What's New

 This towering Main Street landmark was originally built in 1915 as the south Vancouver post office. Its ornate (by Vancouver standards) design is described in detail here. The original photo was taken from above street level, so the shots don't line up as well as some of the others. 

 Well, the fancy cornice is gone and has been replaced by a looming crane, with others in the background. They're everywhere! But this old beauty isn't going anywhere. Here's some background information on the owner, the builder, and its evolution to a co-op; a well-managed one by the looks of things. (1912 Major Matthews photo from Vancouver City Archives).

Built in 1929, this building is on the heritage watch list, as it has some architectural significance. Unfortunately its future has been the subject of some debate, as it sits on city-owned land that has been rezoned to increase density. The Annex is now slated to be relocated and a 12-storey office building will be built behind it. (1930 Stuart Thompson photo from Vancouver City Archives).

 You have to look pretty hard to see this 100-year-old house peeking over the shops on Granville Street. The website Vancouver As It Was tells an interesting story about feuding bookstores in the neighbourhood back when this picture was taken. (1928 photo from Vancouver City Archives).

 It wasn't long ago that Granville Island was nothing more than an oil-soaked shanty town full of decrepit warehouses hidden under the Granville Bridge. I remember driving there in the early 1980s and getting stuck in the mud. Now it's one of the city's most popular destinations for both locals and tourists. Many old buildings remain, like this one. and there are some pretty exciting plans for the future.

 Originally a funeral home, and a big one at that. I'm not sure what the top two floors are now, but the street level is a fancy women's clothing store.  (1930 photo from Vancouver City Archives).

 Built in 1925, still going strong. One of several well-preserved old apartment buildings in the South Granville neighbourhood. Surprisingly, the Renfrew is not on the heritage register. 

 This is the rear of Point Grey Pharmacy, at 10th and Trimble. There are a number of papered-over windows on 10th Ave., which leads me to wonder how much longer this building will last. The pharmacy is now a couple of blocks west on 10th. 

 This busy corner of the city has gone from selling furs, stationery and moving services to tacos for stoners. The old parking garage that was recently here is being replaced by a 30-storey office tower.  (1926 photo from Vancouver City Archives).

 There are a number of buildings appearing in both pictures, including the imposing World Building in the background. The green-domed structure is also called the Sun Tower, and for a couple of years laid claim to being the tallest building in the British Empire, boasting an impressive 17 floors. These days it seems to be in a constant state of repair (not surprising given its age and extreme vertical-ness). (1927 photo from Vancouver City Archives).