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Endangered Sites Update Problems viewing this e-mail? Read this bulletin from our website Heritage Vancouver Society provides information about opportunities to appreciate, preserve, and restore our heritage structures and neighbourhoods through events, tours, films, forums, and reports. Working with developers, architects, businesses, associations, community groups, and arts and cultural organizations, we are helping to preserve significant heritage structures and neighbourhoods in our diverse city for the enjoyment of future generations. Here are some of the sites and issues that we have been monitoring, and updates to their current status. In addition, our Top 10 Endangered Sites lists from 2001 to 2009 are continuously updated on our website (heritagevancouver.org/topten.htm)
Pantages Theatre (1907): High risk of total demolition The sale of the Pantages is progressing and it is our understanding that the interested purchaser does not intend to retain the building. In the meantime the Theatre's condition has deteriorated so rapidly it is now off limits to visitors. It appears that Vancouver will lose a 101-year old theatre, unique in all of western Canada. Photos and further info:
Firehall #15 (1913): A Step in the Right Direction Photos and further info:
Burrard Bridge (1932): Another Step in the Right Direction Vancouver City Council has finally taken steps towards resolving a two-decade long deadlock on the fate of the Burrard Bridge. On May 7th, 2009 they voted to proceed with a trial lane re-allocation, to close one lane of traffic and re-route pedestrians to the west sidewalk. The reason for the trial is to determine whether or not reallocating car lanes to bikes is a viable alternative to the "outrigger" bike lanes that have been adamantly opposed by Heritage Vancouver. Vision is assuring supporters of the trial that communications about the process will be more effective than in 1996, when a similar trial was cancelled after 6 days. In the meantime, heritage elements of the Burrard Bridge continue to deteriorate, and it is unlikely that the Bridge will be restored or receive new lighting prior to the Olympics. Our heritage landmark remains a shabby shadow of its former glory, but this decision on the trial may allow the City to finally proceed with much-needed restoration and restoration. Photos and further info: City of Vancouver project info:
Gastown ANNOUNCEMENT:
First Shaughnessy: Walter C. Nichol House (1913) - Appears to be Saved This outstanding example of an Arts and Crafts residence – a prime illustration of the “English Picturesque Aesthetic” as outlined in the First Shaughnessy Design Guidelines, is widely-recognized as one of famed architect Samuel Maclure’s finest houses. Flanked by two outstanding Tudor Revival houses, the Nichol house anchors a perfect Crescent of pre-1940 houses – one of the few intact streets left in First Shaughnessy. There has been ferocious opposition from the neighbourhood to the proposed development that would preserve the house, by allowing townhouses to be constructed on the lots to the north. The current plan accepts the home’s non-conforming position straddling two lots, meaning that it will not be necessary to strata title the house, avoiding the requirements for so that rain screening (which would destroy the exterior), and sprinklering and other code requirements (which would tear up the meritorious period interior). Rezoning the lower lot for townhouses is a similar solution as was achieved in preserving Hycroft. As one Councillor previously remarked when walking around the Crescent, the proposed HRA/CD-1 lot would have no visual impact on The Crescent. As for the underground parking, the same scale of parking is underneath the Chinese Consulate around the corner on Granville Street and has met with no resistance from Shaughnessy Heights Property Owners Association. Despite a well-organized opposition from the Shaughnessy Heights Property Owners Association, it appears that City Council is still supportive of moving forward with the townhouse solution, that will allow the Nichol House to be preserved. Photos and further info:
Shaughnessey Hospital (1940-1944): Risk of Total Demolition Children's and Women's Hospitals held an open house on April 27 to talk about the long-range redevelopment plans for their 46 acre Oak Street site. The drawings, models and information provided at this event were alarming for those who want to see heritage buildings preserved from the original Shaughnessy Hospital. While a "Statement of Significance" on heritage buildings is apparently being prepared, the two hospitals envision a major reconfiguration in the exact location containing the original Shaughnessy Hospital structures: the 1940 A Block and the 1944 B and C Blocks. The A Block features spectacular Second World War era memorial bas reliefs at either side of the main entrance. Architects in attendance at the April 27 event talked about saving small features on these original structures, but tended to downplay the idea of preserving entire buildings or even complete facades. The hospitals seem to want to locate all of their high technology medical functions in ultra modern facilities in the current location of the core heritage buildings, as opposed to converting these structures to less technologically demanding uses such as administration. Photos and further info:
Heritage Register Update: on Hold How are heritage buildings protected in Vancouver? 1. Listing on the Heritage Register: does not offer protection, but it does rate/flag properties in the planning process (A, B, or C rating). A building which is listed on the Heritage Register *can* be altered on the exterior, and may even be demolished. 2. Designation: the Heritage Register and heritage designation are entirely separate classifications. Heritage designation is a legal means of heritage protection. It allows the City to regulate, by By-law, the demolition, relocation and alteration of heritage property. Interior features can also be protected by designation. Changes to a designated site require a Heritage Alteration Permit, while changes to the exterior of a building on the Heritage Register do not require such a permit. Designations are noted on the property title; the Heritage Register is not. Further info:
Heatley Block (1931; Houses 1889 & 1898): Threatened The city seems to have made the decision to have the new library located on Hastings Street and is not interested in the alternative proposed by the community that would have the new library located in the 1921 Strathcona School Building, just one block south of Hastings—a proposal that would save another neighbourhood landmark building threatened with demolition. Due to the vehement community opposition to the Heatley Block site and a recently completed SOS pointing to the heritage value of the buildings, the city is currently looking for a Hastings Street alternative to the Heatley Block. However, if they cannot find that alternative, it is likely the Heatley block and two houses (1889 and 1898) will be demolished and used as the site for the new East End Library. Photos, articles, links and further info:
Roselawn Funeral Home (1941): Lost Photos and further info:
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