Vogue Theatre Restored but its Curtains for the Pantages

[whatnext]

Two great articles from the Sun. I'm glad to see the Vogue back, I remember lining up to see Star Wars there But its truly sad about the Pantages and unforgivable the way the Vision council torpedoed that proposal. While the Vogue adds to Granville, a restored Pantages could really have helped pull the DTES into a better place.


Its Curtains for the Pantages

Art Deco Gem Back in Vogue

[BCPhil]

That's pathetic in regard to the Pantages, letting a major Canadian historical site degrade to the point of needing to be torn down. It's a wonder we have any historical buildings or heritage in this city at all sometimes with the way we treat our sites with contempt and ennui. It sickens me that too many people don't seem to care at all about western Canadian history or heritage.

[racc]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Two great articles from the Sun. I'm glad to see the Vogue back, I remember lining up to see Star Wars there But its truly sad about the Pantages and unforgivable the way the Vision council torpedoed that proposal. While the Vogue adds to Granville, a restored Pantages could really have helped pull the DTES into a better place.


Its Curtains for the Pantages

Art Deco Gem Back in Vogue

Well, it was previous councils that let it fall into such despair that the city would have to give up millions in density bonuses to restore it. For example, the article mentioned Judy Rodgers as not being supportive.

[itinerant]

I was involved peripherally at a very early stage in the Pantages project, and I visited the theatre before stabilisation was started and before the roof opened it up to the elements this last time. The people involved worked extremely hard to get this project going and the developer was basically bending over backwards to make it an attractive proposal for everyone concerned. They were looking for relatively small support from the city (financially and by way of endorsement), but it was not forthcoming. It is extremely unfortunate and sadly says a lot about the city's inconsistent performance with respect to supporting the arts and heritage.

There are many worthy projects, and only so much money to go around, but when a developer wades smack into the middle of the worst neighbourhood in Canada with a good proposal to lift it up with a healthy mix of cultural amenity, market husing and non-market community housing--that's just depressing.

[BCPhil]

Originally Posted by itinerant

I was involved peripherally at a very early stage in the Pantages project, and I visited the theatre before stabilisation was started and before the roof opened it up to the elements this last time. The people involved worked extremely hard to get this project going and the developer was basically bending over backwards to make it an attractive proposal for everyone concerned. They were looking for relatively small support from the city (financially and by way of endorsement), but it was not forthcoming. It is extremely unfortunate and sadly says a lot about the city's inconsistent performance with respect to supporting the arts and heritage.

There are many worthy projects, and only so much money to go around, but when a developer wades smack into the middle of the worst neighbourhood in Canada with a good proposal to lift it up with a healthy mix of cultural amenity, market husing and non-market community housing--that's just depressing.

Yeah, it's like we WANT to keep the DTES the way it is; when an opportunity to do something positive comes by, it's not taken seriously, especially if it has a significant contribution from the private sector (they're always up to no good, I guess?). Look how long Woodwards took to get off the ground.

It would have been a great fringe theater and could have done the area some good, seeing as hipsters and scenesters aren't that scared of venturing into the DTES for some nightlife. And it's not everyday an opportunity comes along to save a building that is over 100 years old in this city.

P.S. it probably would have been a great Set for movie/tv productions as almost every production seems to visit the Orpheum or Vogue.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by itinerant

I was involved peripherally at a very early stage in the Pantages project, and I visited the theatre before stabilisation was started and before the roof opened it up to the elements this last time. The people involved worked extremely hard to get this project going and the developer was basically bending over backwards to make it an attractive proposal for everyone concerned. They were looking for relatively small support from the city (financially and by way of endorsement), but it was not forthcoming. It is extremely unfortunate and sadly says a lot about the city's inconsistent performance with respect to supporting the arts and heritage.

There are many worthy projects, and only so much money to go around, but when a developer wades smack into the middle of the worst neighbourhood in Canada with a good proposal to lift it up with a healthy mix of cultural amenity, market husing and non-market community housing--that's just depressing.

Thanks for the inside scoop. You're right, its really frustrating to see this fall through when there was support from the private sector and I believe a couple arts organizations ready to move in. Once something like this is gone, its gone forever.

[djh]

Where is Judy Rogers now?

[jlousa]

I'm sad to see the Pantages theatre end this way, but the last proposal to save it was never going to happen. The developer was asking for an obscene amount of density from the city. I fully understand that it would've taken a lot of money to save it even at that time but pretty well the developer was expecting the city to underwrite the whole cost, that just wasn't going to happen nor should've it. Ideally we would've seen a philanthropist step up and save it but that never occurred.

[eduardo88]

are there any pictures of the renovated interior?

