming they were waiting for an announcement of a Vancouver location.
HAVN Saunas
“Congrats, guys! Welcome to Vancouver, we’ll be so happy to see you here,” posted a supporter.
The team is still early in the design phase for HAVN’s Vancouver location but hopes to start construction sometime this summer. A location and approval from Vancouver city council has yet to be announced
“It’s still in the same condition now — old, rusty, and half-converted into a float camp,” explained Van Buren. “Birds are flying around inside, and some of the lower levels have ankle-deep water.
“We plan to transform it into a fully customized, one-of-a-kind space. Drawing from everything we’ve learned in Victoria, we’re confident it will be amazing — perhaps even better than the Victoria location. Our goal is to open in late 2026, but right now, we’re just at the start of the journey.”
HAVN Saunas
Vancouver city councillor Lisa Dominato introduced a motion this past June to enable outdoor cold plunges and saunas by relaxing the city’s licensing and zoning policies and bylaws.
“There is a growing interest and demand for outdoor cold plunges and saunas among the residents of Vancouver,” read the motion, which passed unanimously.
The motion also directed city staff to prepare bylaw amendments for consideration “to allow for the operation of outdoor cold plunges and saunas in appropriate locations” and report back to the council by Q1 of 2025.
HAVN Saunas
A floating Nordic spa could take some time to approve and set up, but if the city council gives the go-ahead to HAVN, locals will have lots to get excited about.
“We believe the cities we live in shape our lives and the way we connect with each other,” Van Buren said. “HAVN aims to create a space that fosters connection, inspiration, and well-being. Our success will be measured by how well we bring fresh creativity, thoughtful design, and beauty to Vancouver, helping people experience their city in a new and healthier way.”