Volume 12 Number 9 September 2003 HERITAGE

Vancouver N e w s l e t t e r

UpCountry: A powerfully imposing building attracted a warm retail outlet.

The : This steel-structured boomtown wonder is a prime HPI candidate.

The Hastings corridor: The shabby grandeur may benefit from policies Opsal Steel: An innovative but sympathetic plan developed for other awaits this hulking industrial monument. heritage areas. Now for some good news Four examples show how hard work, determination and ingenuity bring lasting rewards

Hope for Hastings via and Chinatown in the current economic climate. They’re left to rot due to inertia — or in some cases, heritage protection that has ancouver was born in Gastown and a century done nothing to enhance the building’s financial viability. ago the city’s commercial and institutional life Both Gastown and Chinatown were designated as heritage centred on the corner of Main and Hastings. But areas in 1971, and a local area plan has been developed for many years economic decline plagued the for the Victory Square area. Until recently, however, there Vdistrict. Although it retains a rich stock of historic build- were no significant financial incentives for heritage ings, many are deteriorating and are at risk, as indicated preservation. This is now changing. by last July’s catastrophic fire in the 300 block of West The City of is finally undertaking significant Pender Street. Without seismic protection and life safety and bold new initiatives to turn this situation around. One upgrades (including sprinklers), these early buildings could such initiative is the Gastown Heritage Management Plan, be lost at any time. Many of these structures are abandoned completed in 2001 for the City of Vancouver by the and in some cases open to the elements. Even in our heri- tage areas, many buildings are not considered worth fixing see page two Hope

