Volume 11 Number 2 February 2002 HERITAGE Vanco N e w s l e tu t ev r er Top Ten Endangered Sites nce again, Heritage Vancouver presents its Top Ten bridge will lose its edges, and its architectural features will be Endangered Sites. This is our second annual list— isolated. The proposed outrigger structures will radically alter and we’ve shown this is an idea that really works to the external appearance of this landmark structure. Oraise interest in, and awareness of, Vancouver’s threatened heritage structures. Let’s get to work on doing just that for 2. Hastings Street (Cambie to Main), including Pantages the following ten, and make our tenth anniversary year Theatre, Ralph Block, Woodward’s one to remember. Once the commercial heart of Vancouver, East Hastings Street between Cambie and Main is the city’s best surviving turn-of- 1. Burrard Bridge the-century streetscape. However, the buildings are empty, Completed in 1932 to provide a high-level crossing to the upkeep and maintenance is minimal or non-existent and western neighbourhoods, the bridge is a triumph of civic demolition has left ugly gaps along the street. Hastings architecture and a key gateway structure. Architects Sharp Street needs help before all of it is lost to the wrecking ball. and Thompson, conscious of the bridge’s ceremonial gate- Among the treasures of this stretch, behind a modest brick way function, embellished the utilitarian steel superstructure facade at 152 East Hastings, is the oldest remaining Pantages with imposing concrete towers, torch-like entrance-pylons, Theatre in North America. Built in 1907 by Alexander and art deco sculptural details. Unifying the parts are heavy Pantages as part of his emerging vaudeville and movie concrete railings, originally topped by decorative street empire, this theatre is one of the oldest purpose-built vaude- lamps. To facilitate cyclist and pedestrian use, the City is ville theatre interiors in Canada. The building has been empty considering demolition of the concrete railings and the addi- and dark for over a decade and the future of this important tion of outrigger sidewalks. Without the original railings, the building is still uncertain. Farther west, in the 100 block of see Endangered page two Photo above Burrard Street Bridge 1930s from cover Endangered 4. Clark House (243 East 5th Avenue, HERITAGE Mount Pleasant) The Clark House in Mount Pleasant, Vancouver on 5th just east of Main street, is the PRESENTS oldest home in Vancouver. In 1888, Mount Pleasant was established as Heritage Vancouver and the City the first Vancouver neighbourhood of Vancouver Celebrate outside of the downtown core. As the Heritage Week assessment records and city directories Heritage Vancouver and the City of compiled in 1888 indicate, at that time Vancouver are jointly sponsoring three free the Clark House was one of the only lectures during the week of February 18. homes south of False Creek. It has We will kick off Heritage Week cel- changed remarkably little since it was ebrations with a proclamation read in City built. Unfortunately, it is not economi- Hall prior to Monday’s lecture. False Creek: B. C.’s industrial heartland Monday, February 18, Noon City Hall, Council Chambers Pantages John Stuart of the North Vancouver Museum explores the industrial history of West Hastings, is the rotting hulk of False Creek and will discuss possibilities the Ralph Block, an important cast for former industrial buildings. iron facade and a ‘B’ on the City’s Heritage Register. This block, devas- Arthur Erickson’s Garden tated by the closure of Woodward’s in Clark House Tuesday, February 19, 6:30 pm 1992, is now in danger of demolition Architecture Centre, 100–440 Cambie St. by neglect. Schemes have come and cally viable for the current owner to Arthur Erickson explores the ideas and influ- gone for this site, but time is not on retain the building on its current site. ences behind the design of his own garden. this building’s side. The City is looking for options to Burrard Bridge retain the house and move it to a new Thursday, Februrary 21, Noon 3. Giant Dipper Roller Coaster site, and for a group to champion City Hall, Council Chambers (PNE Playland) restoration of the building. Heritage consultant Don Luxton uncov- Playland’s Giant Dipper Roller Coaster ers—through little known and never before is known across North America as one 5. North Vancouver Ferry No. 5 seen photographs—the fascinating history of the best coaster rides going, but (Foot of Lonsdale Avenue) of one of this city’s best known bridges. when the PNE picks up and leaves Built in 1941, Ferry No. 5 was the last Hastings Park the coaster’s future is of five ferries built for the Burrard Also during Heritage Week: bleak. Landscape architects have sug- Inlet service between