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The Salt Building was constructed in 1931 to process unrefined salt from San Francisco, which was used by the fishing industry to preserve their catch before refrigeration became commonplace. The dilapitated structure was restored prior to the 2010 Olympics, given a Heritage B status and currently enjoys life as a popular restaurant. (1933 Stuart Thompson photo from Vancouver City Archives.)

This heritage building in Gastown was constructed in 1906 for $10,000. It still retains many of its original post and beam details. It's been in continuous use for over 100 years, initially housing importers of liquor and cigars, and later wholesalers of dry goods and produce. Today the street level is occupied by a clothing company, and office space in the upper floors. (1924 photo from Vancouver Photo Archives).

This 1909 building was constructed specifically for the A.R. Williams firm, which bought, sold and repaired machinery in shops throughout the country. At one time it was the largest company of its kind in Canada. Originally located in a small warehouse in Gastown, Williams built 495 Railway Street for $8,000 and flourished here for at least 50 years. It is now home to Bocci, makers of the ubiquitous glass globes used in lighting projects around the world. (1920 photograph from Vancouver City Archives).

This 1911 photo shows a couple walking on Waterloo Street toward the streetcar line on 4th Avenue.
(1911 photo from Vancouver photo Archives).

This 1927 apartment building at 1311 Beach Ave was designed by Townley and Matheson. Although its unique look stands out in the West End neighbourhood, the Tudor affectations are really just an added cosmetic design to an otherwise bland apartment block. A  post-modern tower was added in the late 1980s and the interior was extensively remodeled, retaining the exterior facade. Nowadays a luxury unit in this building will run you about $1,300 per square foot. (1928 photo from Vancouver City Archives).

In 1919 the building at 1295 Seymour Street was a truck dealership, which lasted until around 1932, when it became a tire repair garage.  There were other tenants over the years, but in 2008 it became a Shoppers Drug Mart. The famous Vancouver nightclub Luv-A-Fair lived next door until 2003.  (1920 photo from Vancouver Photo Archives).

Built in 1910, the Beaconsfield at 884 Bute Street is one of the West End's first apartment buildings.  It's exterior courtyard runs deep into the middle of the structure, providing light and air circulation to all rooms. The 39-suite building cost $85,000 to build, and was recently offered for sale for $26,000,000. (1910 Major Matthews photograph from Vancouver City Archives). 

This building at 314 West Hastings Street is often mistaken for an old movie theatre, but it was actually built in 1948 specifically for Tip Top Tailors.  The interior of the store was just as striking as the unique exterior, often using catwalks to stage fashion shows. Surprisingly, the building went up for sale a mere six years after it was built, and has had a variety of tenants ever since. Current plans are to redevelop the block for rental apartments, while preserving the look of some of the original buildings, including Tip Top's curved aluminum façade. (1949 photo from Vancouver Photo Archives). 

Like its neighbour the Yale Hotel down the street, this old timer has stood on the corner of Davie and Granville since 1889, when it was known as the Golden Gate Hotel. It has gone through several ownership changes over the years,  and for a while was known as the Tourist Hotel. In 1920 the hotel was converted to apartments, and remains that way today, with the Two Parrots Bar and Grill operating on the main floor. (1910-ish photograph from Vancouver City Archives). 

Built in 1908 by R.D. Rorison, a prominent real estate developer who bought the English Bay Cannery, tore it down and built this house for himself. It's in the heart of Kitsilano, just blocks from West 4th, the hippie capital of Canada in the 1960s. The Peace House, as it became known, was a popular crash pad used by the Grateful Dead, Ginger Baker, and Timothy Leary, among others.