[entheosfog]

Hastings Street is a major street that runs east-west through mostly east Vancouver and Burnaby but also downtown. I concentrated on Hastings from Burrard downtown to Gore, which is in the Downtown Eastside, as shown on the map. I wanted this photo tour to not concentrate on the poverty and drug addiction that has riddled much of Hastings, but on the architecture and fabulous potential the area has. Enjoy!
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/hastingscopy.jpg?t=1213590316

The lovely Marine Building, finished in 1930, is an Art Deco gem and pretty much terminates Hastings as a major street. It continues on for a few blocks as a one-lane street:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6953.jpg?t=1213581614

The Vancouver Club:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6954.jpg?t=1213582612

Another shot of the Marine Building:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6956.jpg?t=1213582690

A newer building on West Hastings:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6957.jpg?t=1213582791

Three different eras of architecture:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6958.jpg?t=1213582815

Brutalist? I love it though!
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6959.jpg?t=1213583003

Some old facades are beind the hording that will be incorporated into a new tower beside the old building in the picture:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6960.jpg?t=1213583064

And a rendereing of said building:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6961.jpg?t=1213583203

Some Chicago-style architecture if I'm not mistaken:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6962.jpg?t=1213583230

A couple old gems line this block. From the left is The Winch Building, The Federal Building and the former Eaton's Building. That tower is Harbour Centre, Vancouver's version of the Space Needle:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6963.jpg?t=1213583261

Entrance to the Winch Building:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6965.jpg?t=1213584309

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6966.jpg?t=1213584289

Canada Line Sky Train subway construction. That's Hastings Street that crosses over top:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6967.jpg?t=1213584329

Bank of Commerce Building, occupied by Birks Jewlers:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6969.jpg?t=1213584392

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6970.jpg?t=1213584453

New & old:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6971.jpg?t=1213584469

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6972.jpg?t=1213584496

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6973.jpg?t=1213584515

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6974.jpg?t=1213584532

I bet there's a nice old building hiding under that hideous metal:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6975.jpg?t=1213584550

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6976.jpg?t=1213584588

Recently repainted:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6977.jpg?t=1213584609

Looking back down Hastings, towards the West:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6978.jpg?t=1213584631

Looking East down Hastings. That building under construction is the Woodward's development which is expecting to jumpstart a revitalization to the Downtown Eastside:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6979.jpg?t=1213584687

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6980.jpg?t=1213584782

The wonderful Dominion Building which at one point, was the tallest in the British Emprire:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6987.jpg?t=1213584823

Another look up at the Dominion Building:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6985.jpg?t=1213584868

Ground-level of the Dominion Building:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6981.jpg?t=1213584901

Victory Square Park:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6982.jpg?t=1213584930

The building in the forground is the newly restored Flack Building, with the Woodwards tower looming overtop:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6983.jpg?t=1213584991

Entrance to the Flack which had been covered up from past bad renos. Too bad it's already graffitied...grrr:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6990.jpg?t=1213585058

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6984.jpg?t=1213585633

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6988.jpg?t=1213585661

Looking West again:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6989.jpg?t=1213585683

Ground level of the Woodward's project:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6991.jpg?t=1213585709

One of the only older buildings in decent shape in the area:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6992.jpg?t=1213585737

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6993.jpg?t=1213585786

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6994.jpg?t=1213585800

The original building of the Woodward's department store (the rest was imploded) will be restored:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6995.jpg?t=1213585813

Old ghost sign:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6996.jpg?t=1213585872

More Woodward's retail, just off Hastings:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6997-1.jpg?t=1213585892

The Woodward's tower, taken from Cordova, the next street North of Hastings:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7001-1.jpg?t=1213585918

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7002.jpg?t=1213585971

An abandoned building used to stand here but caught fire in the winter. Hopefully there are plans to fill in the gap:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7003.jpg?t=1213585985

Some new construction along Pender, the next block South of Hastings:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7004.jpg?t=1213586050

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7006.jpg?t=1213586084

Save-On Meats:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7007.jpg?t=1213586097

This blue Army & Navy Building at one point was an ornate Edwardian building:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7008.jpg?t=1213586134

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7009.jpg?t=1213586921

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7010.jpg?t=1213586940

Pigeon Park:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7011.jpg?t=1213586966

