The Government of Canada Commemorates Vancouver's Gastown Historic District - Canada News Centre The Government of Canada Commemorates Vancouver's Gastown Historic District News Release Article from The Government of Canada Commemorates Vancouver's Gastown Historic District May 17, 2016 Vancouver, British Columbia Parks Canada Agency Gastown Historic District is Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood. The area has been a vital centre to Indigenous Peoples for generations; later the district became important to the economic growth of Western Canada. Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, and Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver, celebrated the area’s historical significance by unveiling a plaque commemorating the designation of Gastown Historic District as a national historic site of Canada. The Gastown Historic District is an exceptional intact urban area of commercial buildings that displays the architectural styles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including a rare harmonious group of buildings in terms of materials, scale and architectural detailing. The area is an example of an early Western Canadian city core and exemplifies the rapid economic growth that was characteristic of the West during that time.

Thanks to the commitment of local organizations intent on protecting the historic fabric of Canada’s urban centres in the 1970s, Gastown is an enduring example of an early locally protected historic district. Gastown is now a popular destination for tourists and local residents alike. As we near the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government invites all Canadians to experience and learn more about our environment and our history. Canada’s national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas enable Canadians to experience their heritage in a special way and will play a big part in the celebration of Canada 150. Quotes “I am very proud to recognize Gastown as a historic site that forms an integral part of our country’s history. Gastown is as diverse and vibrant today as it was a hundred years ago and its story contributes greatly to the tapestry that is Canada.

As we near the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, it is especially important to commemorate important places like Gastown as one way for Canadians to learn more about our rich heritage.” - The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada “Gastown was Vancouver and Western Canada's first economic centre and remains an important historical, cultural and commercial hub for the City on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-waututh First Nations. I'm pleased to commemorate the Gastown Historic District with the Government of Canada so residents and visitors can experience the District with a lens into Vancouver's history, while enjoying the modern and vibrant amenities Gastown has to offer.” - Mayor of Vancouver Quick facts Parks Canada manages a nation-wide network of 168 national historic sites, 46 national parks and four national marine conservation areas. Canada’s national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas belong to all Canadians. They represent the very best that Canada has to offer and tell the stories of who we are, including the history, cultures and contributions of Indigenous Peoples.

Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history. Parks Canada manages a nation-wide network of national historic sites that make up the rich tapestry of Canada’s cultural heritage and which offers visitors the opportunity for real and inspiring discoveries. Related products Gastown recognized as national historic site Provincial posted May 18, 2016 by Alex Soloducha Gastown recognized as national historic site Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood, Gastown Historic District, is finally getting national recognition. On Tuesday, the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, and Vancouver Mayor, Gregor Robertson, unveiled a plaque commemorating the Gastown Historic District and designating the neighbourhood as a national historic site of Canada. “I am very proud to recognize Gastown as a historic site that forms an integral part of our country’s history,” said McKenna. “Gastown is as diverse and vibrant today as it was a hundred years ago and its story contributes greatly to the tapestry that is Canada.

“As we near the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, it is especially important to commemorate important places like Gastown as one way for Canadians to learn more about our rich heritage.” According to the Government of Canada, the area has been a vital centre to Indigenous Peoples for generations, and later helped Western Canada get an economic boost. The Gastown Historic District is an urban area with architecture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It shows of an early Western Canadian city core and how booming the west was at the time. Gastown is now a popular destination for both tourists and locals, thanks to local organizations who stepped up to protect the area’s history starting in the 1970s. “Gastown was Vancouver and Western Canada's first economic centre and remains an important historical, cultural and commercial hub for the City on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-waututh First Nations,” said Robertson.

“I'm pleased to commemorate the Gastown Historic District with the Government of Canada so residents and visitors can experience the District with a lens into Vancouver's history, while enjoying the modern and vibrant amenities Gastown has to offer.” Parks Canada includes 168 national historic sites, 46 national parks and four national marine conservation areas across the country. Vancouver neighbourhood Gastown designated National Historic Site - urbanYVR.com urbanYVR.com Vancouver neighbourhood Gastown designated National Historic Site Historic Gastown designated National Historic Site of Canada May 17, 2016 tweet Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and Environment Minister Catherine McKenna mark Gastown in Vancouver as a National Historic Site. Vancouver neighbourhood Gastown was officially designated a National Historic site of Canada in a ceremony today, attended by Mayor Gregor Robertson and federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna. — Van Mayor's Office (@VanMayorsOffice) May 17, 2016 The popular tourist area, famous for its steam clock, cobblestone streets and restored heritage buildings, has undergone a major transformation that continues to this day. It was only about ten years ago that the area was deteriorating.

Heritage buildings were falling into to disrepair and there were a series of violent incidents at nightclubs in the neighbourhood. Apart from tacky tourist knick-knacks, there weren’t a lot of quality shops or restaurants in the area. A decade later, the neighbourhood is thriving. Millions of dollars have been spent to restore and seismically upgrade heritage buildings. New businesses, restaurants, pubs and services have moved into the neighbourhood. Hundreds of residents are now living in lofts in restored turn-of-the-century warehouses and newer condo projects such as Woodwards. Development on the periphery of the neighbourhood is accelerating, with Railtown, Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside all seeing enhanced interest from businesses and developers. New condo and rental projects in those neighbourhoods will bring hundreds of new residents living in close proximity, supporting local businesses and adding to an already lively patio scene. All this development comes with concern about gentrification and its impacts on the traditionally low-income population of the neighbourhood, as single room occupancy (SRO) housing is renovated and rents increased. However, the City of Vancouver and the province have opened hundreds of new social housing beds in the area in the past five years to help alleviate this pressure.

