Natural stone from the Indiana Limestone Company graces The Vermeer, a landmark recent construction in Vancouver, British Columbia. This high-end multi-use building embodies many elements incorporating classical architecture – a beautiful, traditional presence in a neighborhood dominated by contemporary glass buildings.

The 21,000-square-foot structure includes residential and retail spaces. The stone façade is assembled of Indiana Limestone’s prized Standard Buff product, 2″ thick on the south elevation and 1.5″ thick on the north elevation.

Natural Indiana limestone totaling more than 136 tons was required for the project, in both exterior and interior applications.

Red Leaf Stone of Vancouver supplied the stone. Architectural Stonemasonry, another division of Red Leaf’s parent company, Red Leaf Architectural Products, Inc., fully detailed and fabricated the entire exterior and handcrafted unique elements including family crests and medallions prominently displayed at the face of the building. Sun Valley Masonry of Abbotsford, B.C. performed the stone installation.

Project architect Jim Bussey of Formwerks Architectural, Vancouver, said several attributes of the stone contributed to its selection for The Vermeer. “Primarily we chose Indiana limestone because of its color,” Bussey said, “but also for its proximity to French limestone and its durability in our climate.”

“It’s quite a good material for carving,” he said. “Certainly the stonemason liked it because he could use proper carving techniques on it without problems with fracturing.”

“I don’t think there’s really an alternative to natural stone to produce the authentic effect that was sought for this building,” said Duffe Elkins, chief operating officer at the Indiana Limestone Company. “A high-end project like this won’t be the same if some kind of faux stone is specified.”