Positronic Pathways
A Fan’s Guide to I, Robot’s Vancouver Settings
Will Smith’s 2004 sci-fi action film I, Robot, transformed Vancouver into a futuristic Chicago of 2035, where robots serve humanity under the governance of the Three Laws of Robotics. While the film’s sleek, greenery-free aesthetic might be hard to recognize in Vancouver’s verdant landscape today, many filming locations remain unchanged and easily accessible to fans. This two-day itinerary allows you to explore these locations comfortably while enjoying the surrounding areas.
Practical Considerations
Transportation: Most Day One locations are walkable or accessible by public transit. The Canada Line and various bus routes serve the downtown core and Coal Harbour area. For Day Two, you’ll want to either rent a car or use a combination of SkyTrain (for New Westminster) and ride-sharing services. The Cassiar Tunnel portion is best experienced by car.
Photography: Morning light works best for Antique Alley photos, while Coal Harbour and the Shaw Tower area are most photogenic during late afternoon. The Ovaltine Cafe’s neon sign provides excellent photo opportunities if you return during evening hours.
Timing: Vancouver’s weather is most reliable from June through September. While the film depicts a futuristic city devoid of plant life, you’ll find Vancouver’s actual environment quite different, particularly during spring and summer months. If visiting during winter (November-March), be prepared for rain and plan indoor alternatives.
Day One: Downtown Vancouver and Coal Harbour
Morning: Start at the Ovaltine Cafe
Begin your first day at the historic Ovaltine Cafe, where Detective Spooner shares his suspicions about robots with Lt. Bergin. This authentic 1942 establishment opens early, making it perfect for breakfast. The cafe’s vintage interior and classic neon signage remain largely unchanged since filming. Take time to soak in the atmosphere that perfectly captured the film’s blend of retro and futuristic elements. The cafe tends to get busy around lunch, so an early start is recommended.
Late Morning: Downtown Walking Tour
After breakfast, take a leisurely walk through downtown Vancouver. Start at 235 Cambie Street, which served as the exterior for Spooner’s apartment building. While this is a private residence, the surrounding area offers interesting architectural contrasts between old and new Vancouver, much like the film’s aesthetic. The downtown core provides plenty of opportunities to explore the urban landscape that made Vancouver an ideal stand-in for futuristic Chicago.
Finish your morning at the Marine Building. While not a primary filming location, this Art Deco masterpiece exemplifies the architectural style influencing the film’s aesthetic. The building’s lobby is open to the public during business hours (typically until 6:00 PM) and features some of North America’s finest art deco detailing. The intricate marine-themed carvings and brass-doored elevators make it easy to imagine this as part of I, Robot’s retro-futuristic world.
LATE AFTERNOON: Library Square and Yaletown
From Coal Harbour, take a pleasant 15-minute walk south through downtown’s glittering canyons of glass and steel to reach the Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch at Library Square. Though not a film location, this architectural masterpiece feels like it was plucked straight from a science fiction film, with its curved colosseum-like walls and soaring glass-roofed concourse. Take the elevator to the rooftop garden (open until 6:00 PM) for a spectacular view of the city’s urban landscape. The juxtaposition of the library’s Roman-inspired design against the modern skyline creates exactly the kind of architectural contrast that I, Robot played with throughout the film.
Afternoon: Coal Harbour
Head to the West Cordova Viaduct area, particularly around 1077 West Cordova Street at Burrard Street in Coal Harbour. This location was featured in one of the film’s most intense sequences, where the NS5 robots impose a curfew on the city. The Shaw Tower, which features prominently in these scenes, provides a perfect backdrop for photos. Spend the afternoon exploring Coal Harbour’s seawall, which offers excellent views of the modern architecture that helped Vancouver double as future Chicago. Enjoy a nice waterfront lunch at Cardero’s, Lift Bar & Grill or Tap & Barrel. Or, for an ultra modern and luxurious experience, visit The Lobby Lounge & Rawbar, located in the Fairmont Pacific Rim, with live music, award-winning cuisine and maybe even celeb-watching.
