Downtown Vancouver Updates - Page 366

city-dweller · #**7301** Posted **Apr 8, 2011, 7:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Well, at least that means the head activists will still have jobs

Unlike the poor souls whose whole life purpose came and went with the Olympics.

hollywoodnorth · #**7302** Posted **Apr 9, 2011, 5:03 AM**

Vancouver heritage theatre demolished

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-co...08/bc-vancouver-pantages-demolition.html

Hed Kandi · #**7303** Posted **Apr 9, 2011, 12:15 PM**

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SpongeG · #**7304** Posted **Apr 9, 2011, 4:20 PM**

i saw some pics of the interior on the news - from all the people saying how amazing it was inside I was like - that was it ? it didn't look anything fancy or opulent like its been described by the people who wanted it saved - they made it sound like we would be losing the sistine chapel

ckkelley · #**7305** Posted **Apr 9, 2011, 5:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by leftside

Lot's of proposed new development for the DTES has been cancelled or been put on hold. The activists have gotten quite powerful lately:

https://sites.google.com/site/fightfor10sites/
The 99 W. Pender (Budget car rental site), recommended to go from 7 stories allowed last year to 15 recommended in the report has been STOPPED.

The 425 Carrall (B C Electric Building); recommended to go from 7 stories allowed last year to 15 in the report has been STOPPED.

Also, Greenwich: http://www.concordpacific.com/greenwich/
Concord Pacific are wanting to sell this site due to all the problems with developing within the DTES.

There was a real momentum in the neighborhood a couple of years ago to change things, but now it looks like the status quo will remain for quite a while.

And the quagmire continues unabated....

officedweller · #**7306** Posted **Apr 9, 2011, 11:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i saw some pics of the interior on the news - from all the people saying how amazing it was inside I was like - that was it ? it didn't look anything fancy or opulent like its been described by the people who wanted it saved - they made it sound like we would be losing the sistine chapel

Probably due to confusion about the first and second Pantages Theatres.
The more opulent 1917 one was at 20 West Hastings - and was demolished in the 1960s I think. This one was older - about 1907?

vancityrox · #**7307** Posted **Apr 10, 2011, 1:06 AM**

Here's an interested little slideshow of some great lost buildings in Vancouver.
I just do not understand how they can destroy some of those buildings!
http://www.vancouversun.com/Images+Vanco...578493/story.html?tab=PHOT&cid=hot_photo

hollywoodnorth · #**7308** Posted **Apr 10, 2011, 1:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by vancityrox

Here's an interested little slideshow of some great lost buildings in Vancouver.
I just do not understand how they can destroy some of those buildings!
http://www.vancouversun.com/Images+Vanco...578493/story.html?tab=PHOT&cid=hot_photo

well throughout history there have been idiots like Hed Kandi in charge at one point or another ... therefor buildings like those mentioned become susceptible to their moronic whims and the retardation of history abounds

EastVanMark · #**7309** Posted **Apr 10, 2011, 1:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Probably due to confusion about the first and second Pantages Theatres.
The more opulent 1917 one was at 20 West Hastings - and was demolished in the 1960s I think. This one was older - about 1907?

You are correct. The second Pantages theater was the more opulent of the 2. This one was the older of the 2. The second was demolished in 1972 I believe and the site remained vacant for the next 3 decades!!! The news story doesn't do justice for the theater (why they chose to only show those few views is puzzling to say the least). Also, remember that this theater was renovated a few times in its lifespan so some of the more opulent features might have been removed or covered. Unfortunately, now we will never know.

However, it is once again plainly obvious the city's "efforts" to salvage the building was a complete and total joke. Chalk up another loss for the heritage of this city.

Architype · #**7310** Posted **Apr 10, 2011, 1:50 AM**

Quote:

Over the years, the theatre has changed hands several times and there have been several attempts to save it — usually tied to large developments proposals.

But none of the plans was ever financially viable, said Don Luxton of Heritage Vancouver.

"It's very sad, because I think it's an area that is in transition, and in a few more years we might have seen a different solution," Luxton said.

There is no plan in place to redevelop the site.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-co...08/bc-vancouver-pantages-demolition.html

It's unfortunate, but you can't save every heritage building. In recent years Vancouver has been doing a reasonably good job at preserving it's heritage in individual buildings, but as far as preserving the overall heritage look of much of the city, that possibility is long gone, or never existed with the amount of growth here.

Hed Kandi · #**7311** Posted **Apr 10, 2011, 2:09 AM**

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trofirhen · #**7312** Posted **Apr 10, 2011, 2:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hed Kandi

It is apparent that you have me misunderstood.

The Pantages theatre is a mere shadow of its former glory. The chance for any sort of restoration in the foreseeable future was nil.

The Birks building should have never been demolished. As far as the former Hotel Vancouver is concerned, it was replaced by the current Hotel Vancouver whose Chateauesque architecture is vastly more beautiful.

As sad as these losses are, they really pale in comparison to the travesties that have occurred in NYC - perhaps the greatest architectural losses not caused by natural disaster or war.

My Thread: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1201705

Looked at your thread and WOW!! Indeed, NYC has lost some fabulous buildings. Some of course were greater losses than others, but the architecture in that city was and is amazing.

Anyway back on topic: if the Pantages was beyond repair, I think it'd have to go. Sad, but real. But as you say, the Birks Building NEVER should have been torn down. That one makes me see red.

entheosfog · #**7313** Posted **Apr 10, 2011, 9:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Looked at your thread and WOW!! Indeed, NYC has lost some fabulous buildings. Some of course were greater losses than others, but the architecture in that city was and is amazing.

Anyway back on topic: if the Pantages was beyond repair, I think it'd have to go. Sad, but real. But as you say, the Birks Building NEVER should have been torn down. That one makes me see red.

The big issue is that the theatre should have never gotten to the 'beyond repair' state to begin with if something was done with it a matter of years ago.
But it's yet another important historic structure gone forever in this city. I wonder what will be next...

vancityrox · #**7314** Posted **Apr 12, 2011, 4:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by entheosfog

The big issue is that the theatre should have never gotten to the 'beyond repair' state to begin with if something was done with it a matter of years ago.
But it's yet another important historic structure gone forever in this city. I wonder what will be next...

Hopefully the "historical" eyesore of a Sears building....

officedweller · #**7315** Posted **Apr 12, 2011, 8:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by entheosfog

The big issue is that the theatre should have never gotten to the 'beyond repair' state to begin with if something was done with it a matter of years ago.
But it's yet another important historic structure gone forever in this city. I wonder what will be next...

Probably the result of the neighbourhood it's in and the long timeline associated with / no prospect of a profitable or break even utilitization of the facility in the future. A bit like the Central Michigan Terminal in Detroit.

SpongeG · #**7316** Posted **Apr 13, 2011, 9:43 PM**

Residents not pooh-poohing washroom proposal for busy Vancouver park

By Frank Luba, The Province April 13, 2011 2:31 PM

Nelson Park in Vancouver’s busy West End is going to get a toilet if a Vancouver Park Board motion is approved Monday.

The community is supportive of the plan for an automated public toilet according to Brent Granby, a director of the West End Residents Association.

“There’s wide community support for it,” said Granby.

“We need public bathrooms,” he added. “It’s good for tourism, it’s good for business.”

Nelson Park is used as a playground for people and pets, has a community garden and also hosts a farmer’s market in the summer time.

The one thing it doesn’t have is a bathroom.

...

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/Residents+poo...er+park/4610232/story.html#ixzz1JRSuO4Vl