Historic Vancouver Photos - Page 10

whatnext · #**181** Posted **Dec 13, 2010, 6:21 AM**

This photo (from OAChris' Flickr photostream) shows The Bay downtown. Was Georgia & Granville a scramble intersection? It looks like people are crossing in all directions:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20522601@N00/5223120944/

Spork · #**182** Posted **Dec 13, 2010, 6:33 AM**

Wow. Looks a lot better without those canopies that are there today.

trofirhen · #**183** Posted **Dec 13, 2010, 4:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

This photo (from OAChris' Flickr photostream) shows The Bay downtown. Was Georgia & Granville a scramble intersection? It looks like people are crossing in all directions:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20522601@N00/5223120944/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spork

Wow. Looks a lot better without those canopies that are there today.

@whatnext: I know Vancouver once had a scramble crossing (saw it on film), and yes, I think it was at Granville and Georgia.

@Spork: How true! The Bay looked a lot classier then. I wish they'd get rid of those ugly metal overhangs, and go back to the sweeping, traditional style, as in the picture.

entheosfog · #**184** Posted **Dec 14, 2010, 2:58 AM**

It was indeed a scramble intersection! Here's a photo comparison I did from a 1956 photo:

eduardo88 · #**185** Posted **Dec 14, 2010, 4:50 AM**

Sacred Heart Convent, now the junior campus of St. George's School (my school from grades 2-10) in the 1920's

Another view looking down what is now 29th Ave just south of Dunbar at the Convent

Lord Byng high school in 1924

Paving of 21st Ave near Dunbar in 1925

View of the 4500 Block of Dunbar Street at 29th Avenue looking south in 1923

wrenegade · #**186** Posted **Dec 14, 2010, 6:18 PM**

Thanks for posting all these old photos guys! The Bay looks fantastic in those shots. I'd love to see them go back to those old awnings as well as the typeface on the signage!

eduardo88 · #**187** Posted **Dec 14, 2010, 7:05 PM**

Yeah The Bay building really needs a good reno on it's exterior to bring it back to it's former beauty

officedweller · #**188** Posted **Dec 14, 2010, 11:38 PM**

For the Bay, it needs to take the windows back up to full height and install a glass awning that doesn't interfere with views into the grandeur of the store.

I wouldn't mind seeing a wavey glass awning like this one installed (which is also a bit like the one on the Opus Hotel):

http://www.abbarch.com/currentwork/1750daviestreet.htm#

Prometheus · #**189** Posted **Dec 18, 2010, 12:31 AM**

Hey, at least we now have a 2-storey London Drugs. So it's all cool.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45379817@N08/5249146265/

The backside:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45379817@N08/5249749468/

Stingray2004 · #**190** Posted **Dec 18, 2010, 1:25 AM**

My mom had her dentist in that building. A Vancouver Sun reporter asked her opinion about the demolition of the Birks Building as she entered the elevator for another dental appointment back in the day. She was pretty upset actually.

BTW, it still had the original elevators prior to its demolition circa 1974. They had an "elevator boy" who sat on a stool and punched in the floor number for everyone. The elevator also had one of those cage doors, which the "elevator boy" opened on each floor.

whatnext · #**191** Posted **Dec 18, 2010, 6:57 AM**

The Birks building really added some class to that corner. Its loss was a real shame.

Dylan Leblanc · #**192** Posted **Dec 18, 2010, 9:38 AM**

Here's a neat view of the skyline in the 1960s.

flickr via ssc - http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...1205199&page=4

ckkelley · #**193** Posted **Dec 18, 2010, 8:16 PM**

^^
Oh those hippie photos on English Bay Beach are awesome!

Smooth · #**194** Posted **Dec 23, 2010, 7:47 PM**

The Vancouver Sun has some interesting historic postcards on their website: http://www.vancouversun.com/Photos+P...607/story.html

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to repost them here?

SpikePhanta · #**195** Posted **Dec 23, 2010, 8:24 PM**

The last one of the second hotel Vancouver is quite nice!
I guess the colour effect makes me appreciate the thing more.

officedweller · #**196** Posted **Dec 24, 2010, 1:04 AM**

Remember that Birks went back into that location and was there for years.

whatnext · #**197** Posted **Dec 24, 2010, 3:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smooth

The Vancouver Sun has some interesting historic postcards on their website: http://www.vancouversun.com/Photos+P...607/story.html

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to repost them here?

Those are great postcards. I always find it interesting that Vancouver had the tallest buildings in all the British Empire (not just Canada) with the Dominion Building and then the Sun Tower. Quite an accomplishment for what was at the time a very small city, up against some much larger competition!

delboy · #**198** Posted **Dec 27, 2010, 3:17 PM**

It's disgraceful the amout of heritage stock we have lost in this city. Misguided developers have done more damage in wiping out areas of the city than the Luftwaffe did during the London Blitz.

Sad, very sad.

delboy · #**199** Posted **Dec 27, 2010, 3:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

The Birks building really added some class to that corner. Its loss was a real shame.

Yes it did. I can live with the loss of the second Hotel Vancouver as the demise of it was contingent on the present one being built ( and much more elgant it is) but the loss of Birks is simply tragic...i actually feel gutted.

mrjauk · #**200** Posted **Dec 27, 2010, 3:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by delboy

Yes it did. I can live with the loss of the second Hotel Vancouver as the demise of it was contingent on the present one being built ( and much more elgant it is) but the loss of Birks is simply tragic...i actually feel gutted.

As do I. What a shame.