Looking East down Hastings from Carral:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7012.jpg?t=1213586983

Another look at Pigeon Park:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7013.jpg?t=1213587046

The building on the right is undergoing a restoration which includes adding the cupola on the corner once again:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7014.jpg?t=1213587075

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7015.jpg?t=1213587131

Some wonderful old neon signs still dot the streets:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7016.jpg?t=1213587148

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7017.jpg?t=1213587176

Some new construction on Hastings:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7018.jpg?t=1213587199

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7019.jpg?t=1213587222

Facing East up Hastings:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7020.jpg?t=1213587257

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7021.jpg?t=1213587288

One of Vancouver's oldest wood commercial buildings, built after the 1886 great fire:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7022.jpg?t=1213587302

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7023.jpg?t=1213587756

Former vacant lot turned into a community garden:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7024.jpg?t=1213587775

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7025.jpg?t=1213587800

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7026.jpg?t=1213587813

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7027.jpg?t=1213587826

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7028.jpg?t=1213587839

At the corner of Hastings & Main:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7029.jpg?t=1213587853

Another Splendid sign:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7030.jpg?t=1213587876

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7031.jpg?t=1213587931

The pink-ish lower rise building is the Pantages Theatre which will be undergoing restoration:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7032.jpg?t=1213587946

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7033.jpg?t=1213588003

Hastings & Main again:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7034.jpg?t=1213588018

The Carnegie Centre, also at Hasting & Main now houses a community centre for the Downtown Eastside:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7035.jpg?t=1213588038

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7036.jpg?t=1213588086

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7037.jpg?t=1213588101

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7038.jpg?t=1213588114

The Ovaltine Cafe, another Vancouver institution:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7039.jpg?t=1213588129

And has a great sign out front:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7041.jpg?t=1213588166

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7042.jpg?t=1213588191

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7043.jpg?t=1213588204

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7044.jpg?t=1213588223

Looking further east up Hastings:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7040.jpg?t=1213588159

[Architype]

Nice pics, uhm, my thread almost starts where your's left off, but it's very different.

You did a great job on the pics of this wonderfully photogenic area. :tup:

[Jimby]

What a great thread and what a great collection of vintage architecture. It would be nice to see these old buildings restored, but not necessarily gentrified. It would be a tragedy if they all got bulldozed for shiny new condos or something.

[wisla_krakow]

I'm really glad that Hastings is being gentrified. hopefully it will truly have it's old class back.

[vanman]

Great tour! The downtown eastside looks almost inviting in those pics.
Regarding the Flack building I think it is retarded that they built that intricate archway so low not only does it look weird and out of proportion but it is in easy reach of vandals as well. They'll probably have to repaint it at least every month.

[fever]

that was beautiful. thank you

[raggedy13]

Awesome thread. I love all the old architecture in that area. It is a real shame it has been neglected for so long. Luckily it is finally starting to get some love.

[MolsonExport]

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6994.jpg?t=1213585800
^ Ahhh, the lap of luxury. The good ol' golden crown hotel.

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF7026.jpg?t=1213587813
^I once got into a fight in the seedy bar at the bottom of the Balmoral Hotel.


Thanks for this wonderfully themed thread!

[spyguy]

Great tour and lots of potential for those older buildings.

[OhioGuy]

Some really great old brick buildings. It's a nice contrast to the glassy highrise condos that tend to populate downtown Vancouver, particularly the False Creek area.

[crazyjoeda]

The downtown eastside could be one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the city. The area is getting a bit better but there is a lot that needs to be done. The problem with the downtown eastside is the concentration of social housing, Metro Vancouver actually needs more social housing but having all of it in one neighborhood has created a ghetto. Also if you walk around the downtown eastside you will notice that many of the people on the streets need more help than just a roof over their heads.

The wonderful Dominion Building which at one point, was the tallest in the British Emprire
Interestingly if you were to look to the south east you would see the building that took that record away just two years later, The Sun Tower.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Vancouver_Sun_Tower.jpg
The Sun Tower in Vancouver. Photographed by Zhatt on June 28, 2005.

[Complex01]

That is great. Very good tour, one of the best of Vancouver...

:yes:

[KitchenerBitcher]

Wanna know something crazy? The first time I heard about Hastings St. in Vancouver was in grade nine health class, when we watched a shocking documentary about the drug addiction there. That video was likely from the eighties or something though. Looks like there is a nice mix of developments going on in the area.