[Prometheus]

According to the pictures on The Vancouver Sun website, it appears that they are finishing the restoration to the facade. I was getting worried they were not going to do any more work. After the sign had been completed for the Olympics, work on the facade seemed to stop. I am glad to see those horrible yellow/red colours go.

Hopefully, someone else will take some more photos.

I hope the owners of Venue will do something about their peeling facade. It is a shame to do that work on the sign and awning only to have it marred by a dirty, peeling facade that just needs is a bit of paint and design.

That is very sad about the Pantages.

[Rusty Gull]

Originally Posted by BCPhil

That's pathetic in regard to the Pantages, letting a major Canadian historical site degrade to the point of needing to be torn down. It's a wonder we have any historical buildings or heritage in this city at all sometimes with the way we treat our sites with contempt and ennui. It sickens me that too many people don't seem to care at all about western Canadian history or heritage.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by jlousa

I'm sad to see the Pantages theatre end this way, but the last proposal to save it was never going to happen. The developer was asking for an obscene amount of density from the city. I fully understand that it would've taken a lot of money to save it even at that time but pretty well the developer was expecting the city to underwrite the whole cost, that just wasn't going to happen nor should've it. Ideally we would've seen a philanthropist step up and save it but that never occurred.

I'm surprised, I thought you were keen to see the DTES rejuvenate? In normal circumstances I'd agree that it was a big "ask" of the City, but this is special case that could have had exponential benefits for the area (not to mention Vancouver's arts scene). Not surprisingly, I'd rather have had millions go to the Pantages than provide subsidized housing at the Olympic Village for union members.

Vancouver really gives heritage short shrift, which is too bad.

[SpikePhanta]

Why does the guy in the article makes it seem like the Globe theater in London is old, because its merely reconstructed.

I would of liked something done to the site that would make me go to that area of town for a local concert or something.

[jlousa]

I would've loved to have seen it restored, but not at any cost. I also think the city over compensated for the York theatre but that's another matter.
The developer behind the Pantages bid also didn't have the best of reps which did not help matters.
Lets not forgot that we also have a new performance space just down the street.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by BCPhil

Yeah, it's like we WANT to keep the DTES the way it is; when an opportunity to do something positive comes by, it's not taken seriously, especially if it has a significant contribution from the private sector (they're always up to no good, I guess?). Look how long Woodwards took to get off the ground.

It would have been a great fringe theater and could have done the area some good, seeing as hipsters and scenesters aren't that scared of venturing into the DTES for some nightlife. And it's not everyday an opportunity comes along to save a building that is over 100 years old in this city.

P.S. it probably would have been a great Set for movie/tv productions as almost every production seems to visit the Orpheum or Vogue.

they were supposed to film a scene for X-Men 3 there - my friend was an extra and that was the call spot - but it was deemed too dangerous inside - due to rotten wood and the bad condition - so they moved the scene to a church on burrard

water damage over the years has left it pretty much ruined

[Prometheus]

I found a good photo of the Vogue's restored facade: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikef01...06679/sizes/l/

[entheosfog]

Ugh that sucks about the Pantages. Reminds me a little of a certain building left to degrade and rot at Quebec and 2nd
I know, different circumstances, but still embarrassing.
Good news about the Vogue however.

[Taj Mahal Traveller]

I am really upset about the Pantages Theatre on Hastings. How much more historical significance does a cultural space have to have to be worth saving in this stupid town? This case should have gone straight to the federal level (yes, there's money for buying and restoring buildings just like the Pantages, and lots of opportunities for the citizenry to contribute). Instead, the powers that be at City Hall (doesn't matter which party) and a succession of owners posing as philanthropists (while failing to do basic building checks, i.e. is there a leak in the g*ddam roof, especially after all of the previous effort gone into stabilization and restoration) played footsie with each other while the Pantages deteriorated. I know the mass media have rung the death knell, but many buildings in far worse shape have been rescued from oblivion. I don't trust the owner's assessment of the Pantages worth sh*t, anyways.

Moving on to the New York Theatre.... City Hall has sure managed to shower the gifts on the developer this time around, with few strings attached (he can fix up the theatre when he gets around to it). An amazing score, considering the well-known performance space (that would be the VECC or Cultch) "just down the road". A space which just underwent a very lengthy and very expensive renovation.

I call bullsh*t!!!

Yes, I am well and truly pissed off.

[whatnext]

I'm glad to see the York getting restored, but you're right it does rankle to see the more historic Pantages allowed to decay.

Mind you, with the shameful cuts to gaming grants the BC Libs have made to arts & culture organizations, will there be enough groups to make use of these spaces?

[quobobo]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Vancouver really gives heritage short shrift, which is too bad.

Personally I'm pretty happy with this. I'd really rather not have the city involved in any cultural/heritage matters.