What's New

Dawson Building
added January 25, 2021
Dawson Building
When it was built in 1911, the Dawson Building towered over its neighbours at Hastings and Main. It was named after George Dawson, who built and operated canneries throughout the province. It's now called the Ford Building and provides housing for low income residents.  

Carnegie Library
added January 25, 2021
Carnegie Library
In 1901 American Industrialist Andrew Carnegie gave the city $50,000 to replace our library that had been destroyed in the Great Fire.  The building was made from Indian Arm granite and Gabriola Island sandstone, and cost over 2 million dollars. Nowadays it operates as the 'living room' for the downtown East Side, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Canada. 

Yale Hotel
added January 22, 2021
Yale Hotel
This is one of Vancouver's oldest surviving buildings. Completed in 1889, the Yale served as the main source of nightlife for the blue collar workers in Yaletown at the turn of the century. Although it was a long way from downtown Vancouver when it was built, the new streetcar line connected it to Cordova Street and the CP train terminal. Over the years it became famous as a blues venue, and currently has a western theme.  

UEL Administration Building
added January 22, 2021
UEL Administration Building
Administrative offices for the University Endowment Lands, an unincorporated neighbourhood near UBC.   

Wing Sang Building
added January 20, 2021
Wing Sang Building
(This is a second view of the building, after the addition was competed in 1901. The older photo can be found here).
Yip Sang was a rags-to-riches immigrant who built 51 East Pender Street in 1889, shortly after the fire that levelled Gastown. The Wing Sang Company was a going concern in the early 1900s, providing labour to the railway, and importing rice, silk and opium, among other ventures. When Yip died in 1927, his company had extensive real estate holdings throughout the city. This building is the oldest in Chinatown, and now houses Bob Rennie's extensive art collection

Wing Sang Building
added January 19, 2021
Wing Sang Building
Yip Sang was a rags-to-riches immigrant who built 51 East Pender Street in 1889, shortly after the fire that levelled Gastown. The Wing Sang Company was a going concern in the early 1900s, providing labour to the railway, and importing rice, silk and opium, among other ventures. When Yip died in 1927, his company had extensive real estate holdings throughout the city. This building is the oldest in Chinatown, and now houses Bob Rennie's extensive art collection

Columbia House
added January 19, 2021
Columbia House
Originally built as a warehouse in 1910 (there is an extensive description of its history and occupants here), the building was converted to affordable housing in 1986.  

Vernon Motors
added January 18, 2021
Vernon Motors
Jim Vernon opened this used car dealership on Commercial Drive in 1946. Years later he moved it to 12th and Kingsway, where he ran it until 1960. After shutting down the car dealership he built the Biltmore Hotel on the property, and ran it until 1979. 

Odd Fellows Grandview Branch
added January 18, 2021
Odd Fellows Grandview Branch
Built in 1922, this Oddfellows branch became a Chinese Mennonite Church in 1981

835 Beatty Street
added January 17, 2021
835 Beatty Street
Anglo Canadian Warehouse employees pose for a photograph before heading off for a picnic in 1925.  The building was completed in 1914

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