With Wally’s Burgers due to close at month’s end, I gathered some kindred spirits and we went on a cruise down Kingsway (in my ‘63 Rambler, natch) to Wally’s and also paid a visit to the 2400 Motel, another mid-century relic with an uncertain future. Christine and I were joined by conductor and City Opera co-founder Charles Barber, and arts facilitator and community activist Sharon Kravitz. Fun was had by all. Check out the great photos!

Another piece of the Vancouver that I know and love is dead.

I’m deeply saddened to report that on Thursday morning, the “Fido” building, a true charmer and a unique part of the city’s architectural mix, was crunched into rubble, gone forever from the city’s landscape.

This has me both sad and very angry.

I just loved this building - an audacious art deco delight at the corner of Georgia and Richards that was like no other. Dating back to the 30’s, this bold little structure featured a dynamic, cylindrical tower, lots of stainless steel, and a “Rocketeer”-esque, jet age dynamism. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s the little townhomes that… couldn’t.

I always liked these little semi-detached cottage-like homes, just off of Pacific Boulevard and steps from the beach. A charming holdover from the onset of jumbo apartment blocks. But I guess economics finally did them in: they’re slated for demolition. Sigh…

Take a last look

A photo exhibit at SFU shows East Hastings with thriving business serving a then-still-existent working class; and a protest on the Burrard Bridge in 1985 that shows the gritty industrial character down below… before they cleared that all away to make room for the glass towers.

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With all the rejoicing over the preservation and revitalization of Woodwards, it came as a shock to learn that most of the sprawling Woodwards site is to be demolished, with only the very original structure remaining. The rest may not be “heritage” but it will be missed.

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It was a sad and unexpected development when the cavernous Capitol 6 theatre on Granville closed down for good. I managed to talk my way in after the final show and have one last ramble around the old place.

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