The future of the Hudson's Bay flagship building at Granville and Georgia in downtown Vancouver is a little precarious as of right now, thanks to a new owner and unclear plans for the space.
While HBC, parent company of Hudson's Bay, is selling the 650,000 square-foot property, there is still going to be a Bay there, however it maybe limited to just the first four floors, with the top two floors going to co-working business WeWork. As long as the building's heritage elements are preserved on the exterior, i.e. the Corinthian columns and terra cotta facade, the new landowner could opt to build additional floors and make it a multi-use building.
Exterior, Hudson’s Bay Company, Granville and Georgia, 1931 (Vancouver Archives)
The Hudson's Bay Company has been at Granville and Georgia since 1893, though not in the same building. Their initial building was first modified in the late 1920s, but since then has had the same structure, with some modifications.
The interior has also had many changes over the years, though numerous elements have remain unchanged. As Business In Vancouver reports, the interior does pose some issues in terms of its condition: "That building is in terrible shape," Retail Insider Media owner Craig Patterson told BIV. "They need to do anything they can to fix [the elevators.]"
Though luxury department stores like Holt Renfrew and Nordstrom have a significant presence in downtown Vancouver, the Bay is definitely not what it used to be. You may not have been in there in years, but chances are you weren't in there in 1931, when these photos found the Vancouver Archives were taken.
Here is what the Hudson's Bay Vancouver flagship department store looked like in 1931.
Hudson’s Bay Company –cafeteria/interior of store at 674 Granville Street (Vancouver Archives)
Hudson Bay jewellery department, Oct. 8, 1931 (Vancouver Archives)
Hudson’s Bay linen department, Oct. 8, 1931 (Vancouver Archives)
Hudson’s Bay china department, Oct. 8, 1931 (Vancouver Archives)
Hudson’s Bay Grocery department, Oct. 8, 1931 (Vancouver Archives)
Hudson’s Bay restaurant dining room (Vancouver Archives)
Hudson’s Bay women’s clothing, 1931 (Vancouver Archives)
The Campus Clothes Shop at the Bay, 1931 (Vancouver Archives)
Hudson’s Bay carpet department, 1931 (Vancouver Archives)
Hudson’s Bay children’s wear, 1931 (Vancouver Archives)
Hudson’s Bay furniture department, 1931 (Vancouver Archives)
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