THREAT

Threatened with demolition in the 1990s, the fate of the landmark Heather Pavilion once again hangs in the balance. VGH appears to be planning to demolish the venerable granite structure, despite a previous approved rezoning that conferred benefits to VGH in exchange for legal protection of the building.

In 2002, VGH entered into a Heritage Revitalization Agreement to restore the Heather Pavilion. It appears they intend to break that legal agreement.

SIGNIFICANCE

The Heather Pavilion is one of Vancouver’s most significant heritage buildings. It is a landmark Romanesque Revival building, designed by the prominent architectural firm of Grant & Henderson. The 1906 hospital – then the largest and most modern facility in western Canada – was a response to significant growth that occurred during the city’s first two decades. The new hospital became a model for hospital organization and also played a critical role in the development of the nursing profession.

For decades, the original building was hidden behind later additions, only to be re-discovered in the early 1990s. In 1994 when the structure was threatened by VGH redevelopment plans, the Heather Heritage Society was formed to fight for its protection. The campaign came to a successful conclusion in 2002, when the 1906 Heather Pavilion and the 1908 towers of the south addition received municipal designation, in exchange for which VGH received considerable density bonuses and other considerations.

Since that time, later additions have been progressively demolished, revealing more of the original structure which is 90% intact. With legal protection in place in 2002, it was expected that the Heather Pavilion would be restored, adaptively re-used and suitably landscaped as an integral part of the hospital campus, and an important part of Vancouver’s architectural, social and cultural history.

POSITION

The Heather Heritage Society was formed in 1994 to raise awareness and lobby for the protection of the historic Heather Pavilion. The Society was instrumental in the community process that led to the building being designated.

The Heather Heritage Society opposes the removal of the Heather Pavilion designation bylaw.

Heather Heritage Society director Donald Luxton states “This is a disappointing and frankly shocking turn of events. If VGH proceeds with plans for a new rezoning, de-designation, and demolition of the original structure, this would be an unprecedented and tragic loss of one of Vancouver’s most important historic landmarks, and a dangerous precedent for heritage preservation in this city.”

INTERVIEWS

Donald Luxton will be available onsite for interviews on Tuesday, December 9th at 2:00 pm, at the southwest corner of Heather Street and 10th Avenue. Click here for directions.