Evening: Dinner at Glowbal
Glowbal is the perfect way to end your first day of exploring Vancouver’s architectural wonders. Request a table near the windows or the covered patio to fully appreciate the TELUS Garden’s architectural drama above you. The outdoor patio’s distinctive overhead heaters and light installations create an almost otherworldly ambiance as day transitions to night. The restaurant’s upscale menu matches its sophisticated setting – try the Robata-grilled meats or fresh seafood while watching the city lights begin to twinkle through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
PRO TIP:
If you’re visiting between Thursday and Saturday, try to snag a 7:00 PM reservation at Glowbal to catch the daily light show at TELUS Garden, when the building’s LED installation creates a mesmerizing display above the restaurant.
CELEB SPOTTING:
While exploring I, Robot’s filming locations, you might want to keep your eyes peeled for Hollywood stars, as Vancouver’s nickname “Hollywood North” isn’t just for show! The city frequently hosts A-list celebrities filming various projects, and several spots along our route are known celebrity haunts.
The spots mentioned along Coal Harbour and the Fairmont Pacific Rim are common hotspots, while Blue Water Cafe in Gastown and Small Victory and Cioppino’s in Yaletown (really, anywhere in Yaletown) are also possibilities.
Yaletown’S Finest
Explore Yaletown, a once-industrial district transformed into a sleek, modern neighborhood. With converted warehouses, boutique shops, cafes and waterfront views, it mirrors I, Robot’s vision of urban evolution where past meets future in architecture, dining, and design.
Day Two: New Westminster and Richmond
MID-DAY: New Westminster
Arrive at the historic Front Street (600 block), known as “Antique Alley,” where Spooner’s robot ‘thief’ chase scene was filmed. Park in one of several parkades near Columbia Street (the main shopping street parallel to Front Street). Spend time exploring the numerous antique shops that line this historic street, many of which have been operating for decades.
While in New Westminster, expand your exploration to include the surrounding area. Stroll along the Westminster Quay boardwalk, which offers excellent views of the Fraser River and working tugboats. Visit the River Market, a revitalized public market steps away from Front Street, perfect for lunch with multiple local food vendors. The adjacent Westminster Pier Park provides beautiful riverside walking paths and sitting areas.
For architecture enthusiasts, walk up to Columbia Street, known historically as the “Golden Mile. ” This street features many heritage buildings from the same era as those seen in I, Robot’s blend of old and new aesthetics. The nearby Irving House Historical Centre, while not featured in the film, offers a glimpse into the Victorian era that influenced some of the film’s architectural contrasts.
Morning: Cassiar Tunnel to New Westminster
Begin your second day by departing downtown Vancouver. From the downtown core, take Highway 1 East toward the Cassiar Tunnel. This 730-metre-long traffic tunnel, featured in Spooner’s motorcycle scene, serves as your gateway to the day’s adventures. From downtown, take Georgia Street east, which becomes Highway 1. Follow signs for Highway 1 East/Trans-Canada Highway, and you’ll reach the Cassiar Tunnel within about 15 minutes of leaving downtown (traffic permitting). After passing through the tunnel, take Highway 1 East to the Brunette Avenue exit for New Westminster.
Afternoon: Richmond Aerospace and Aviation
From New Westminster, take Highway 91A to Highway 91 (about a 30-minute drive) to reach Richmond. Your first stop is the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s Aerospace Technology Campus, which served as the exterior of US Robotics. While the campus itself is an educational facility, its futuristic architecture is worth viewing from publicly accessible areas.
After viewing the Aerospace Campus, head to Larry Berg Flight Path Park, located at the end of Russ Baker Way. This unique park sits directly under the flight path of Vancouver International Airport’s south runway, offering spectacular views of aircraft landing just hundreds of feet overhead. The park features airplane-themed play equipment and interpretive displays about aviation.
NOTES:
The menu features pub classics with a West Coast twist, and the atmosphere perfectly captures the region’s aviation heritage. Time your visit for sunset to watch planes landing against the backdrop of the Coast Mountains.
Evening: Dinner with a View
Cap off your day at the Flying Beaver Bar & Grill, located at 4760 Inglis Drive. This popular spot offers front-row seats to Vancouver’s float plane activity on the Middle Arm of the Fraser River. The restaurant’s deck provides views of float planes taking off and landing, plus glimpses of jets approaching YVR.
Ready to start your adventure?