The History of two of Vancouver’s Major Downtown Streets and their Buildings
Saturday, July 26, 2014; 11am to 1pm
$15; Heritage Vancouver Members $10
Tour begins at 200 Granville St. Plaza, and ends on the north lawn of the Vancouver Art Gallery
Join historian and Senior Planner for Downtown Vancouver, Michael Gordon in an exploration of two of Vancouver’s most famous streets.
On Wednesday, May 15, 1886, Lauchlan Hamilton, a City of Vancouver Aldermen and the CPR Land Commissioner began to stake out and survey what would become Granville Street and West Georgia Streets. It is still today one of Vancouver’s pre-eminent ‘high streets’ reflecting many elements that define our city.
Our walk will begin at the northern foot of Granville Street, the location of the 1st and 2nd CPR train stations overlooking the CP rail yards and the port. You will find us on the plaza by the entrance to 200 Granville Street that was to become a much larger project that would have demolished Gastown buildings between Abbott Street and Granville Street.
We will then walk south on Granville Street and look and hear about the street’s history. Important historic Granville Street buildings and key events that occurred on the street will be discussed. The past and current roles of the street as a transit hub, a shopping street, an office, hotel and entertainment district and a cultural and neon mecca will also be highlighted.
It will also be noted that a key Council decision in the early 90’s reduced the permitted height from 300 feet to 90’ on the blocks south of Robson Street resulting in the retention of almost all of the historic buildings that existed on these southerly blocks at that time.
We will also observe the historic buildings on West Georgia between Seymour Street and Burrard Street.
Our tour will take in the lobby of the Hotel Vancouver with memories shared about the days when this part of the downtown was an entertainment mecca with a variety of live music venues on Hornby and Burrard Streets.
To purchase tickets please visit here
Cheque payment option: Made out to Heritage Vancouver Society and mailed to: 1020 Denman St., PO Box 47036 Denman Place, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E1. Please let us know if you've mailed a cheque at [email protected].
