The Heritage Vancouver Society recently released its top 10 endangered heritage sites in the city. The organization is dedicated to creating a future for Vancouvers heritage legacy and will be actively involved in development plans and other community initiatives.
1. Forest Education Centre: VanDusen Botanical Garden
Built in 1976, it was originally known as MacMillan-Bloedel Place. Its educational displays, including a 50-seat theatre, were called A Walk in the Forest. The Park Board has plans to demolish or abandon the building.
2. The East Hastings Corridor: Vancouvers Historic High Street
With more than 25 development projects undertaken or in the process of being completed, the East Hastings Corridor has experienced immense development. Numerous properties are unprotected.
3. The Main Post Office
The opening of the Main Post Office in 1958 marked the beginning of Vancouvers development as a regional centre in the postwar era. It was recently sold and no plans have been announced.
4. Vancouver schools
The Cecil Rhodes Public School building, known since 1977 as lEcole Bilingue, has recently been condemned to seismic replacement.
5. Delamont Park
This unique collection of 22 city-owned pre-WWI houses, plus several privately owned residences, forms Kitsilanos oldest predominantly intact neighbourhood. Its land is owned by CP Rail.
6. St. Pauls Hospital historic Burrard Building
The historic Burrard Building at St Pauls Hospital is in a state of decay. Though the Provincial Government has indicated support for redevelopment, it has not advanced any capital funds.
7. The Waldorf Hotel
The sale of the Waldorf Hotel, and freeze on demolition, created recent buzz. However its fate remains unknown as it lacks heritage protection.
8. West End heritage
The historic buildings and heritage character of the West End are under threat of demolition.
9. Shaughnessy
The growing popularity to build your own dream home has the potential to overtake Shaughnessys heritage character homes.
10. Downtown Granville Street
The character of the streetscape along downtowns Granville Street continues to be threatened by development pressure.
