These pics were on my old site but trapped in an oh-so-Web-1.0 gallery. I’ve dug up the originals and put ‘em on Flickr. Enjoy a tour through the venerable Pantages Theatre!

Here’s a great story! In the 40’s and 50’s, the original century-old Heather Pavillion was gradually hemmed in by boxy new buildings, due to a need for more working space and a complete lack of heritage awareness. But, incredibly, the surrounding buildings are going to be demolished, and the old structure restored to its vintage grandeur, complete with garden and manicured grounds!

But now, have a look at the hemmed-in hodgepodge that is the Heather Pavillion grounds today.

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I love when old business signs, long hidden yet still intact, are revealed. That happened briefly with this building at Granville and 14th. A visit to the library revealed that “Richmond Arts” was a framing store that only was in business for a year or so, circa 1971. In October 2003, its red signage saw the light of day once more - briefly.

The building underwent one of those unfortunate “skinning” operations that saw it completely gutted, the outer walls propped up, and a brand-new inside built up. While it preserves the street view, it results in a “stage set” where the real soul of the building is eliminated. But it’s better than nothing, I guess…

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On Monday, January 23rd, 2006 – a grey, drizzly day like most that month – I had the rare delight of previewing what should soon be a major part of the Downtown Eastside’s burgeoning renaissance. I joined a group of community and heritage supporters for a special tour inside the Pantages Theatre at 150 East Hastings Street.

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Never heard of the Pantages? No wonder. It’s been empty and derelict for years now, and before that, it was an Asian movie house - its former glories as a live entertainment venue long forgotten in the mists of time.

But now, miraculously, those glory days are set to return! The Pantages is due to be restored to its original beauty, inside and out, due to the tireless efforts of some remarkable people who form the Pantages Theatre Arts Society (PTAS).

And it’s not just the theatre - there will be market and social housing, art galleries - a wholly integrated development.

The contrast between the sad current state of the area, and what is to come in only a couple of years, is incredible and thrilling to comprehend. The place is about to blossom - within two years there will be 21 art galleries in this corridor, Woodwards will be underway; much more is in the works. The area will be transforming from one that frightens people to one that attracts visitors from all over the city.

The current neighbours have been carefully considered as well - this is no cookie-cutter, clear-out-the-locals gentrification project. The PTAS has consulted extensively with local community, social service and arts groups, including the Chinese community. The needs of all have been considered at every step.

The thoroughness, inclusiveness, and vision with which this project has been planned simply blows me away. Stand on that sidewalk, look around you, and imagine the street transformed, with art, theatre, social services, a vibrant mix of young and old, rich and poor - a real neighbourhood and a magnet for culture and creativity. Standing there that grey Monday afternoon, I could see it clear as day. And it was thrilling.

A building reno on West Hastings revealed - for a few weeks, anyway - this prominent “DENTIST” sign from another era. Probably before “painless” dentistry, I’m guessing…

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