All photos by Greg Klein except Opsal Steel by Brock Piper from cover Hope The HPI will document heri- on this street. Indeed the UpCountry tage structures through a newly store is one of the most impressive Spaxman Consulting Group, created Canadian Register of examples of adaptive reuse in the with Robert G. Lemon Historic Places. The provinces and Kitsilano area. Architecture & Preservation territories will manage the HPI Although credit might seem due to and Donald Luxton & within their own jurisdictions. UpCountry for endowing the former Associates. This plan outlines In B.C., the Heritage Branch of CIBC building with new purpose, it a new vision for Gastown (and the Department of Community, was actually the vision of developer by extension Chinatown), Aboriginal and Women’s Services Brian Bell. Three years ago he introducing significant incen- got $920,000 in federal learned the building was on tives for heritage conservation. : funds to launch the pro- the market and immediately An example to These include facade restoration Hastings Street. gram and get municipalities took action. “I have always grants, tax incentives and den- onside. Municipalities that been drawn to old-style archi- sity bonuses that will be used already have heritage reg- tecture,” Bell says. He chose to cover the shortfall costs of isters will participate first. the site because of its curb upgrading buildings. This is an enor- They’ve already received HPI appeal and location. “You mous step in the right direction. The funds. don’t often find a building city is now accepting the first applica- Vancouver got the largest like this in the epicentre of tions for these new incentives. chunk of B.C.’s funding and Kitsilano.” The city is also considering has already prepared a Call UpCountry entrance: But conserving heritage extending these same incentives to for Expressions of Interest to A classical approach. buildings is never a smooth the very significant heritage build- invite the help of consultants. process. One of the more ings that line the Hastings Street According to Abigail Riley, a heri- significant challenges in this case corridor. Once one of Vancouver’s tage planning analyst with the city, was restoring the plaster ceiling. main shopping streets, Hastings was Vancouver will provide at least 146 After years of modern additions like never included in the Gastown or records by next spring for inclusion in air conditioning, the ceiling suffered Chinatown boundaries, and very few the National Register. tremendous damage. Bell spent con- of these buildings ever received heri- This is a daunting timeline. Each siderable time finding tradespeople tage protection. There are many real record requires considerable research, familiar with heritage plasterwork gems in this area that would benefit including a Statement of Significance to restore the ceiling’s original from these incentives. This and documentation of the informa- appearance. He also ensured that the is all good news for the tion in a format that’s compatible 15-foot addition to the right side of protection and upgrading with the provincial and national the building didn’t interfere with the of heritage resources in the Web-based systems. The first historic exterior. Downtown Eastside. records will focus on Chinatown, The renovation retains all the Gastown and the Hastings cor- grandeur and power of the former HPI spells good news ridor, with many more records bank, at the same time creating a for Vancouver expected to come. Some of them comfortable and modern retail space. might be eligible for federal UpCountry management are happy The : with their new location and enjoy the by Karen Russell grants. Another potential juxtaposition of their modern fur- HPI landmark. Finally, Canada can join other nishings with heritage architecture. Some $30 million in grants countries in promoting a national Successful conversions like this will go a long way to register with consistent standards demonstrate that heritage buildings can reducing heritage advocates’ frustra- and guidelines for ongoing conser- satisfy modern needs. And if that’s not tion with Ottawa. The money is part vation and maintenance. This is a enough to convince developers, then of the much-anticipated Historic giant step forward — not the last, we the financial viability should. Places Initiative (HPI). hope — and a tremendous benefit for For years, advocates have been lob- Vancouver’s heritage. bying the feds for tax credits for heri- A post-industrial renovation tage properties, similar to the long- Adaptation goes UpCountry for standing policy south of the border. Parks Canada and the Department of by Susan Boissonneault by Scott Barrett Canadian Heritage insist that the cred- its have merely been postponed. But A walk down Fourth Avenue toward For years heritage advocates feared in the meantime, Ottawa is offering Yew will bring you to a store offer- the Opsal Steel building in False $30 million in HPI grant money over ing all the latest in modern home Creek South would never survive the three years for conservation efforts furnishings. But you’ll be looking hand of a developer. Standing near- across the country. at a 1911 building, one of the oldest derelict, it was slowly deteriorating to the point that demolition seemed Mark Your Calendar certain. After losing the nearby Canron building, False Creek’s industrial heritage seemed doomed. Sept. 7 The City Halls of New Westminster, 1860 Sept. 29 Hallmark Society AGM. Ken Johnson and to Today. Walking tour with Archie Miller. 3 p.m. Ed Schaefer discuss their stonework and stained Making a case for industrial heritage Free. Memorial Plaza, 511 Royal Ave. glass restoration on Christ Church Cathedral. 7:30 is difficult at the best of times. p.m. 234 Menzies St., Victoria. (250) 382-4755. Finding new uses for these hulking Sept. 9 Stimson-Green Mansion and Dearborn structures makes conservation espe- House. Tour two of Seattle’s most stately his- Sept. 30 Oh What a Lovely Home: Craftsman torical residences with Larry Kreisman. Second Farm. Illustrated lecture by Beth Ann McPherson, cially challenging. Tuesday of each month, 1-2:30 p.m. curator of the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Built in 1918 by Dominion Pre-register at (206) 622-6952. Farm. 7:30 p.m. $10 Vancouver Museum mem- Construction and designed by www.cityofseattle.net/commnty/histsea/events/ bers, $15 non-members. 1100 Chestnut St. architect T.H. Bamforth, the build- Pre-registration suggested. (604) 734-7368. Sept. 10 John Stuart discusses a sample of North ing originally housed the Columbia Van Museum artifacts for their historical con- Oct. 8 Landscape Modern with Charles Birnbaum. Block and Tool Company. Although nections and as examples of early 20th-century The author and heritage advocate talks about cul- Opsal Steel was the second occu- material culture. 7 p.m. North Shore Historical tural landscape preservation. 7:30 p.m. $10 pant, the building is known by that Society. 209 West Fourth St., North Van. Vancouver Museum & Heritage Vancouver members, $15 non-members. name because of the prominent let- Sept. 13 Bellevue Modernism Tour. Self-guided Pre-registration suggested. (604) 734-7368. tering on the street-side facade. driving tour presented by DoCoMoMo and False Creek was once lined with Historic Seattle. 10-4 p.m. Ongoing industrial operations ranging from www.cityofseattle.net/commnty/histsea/events/ #DHSGTOURS (206) 622-6952. Walking tours with John Atkin. The historian and steel machining at Opsal to bar- heritage advocate has a schedule too busy to list rel-making at Sweeney Cooperage. Sept. 14 Wales Street Heritage Day Festival. A here. Does anyone know Vancouver better? The north side got a radical facelift John Atkin walking tour at 2 p.m., tours of Avalon www.johnatkin.com with Expo 86 and redevelopment by Dairy, displays, music and a variety of activi- ties for the whole family. Stop by the Heritage Chinatown walking tours. Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m. Concord Pacific. As a result, the dis- Vancouver display. 12-4 p.m. 5805 Wales St. & 2 p.m. $6 adults, $4 seniors, students, kids. trict’s industrial heritage has largely Chinese Cultural Centre, 50 East Pender St. disappeared, making what remains all Sept. 17 The Streetcar System Of Victoria. (604) 658-8883. the more important. Illustrated talk by transit historian Henry Ewert. Free. New Westminster. Public Library, A Century of Technology. An exhibit showing the Luckily, however, a developer 716 Sixth Ave. 7:30 p.m. evolution of “The Tower” through technology and keen on retaining the building architecture. Mon.-Fri. 8:30-5 p.m. to Sept. 12. came to the city last year with Peter Sept. 18 Vanishing Barns. Talk and slide show Starting Sept. 19: Image Building — Architectural Busby and Robert Lemon. The about Richmond barns by historian Graham Photography. Opening reception Sept. 18, 5:30-8: Turnbull. 7 p.m. By donation. Richmond Museum, 30 p.m. Free. Architectural Institute of B.C. architect-and-heritage-consultant 7700 Minoru Gate. www.city.richmond.bc.ca 440 Cambie St. team devised an ingenious plan to (604) 231-6460. incorporate the structure into a new Roedde House Museum, 1415 Barclay St. Tour development. City of Vancouver Sept. 19 this 1893 Queen Anne Revival house. Wed.-Sat. 1- Building the West: 5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m. $4 adults, $3 seniors, under heritage incentives will make this The Early Architects of B.C. 12 free. (604) 684-7040 to confirm, arrange group project economically viable. Heritage advocate Donald tours or inquire about Sunday tea-and-tours. A major part of the site, and of Luxton discusses his award- Afterwards, walk along Barclay Heritage Square. False Creek South itself, will be a winning book. 7 p.m. North Vancouver Irving House, 302 Royal Ave., New West. Tour tall, narrow residential tower. It will District Hall, 355 West an 1865 home. Sat.-Sun. 12:30-4:30 p.m. By sit beside the Opsal building, which Queens Rd. donation. The adjacent museum opens the will be shifted to accommodate both same hours. structures. The industrial build- Sept. 19-21 North Shore Heritage Weekend. A London Heritage Farm, 6511 Dyke Road, ing will contain both residential wide range of events including talks, home tours, Richmond. Tour an 1880s house and 4.6-acre and commercial spaces but reuse of boat tours and walking tours. See the online bro- farm. Sat.-Sun. 12-4 p.m. By donation. (604) original material will help retain the chure at www.dnv.org, www.cnv.org or 271-5220 or [email protected] for group tours building’s character. The restoration www.westvancouver.net or teas. Nearby sites include Britannia Heritage Shipyard Park, , Steveston will include some modernization and Sept. 25 The Companion. Paul Grant Museum and Steveston village itself. renovation, but the project is one that and Laurie Dickson discuss their recent book with brings great hope for Vancouver’s the Vancouver Historical Society. 7:30 p.m. Van. Downtown Historic Railway takes passengers often-neglected heritage. Museum, 1100 Chestnut St. www.vcn.bc.ca/vhs/ between the Science Centre and . Weekends and holidays from 12:30-5 p.m. $2 From a building that seemed des- Sept. 27-28 Bungalow & Craftsman Home Fair & adults, $1 kids & seniors. www.trams.bc.ca tined for the wrecking ball, to a site Arts & Crafts Lectures. 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle. (604) 665-3903. that will be preserved — the Opsal www.cityofseattle.net/commnty/histsea/ Steel story is truly worth celebrating. programs/bungalow.htm. (206) 622-6952. Words from the President HERITAGE Vancouver Looking back, and forward too PRESENTS Industrial Heritage: A Talk by John Stuart Wednesday, Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m. Dear Members, Vancouver Museum, 1100 Chestnut St.

