spencerjohn:
Vancouver Healing Lodge 31 West Pender (Opening June 11th)
This is going to be a really significant addition to the DTES. I’m really proud a former co-worker of mine was behind this! Actually, he’s VNHS president!
Here’s the background on the building’s heritage from the City of Vancouver administrative report from October 2010:
This building is primarily valued for its architecture and the history of ownership and use. Designed by the same talented architect who designed the World Building (Sun Tower) - W. T. Whiteway, this attractive building was made with high quality brick and the combination of steel columns and fire-resistant millwork floors. The principal facade is characterized by rich surface details, ornamented window surrounds and entablatures.
Built in 1913 for Storey and Campbell, owners of the Storey and Campbell Co., this residential building (aka Palmer Rooms) provided lodging on the upper floors, with retail at the ground level. It was conveniently located between the warehouse district and Chinatown, and within walking distance to the major transportation nodes. The building remained in the Storey family until 1946, when it was purchased by Lai Hing. Lai lived in this building and operated his hotel business under Wingate Hotel for about 30 years. Most recently, the building’s name was changed to Pender Hotel.
ps: Architect and concept illustration credit goes to Joe Y. Wai Architect Inc.
The Vancouver Trust Company, an architectural drawing from an advertisement in the September 1910 issue of Man-to-Man Magazine Vol 6, no.9 (previously known as Westward Ho! Magazine and later renamed British Columbia Magazine). The advertisement announces their new address at 614 Pender Street, and promises that “A Trust Company Cannot Die or Abscond”. I guess not.
The building didn’t turn out precisely as illustrated, lacking the arts & crafts typography for one, as the period photograph from the magazine illustrates. Today, the classic lines of the building can just barely be made out, as seen in the Google streetview image. The building is located just next door to Malone’s Bar & Grill downtown.
Proposed pagoda for Pender Street, from the October 1968 issue of Canadian Architect. In a 1969 article from the Calgary Herald, ‘Corny’ Architecture Rapped at Meeting, it mentions that Vancouver is importing a genuine pagoda from the Orient, to be used as a pagoda; I presume this is the pagoda they are are referring to. Instead of the extravagant pagoda seen here, the city would eventually get the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden, which was built in 1985 and completed just in time for Expo 86. I for one am glad we got the garden over the pagoda; in this particular location, the pagoda seems clearly out of proportion to the street and surrounding buildings. One final detail to note; as you can see in the second photograph, Pender Street was once a one-way street heading west at this junction.
Cover image of Chinatown, from the October 1968 issue of Canadian Architect, artist unknown. The scene illustrates E Pender Street, looking towards Carrall. Inside this issue are a number of fantasy concepts which I hope to feature in a series of upcoming posts. Click here for the Google Street View today.
717 East Pender by Marlene Yuen, a book artist, and seen at the Alcuin Society Wayzgoose 2011. From the limited edition accordion book A Haunting History of Vancouver, hand printed silkscreen images with glow-in-the-dark ink, published October, 2011.
Clark and Pender (2009), acrylic on paper by Robi Smith.
Flyer 2912, painting number 6 in a series of 24 paintings of the old buses of Vancouver, by Cindy Buckshon. Featuring the number 4 bus turning up Granville Street in front of the Rogers Sugar building at West Pender. Acrylic on wood, 48 x 24 inches. From April 1 – April 23, Cindy has a painting of Brill 2282 on exhibit at a juried show “Celebration of Spring – A Fresh Start” held by the Burnaby Arts Council at the Deer Lake Gallery.
Cambie and Pender Alley, acrylic on canvas by Taralee Guild, 2010.
