Exploring Vancouver

Vancouver Heritage Foundation's final brown bag lunch happens this Wednesday November 21st. 

Harold Kalman will be speaking about his recent book Exploring Vancouver and the process of selecting buildings for inclusion. Robin Ward is the co-author.

Pictured above are the three previous editions of the book, published in 1974, 1978 and 1993 as well as the 2012 one. 

Though the 2012 edition is the most robust, each edition bears revisiting as they all have varied lists of building profiles, reflecting their respective eras.

After photographing the first two editions and skipping out on the third, John Roaf is back for the latest.

The talk happens at BCIT's Downtown Campus from 12 noon to 1:30pm. Register here.

Safeway Comes Down

A few photos of one of Vancouver's rapidly disappearing group of glulam supermarket specials. This is the Safeway at Granville at 70th that was recently razed to make way for redevelopment.

The building was designed by Frank Roy in 1966 and featured a massive glulam structure, held up by metal columns, that was ideal for an open plan and broad supermarket isles. A curtain wall on the front brought ample light into the store. 

It was listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register with a Class A, Primary Significance designation and on Canada's Historic Places.

During the 1960's, Safeway designed a number of these signature stores, almost all of which are now gone (IGA on West Broadway) or altered beyond recognition (Safeway on West 4th Avenue). 

The redeveloped site is designed by Henriquez Partners Architects and will include two residential towers and a new Safeway store.

Vancouver Curio: Pratt by Archer

A recent find: a portrait of Ned Pratt by Vancouver photographer Tony Archer.

Judging by Pratt's clothes and age, it likely dates from the early-mid 1960's.

Tony Archer was a Vancouver photographer active from the late 1940's until the early 1970's. During that time he photographed many business and political leaders, as well as the city's architecture. As it turns out, he also photographed Barry Downs' parents CBK Van Norman-designed home.

Archer retired in 1972, sold the business to Stephen Miller and David Olds and donated his pre-1960 negatives to Archives Canada. His post-1960's negatives were later donated there as well.

This particular print measures roughly 12"x18" and has been unfortunately laminated. It is signed by Archer on the print and by Pratt on the matte. 

Block 51 + UN Habitat Forum

A last minute heads up for two events tonight:

The second of two public consultations on the future of Block 51 - the site of the Vancouver Art Gallery - is taking place at the gallery. Discussions will centre around the significance of the North Plaza and the 800-block of Robson Street.

The plaza is slated for redevelopment and the city is considering closing down the block of Robson Street permanently to vehicle traffic, in response to the success of the Olympics and past closures like Pop Rocks and Picnurbia.

Also happening tonight: a talk by Vancouver writer Lindsay Brown on the city's 1976 UN Habitat Forum.

Brown is currently finishing up a book on the event and will explore some of that history, along with archival photos, at the Goldcorp Centre For the Arts.

Downs + Pullan

Read Canadian Architect's excerpt of Barry Downs' insightful essay on Selwyn Pullan.