This will be my last letter as president of Heritage Vancouver. Free for Heritage Vancouver members, Due to personal commitments I have to step down. I have $5 for non-members enjoyed the term and would like to highlight a few of the year’s successes. Heritage Vancouver has worked hard to bring you Heritage programs often focus on exciting events and fight for heritage conservation. prominent public buildings and on the Our programming committee brought you unforgettable presenta- houses of leading citizens. But in tions such as An Evening at the Waldorf, which celebrated Tiki heri- many cases these structures exist tage in Vancouver and across North America. An often uproarious only because the community rested on evening, it confirmed Heritage Vancouver’s reputation of combining a firm economic foundation created by serious purpose with fun. Few will forget Don Luxton’s presentation its industries. On Sept. 17 join us and I’ll never forget wearing a grass skirt in front of the largest crowd when John Stuart presents slides and ever seen at a Heritage Vancouver event. commentary about industrial heritage. It has been my pleasure to work with a dedicated board of directors These buildings will be considered as whose ideas have inspired great programming and effective advocacy local monuments with potential re-use campaigns. We have made considerable headway on issues like the as everything from shopping malls to and Shaughnessy, as well as producing our annual amusement parks. Top 10 list of endangered sites. This issue of our newsletter also marks an important step. Through meetings with the city we have Heritage Vancouver AGM published our first-ever Good News edition. What a great note for me Wednesday, Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m. to leave with — we have to remember that despite all the work ahead Vancouver Museum, 1100 Chestnut St. of us, there is much to celebrate. Thank you for a rewarding term. I look forward to working Elections will be held for a new board of with all of you for the conservation of Vancouver’s unique directors. If you’d like to put your name and exciting heritage. forward for a board position, please call (604) 254-9411. We will strive for the shortest AGM ever, followed by an entertaining and informative presenta- Scott Barrett tion. Watch for details. President, Heritage Vancouver Join Heritage Vancouver Membership valid one year from date of issue. Members receive a Name: monthly newsletter and reduced rates for tours and other activities. Address: City: Charitable donation #1073758-52. Membership fees are Postal Code: Telephone: E-mail: not tax deductible.

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