the foot of Night at the Orpheum gested that it be broken up and used as Columbia Street and Lonsdale. After Wednesday, February 20, 7pm garden sculpture in a redesigned park. the ferry service was discontinued in Orpheum Theatre, Granville St. This rare wooden coaster deserves bet- 1958, the vessel was converted for use Join us in the dress circle for the February ter—much better. as the Seven Seas seafood restaurant meeting of Heritage Vancouver, to be fol- The Giant Dipper is constructed and remained berthed within metres of lowed by an extensive tour of the Theatre entirely of specially treated fireproof its original landing site at the foot of itself. This is your chance to see behind woods and was built from scratch on Lonsdale. The landmark Seven Seas the curtains and hear about the backstage the PNE Grounds. It’s 75 feet high at neon sign, perched atop the ferry, is dramas. Meet at the Box Office on the Granville Street side of the theatre. $5 for its tallest point, and in 1958, the year among the region’s best surviving members, $10 for non-members. of its construction, it was one of the examples, and provides one of the two highest roller coasters in North most spectacular street-end views in Chinatown by Night America. Walker LeRoy, of Oaks Park, the Lower Mainland. The City of Friday, February 22, 8pm (rain or shine) Oregon, oversaw construction using the North Vancouver, which owns the Chinese Cultural Centre, 50 East Pender St. plan created by Carl Phare, the world’s water lot and is concerned that the ves- This Heritage Vancouver tour will offer foremost roller coaster builder and sel is no longer seaworthy, in October another chance to take a different look at designer. This was the last coaster that gave interested parties six months to Chinatown, as John Atkin explores the his- Carl Phare designed and he said, “I’m find either a purchaser or financing for tory and architecture of this unique area in a really proud of this ride, I know I’ll rehabilitation. Without a solution, the series of evening tours. Don’t forget to never build another so I put everything ferry will be towed from its moorings bring your flashlight. Meet in the courtyard I have learned over the past 56 years and likely scrapped. of the Chinese Cultural Center, by the gate. into this one. There’ll never be another $5 for members, $10 for non-members. one as good.” 6. Terminus Hotel (30 Water Street, Vancouver this year is our industrial Under the proposed rezoning (to per- Gastown) heritage, it is particularly fitting that mit a Costco store and residential tow- Constructed on Water Street just after the Opsal Steel building makes a reap- ers), the Beatty Street grade would be the Great Fire in 1886, the Terminus pearance in this year’s Top Ten. Time extended outward in a plaza structure, Hotel is a Gastown landmark and one continues its work on the heavy timber burying the escarpment, and maroon- of the oldest buildings in the city. In construction, pitched roof and roof- ing the Drill Hall on a flat surface. March 1998, a tragic fire destroyed all top lantern vents that make this one of The escarpment would become but the brick, bay-windowed facade, the best remaining examples of turn- a concrete retaining wall for a which was propped up by a steel frame of-the-century industrial architec- parkade, the tunnel portal would in the hope that the owners would be ture in the city. Its little Moderne be demolished, and Viaduct Park able to save the facade as part of a corner office building would be obliterated. new building. Three years have passed, with the original 1940s and the burned-out hulk continues to signage also 9. Domtar Salt Building deteriorate, its prospects weakened by continues (85 West 1st low demand for upper floor uses in to deterio- Avenue near rate. Once Manitoba) a Class A With the pending listing, the redevelopment future of this of Opsal Steel, site has been Domtar Salt Bld. the Domtar Salt uncertain since building is likely to be the last remain- it was removed from the Vancouver ing piece of industrial heritage in Heritage Register. Rumor has it that the southeast False Creek area. This the current owners are working on 1931 Class B heritage site still has its redevelopment plans for the site. original single-glazed multi-pane win- dows and red wooden siding. There 8. Beatty Street Escarpment/ is a movement afoot to make this a Viaduct Park/ CPR Tunnel Portal model sustainable building. Keeping The escarpment below Beatty Street heritage from the landfill is sustain- is among the few remaining natural able, but plans for the building could features in the downtown and provides well involve replacing or concealing Terminus Hotel a commanding site for the historic original cladding, windows and other Beatty Street Drill Hall.