Category: History

Chinatown · History · urban design · Vancouver

Considering Chinatown: boundaries, impacts and going slow & messy

John AtkinLeave a comment

Chinatown’s boundary has been shaped by many factors beyond the community’s control. Industry on False Creek, rail yards, ship yards crowded the southern edge. In the 1960s the edge is defined by the freeway planning that creates the Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts. To the east, urban renewal truncates the neighbourhood at Gore removing businesses, clan associations… Continue reading Considering Chinatown: boundaries, impacts and going slow & messy

Awards · History · urban design

Volumetric Preservation maybe ’cause it sure isn’t heritage or conservation

John AtkinLeave a comment

A 120 year old house is stripped of its 1960s era stucco. Underneath, original siding with an uncommon profile is revealed and looked to be in great shape. The next day the siding is ripped of the house and tossed. The house is gutted and all of the interior fittings hit the disposal bin. The porch… Continue reading Volumetric Preservation maybe ’cause it sure isn’t heritage or conservation

History · urban design

Maxine Lane, the newest addition to the West End

John AtkinLeave a comment

In December, City Council will receive a report from the Civic Assets Naming Committee recommending that the lane between Harwood and Burnaby streets be named Maxine Lane to honour Maxine MacGilvray an enterprising Vancouver business women. Maxine’s name was chosen because of her strong connection to the West End with her beauty school and salon… Continue reading Maxine Lane, the newest addition to the West End

History · Pacific Northwest · urban design · Vancouver

The First Chinook Street Name

John AtkinLeave a comment

At their November 29, 2016 meeting City Council approved the recommendations of the Civic Assets Naming Committee to name a new road in the redevelopment of the Arbutus Shopping Centre as Lahb Avenue. Lahb is Chinook for the Arbutus tree. This is the first Chinook word used for a street in Vancouver. This approval continues the… Continue reading The First Chinook Street Name

History · Vancouver

Ouch!

John AtkinLeave a comment

Luckily this sad accident wouldn’t happen today, but 120 years ago stumping was quite common and the blasted stumps caused havoc with roads and streetcar lines… from the Vancouver World, 1913. And here’s a Stumping Powder box from James Island just off Sidney on Vancouver Island.

History · urban design · Vancouver

Louvre Hotel propped up…

John Atkin1 Comment

The poor old former Louvre Hotel. Today a portion of the building is propped up with steel posts, bolts and plywood because of some careless demolition next door. Let’s hope the building survives this latest threat. The Louvre has a fascinating history which I wrote about 5 years ago. Here’s the link.

Chinatown · History · urban design · Vancouver

Chinatown: the freeway didn’t kill it but the zoning just might…

John AtkinLeave a comment

Declared a provincial historic area in the 1970s and a national historic district in 2011, Chinatown is recognized for its significant contribution to British Columbia and Canada. The Chinatown Gate, spanning Pender west of Carrall Street, welcomes visitors and Vancouverites to the district. The never ending parade of tour busses in the summer months attest… Continue reading Chinatown: the freeway didn’t kill it but the zoning just might…

History · urban design · Vancouver · walking tours

Wednesday Night Heritage Walks!

John Atkin3 Comments

This summer we’re looking at some quirky and interesting bits of the city. Walks start at 7:00pm and cost 10 bucks.  No reservations needed, just show up at the location listed. Walks go regardless of the weather. July 13 – Strathcona: the other side of the tracks The area between the CN tracks and Clark… Continue reading Wednesday Night Heritage Walks!

Chinatown · History · urban design · Vancouver

Around and Around We Go…

John Atkin1 Comment

Sometimes the third time isn’t lucky. The Beedie Group has revamped their proposed tower at 105 Keefer yet again. But they really haven’t learned much in the intervening months since pulling their previous design. If you are going to build on the edge of a nationally significant community, it pays to understand the place and… Continue reading Around and Around We Go…

History · Vancouver

A Poem for a Sawmill

John AtkinLeave a comment

Digging through the New Zealand newspapers for some research I came across this poem in the September 10, 1915 edition of The Star from Christchurch written by C. Fox Smith. C. Fox Smith is Cicely Fox Smith (1 February 1882 – 8 April 1954) an English poet and writer. Born in Lymm, Cheshire and educated at Manchester High School for… Continue reading A Poem for a Sawmill