[smArTaLlone]

Very cool tour!

[giallo]

Great rep of Vancouver's lesser known older stock. There are so many gems throughout Hastings St.

[VivaLFuego]

I love Vancouver. Probably my #2 favorite city.

So much potential in that neighborhood. When I walked through there a year ago, I was struck by how many heroine addicts there were. Still a long ways to go, but it's so close to the nice areas that it's just a matter of time.

In some ways, it's alot like Chicago's Uptown neighborhood.

[jodelli]

Interestingly if you were to look to the south east you would see the building that took that record away just two years later, The Sun Tower.


That Sun Tower on Pender is one of my favourite buildings, as is the Marine Bldg at Burrarrd St. also shown here.

Anyone here seen Dead Like Me, when they are perched on the dome of a building in 'Seattle'? That's the Sun Tower.

Edit> There were at least three separate shots of characters perched on buildings. One of them had Granville Square in the background, and another looked like it was shot near Pender and Seymour, although there could have been CGI involved.

[entheosfog]

:previous: Thanks for the comments everyone!
It will be really interesting to see what happens to this area in the coming years, especially leading up to the Olympics. The area has so much potential, something has to be done to revitalize it, but it is unique in that so many social agencies are concentrated in the area. I hope much of the character in the architecture and street scape potential can be realized without 'clear cutting'.

[krazycanuck]

Unfortunately, Vancouver's DTES is in such huge social crisis. I have visited some pretty shady neighbourhoods in Chicago, Metro LA and NYC...but driving down Hastings after dark is shocking. I don't think anyone can really understand how bad the situation is, until you see it yourself, the numbers of homeless and addicts are mindboggling...sidewalks looking like some sort of post apocalyptic zombie movie.

Despite some great building stock, it would take a massive redevelopment of the whole area and a whole plan of moving social services and housing around Metro Vancouver for that Island of Blight to improve.

Given Vancouver's liberal attitude and a laissez faire approach to drug issues, I don't see much hope for area improvement.

[the dude]

love the grit. let's enjoy it while we can.

[Pinion]

Wanna know something crazy? The first time I heard about Hastings St. in Vancouver was in grade nine health class, when we watched a shocking documentary about the drug addiction there. That video was likely from the eighties or something though. Looks like there is a nice mix of developments going on in the area.

Nothing crazy about that at all. It's a lot worse there now than it was in the 80s. I'm actually amazed at how the OP made the neighbourhood look somewhat decent - mostly by keeping the camera shot just above the masses of addicts roaming the streets or at least shooting them from far away so you can't see how close to death they really are.

I work security on Hastings and it's hell on earth.

[staff]

Great tour of what seems like an architecturally stunning road. Vancouver has some nice (and tall) gems of old!

[flar]

Wow, lots of really nice old buildings there.

[denveraztec]

Wonderful tour! So glad to see the historic structures still in use.

[vanman]

Given Vancouver's liberal attitude and a laissez faire approach to drug issues, I don't see much hope for area improvement.


Well you obviously haven't been there in awhile. There is a ton of redevelopment going on currently in the area. The price of land in Vancouver is so high that developers realize they can no longer ignore the area. And people have shown that they are willing to live there. New condo units in the downtown eastide get snapped up just as fast as anywhere else in the city (Woodwards 500+units sold out in record time). People can see the great potential of the neighborhood. Within 5 years I'm confident it will be a much different place.

[crazyjoeda]

^ I agree. I have walked around that area a number of times and it really isn't that bad. The area will be redeveloped, but I am slightly concerned about how because it would be tragic if the area became another Yaletown. The DTES has a lot of history and ethnic neighborhoods that must be preserved. The open hard drug, panhandling and street people have to go but the area needs more affordable housing.

[agrant]

Unfortunately, Vancouver's DTES is in such huge social crisis. I have visited some pretty shady neighbourhoods in Chicago, Metro LA and NYC...but driving down Hastings after dark is shocking. I don't think anyone can really understand how bad the situation is, until you see it yourself, the numbers of homeless and addicts are mindboggling...sidewalks looking like some sort of post apocalyptic zombie movie. Driving at night? It's the same during the day, except add some non-zombies.

[Coldrsx]

i love east hastings architecture and whilst living in van frequently walked it...even at night. It really isnt that dangerous and you can actually have some very good conversations with different sorts of people there.

I hope it is renewed but with a very sensitive brush, for it has the opportunity to preserve, enhance, teach, and give in every sense of the word back to the city of Vancouver and its people.

[entheosfog]

i love east hastings architecture and whilst living in van frequently walked it...even at night. It really isnt that dangerous and you can actually have some very good conversations with different sorts of people there.


I totally agree. I used to work in the neighbourhood and I walked through it all the time. I never felt threatened or scared. Just depressed. It's not a violent type of place at all but the winds of change are starting to blow through...

[MolsonExport]

along certain stretches of East Hastings, the term "Zombies" to describe the people clustering is entirely appropriate. Truly one of the scarier parts of Canada. I've walked/rollerbladed through the area many times. Never really threatened, but accosted by panhandlers/glazed-eyed prostitutes every 10 feet. Peer into any adjacent alleyway...you WILL see people self-injecting.

[davefyvie]

Unlike Calgary, Vancouver embraces its monuments. Nice to see the weather cooperated!

[krazycanuck]

Well you obviously haven't been there in awhile. There is a ton of redevelopment going on currently in the area. The price of land in Vancouver is so high that developers realize they can no longer ignore the area. And people have shown that they are willing to live there. New condo units in the downtown eastide get snapped up just as fast as anywhere else in the city (Woodwards 500+units sold out in record time). People can see the great potential of the neighborhood. Within 5 years I'm confident it will be a much different place.

I was there in early March, and while yes I did notice that Woodwards development, how much of that area is taken up by social agencies as well as extremely low income housing. Vancouver (for good or for bad) doesn't seem like the kind of city to allow people to be displaced for the sake of development.

The big question is, if the whole area is redeveloped and social agencies and the low income housing are moved....where do the junkies go? When any other city has gone through a big redevelopment they have never had the massive numbers of homeless/addicts concentrated in one area like Vancouver does.

[excel]

great thread, thanks.

[10101000]

IMPRESSIVE looks like a great place to live.

[vanman]

I was there in early March, and while yes I did notice that Woodwards development, how much of that area is taken up by social agencies as well as extremely low income housing. Vancouver (for good or for bad) doesn't seem like the kind of city to allow people to be displaced for the sake of development.

The big question is, if the whole area is redeveloped and social agencies and the low income housing are moved....where do the junkies go? When any other city has gone through a big redevelopment they have never had the massive numbers of homeless/addicts concentrated in one area like Vancouver does.

I never meant to imply that redevelopment would be the only solution to the DE's complex array of issues, a multi pronged approach with the help of all levels of government is the only thing that will ever turn the neighborhood around. This is what is now finally starting to take place.

[Pinion]

i love east hastings architecture and whilst living in van frequently walked it...even at night. It really isnt that dangerous and you can actually have some very good conversations with different sorts of people there.

I agree it isn't dangerous to walk through. It's relatively safe considering the desperate level of poverty - I've never understood why Vancouver homeless/addicts aren't as hostile as other cities. But that doesn't make the scale of despair/hopelessness any less horrifying.

I really want to go through and take photos one day. Real photos of the people there. Though that might make the locals a little more hostile.

[aaron38]

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/whereismymind2007/DSCF6990.jpg?t=1213585058

I guess the drugies aren't quite ready to move on just yet. Nice to see they have a sense of humor about their addiction though. They say acceptance is the first step...

[Evo5Boise]

What an amazing city.

[entheosfog]

Unlike Calgary, Vancouver embraces its monuments. Nice to see the weather cooperated!

It was such a beautiful sunny day! It's been overcast a lot lately so I got lucky.

Many grand old buildings in Vancouver have disappeared but the difference is Van started recognizing the value in heritage preservation earlier than Calgary. And with old buildings and history in that respect, you only get one chance. Living in both cities, that's my take at least.

[wanchai888]

Thanks a lot for the interesting tour!

[danby]

Impressive i love how you really focused on the good rather then bad as much do.

[entheosfog]

Impressive i love how you really focused on the good rather then bad as much do.

Thanks! That was my intention from the beginning as we've all seen many pics of how bad the area is, why not some good points about the 'hood?

[whatsthepoint13]

ive always been intreagued by the density and beauty of Vancouver