— ParksCanadaVancouver (@ParksCanadaVan) May 17, 2016 In today’s ceremony, Gastown was cited as an example of an “exceptional intact urban area of commercial buildings that displays the architectural styles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including a rare harmonious group of buildings in terms of materials, scale and architectural detailing. The area is an example of an early Western Canadian city core and exemplifies the rapid economic growth that was characteristic of the West during that time.” A plaque was unveiled in Gaoler’s Mews, now an internal courtyard accessed off either Water or Carrall streets, behind the Coffeebar and Pekinpah restaurant. “I am very proud to recognize Gastown as a historic site that forms an integral part of our country’s history,” said Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.

“Gastown is as diverse and vibrant today as it was a hundred years ago and its story contributes greatly to the tapestry that is Canada.” “Gastown was Western Canada’s first economic centre and remains an important historical, cultural and commercial hub for the city on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-waututh First Nations. I’m pleased to commemorate the Gastown Historic District with the Government of Canada so residents and visitors can experience the District with a lens into Vancouver’s history, while enjoying the modern and vibrant amenities,” said Gregor Roberston, mayor of Vancouver. The area has been a provincially-designated heritage district for many years, but this latest designation for Gastown will offer more protections for the neighbourhood. Now, if the city could just do something to fix all those broken cobblestones on Water Street, the newly-minted National Historic site could get the streetscape it truly deserves. Pleased to commemorate the iconic Gastown Historic District today.

#GastownVancouver @ParksCanada pic.twitter.com/tgp1jfBiot HistoricPlaces.ca - HistoricPlaces.ca Listed on the Canadian Register: 2005/03/07 Statement of Significance Description of Historic Place The Leckie Building is a massive cubic seven-storey Edwardian era warehouse/factory building located at the southeast corner of Cambie and Water Streets in the historic district of Gastown. The first part of the structure was built in 1908 and a large addition to the east was constructed in 1913. Clad in brick and granite, the internal structure of the building is built of massive timber elements. Heritage Value Gastown is the historic core of Vancouver, and is the city's earliest, most historic area of commercial buildings and warehouses. The Leckie Building is representative of the importance of Gastown as the trans-shipment point between the terminus of the railway and Pacific shipping routes, and the consequent expansion of Vancouver into western Canada's predominant commercial centre in the early twentieth century. The massive cubic form, high density, large clear-span floor-plate and notable height of this structure make it a landmark in the area.

One of the largest warehouses built in Gastown, its prominence and size are a clear indication of the growth and prosperity of Vancouver-based J. Leckie and Company Ltd., which supplied footwear to the Canadian Armed Forces in both World Wars, as well as to labourers and civilians in British Columbia and throughout Canada. The 1913 addition on the eastern part of the lot was constructed in response to the business boom that occurred during Gastown's heyday prior to the First World War. The Leckie Building is valued as a significant design by local architects Dalton and Eveleigh. W.T. Dalton (1854-1931) and S.M. Eveleigh (1870-1947) were highly regarded for the quality of their commercial and institutional buildings; they designed both the original 1908 structure and its 1913 addition. The sophisticated use of high quality materials, including an intricate brick pattern, elevates this design beyond a purely utilitarian response to commercial need.

Source: City of Vancouver, Heritage Planning Street Files Character-Defining Elements The character-defining elements of the Leckie Building include: - prominent corner location, in close proximity to the waterfront of Burrard Inlet and the Canadian Pacific Railway yard - siting on the property lines, with no setbacks - massive bulky form and cubic massing as expressed in its seven storey height, flat roof and rectangular plan - Edwardian era design elements, such as the regular fenestration pattern, pilasters and vestigial Classical Revival influence - masonry construction: high-fired pressed brick cladding on the front, west and alley facades, laid consistently in a modified Flemish bond, with single courses of Flemish bond alternating with stretcher courses; common red brick on the east facade; massive rough-dressed granite foundation blocks with tooled red mortar joints; and concrete window sills on the upper levels - corbelled brick cornice - sheet metal elements, such as a cornice above the main floor level and pilaster capitals - elaborate carved granite surrounds at the two main entries on Cambie Street - repetitive use of double-assembly wood-sash casement windows with double and triple transoms - heavy timber-frame structure, visible throughout the interior Recognition Gastown Heritage

 Management Plan Gastown Heritage Management Plan RECOMMENDATIONS A.

THAT the policies and guidelines as described in this report be approved as the Gastown Heritage Management Plan, to be used as the basis for the management of heritage resources in Gastown including the adoption of: i) a vision for heritage management in Gastown; ii) design guidelines for HA-2 (Appendix A); iii) amendments to the Transfer of Density Policy and Procedure (Appendix B); and iv) the BC Heritage Trust Conservation Standards and Rehabilitation Guidelines for sites seeking heritage incentives until the national Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada are finalized at which time the national standards be used. B.

THAT Council approve in principle a five-year incentive program for the redevelopment of heritage buildings in Gastown as a component of the Gastown Heritage Management Plan (and Chinatown for the facade program) as follows: i) Capital Grant Program for Facade Restoration at a cost estimated at $2.5 million; source of funding of $1.5 million for the first three years to be added to the 2003 - 2005 Capital Plan as outlined in this report and $1.0 million to be included in the 2006 - 2008 Capital Plan; ii) Property Tax Exemption Program with financial incentives estimated at $18 million to be provided through property tax exemptions (up to a maximum 10 years) for upgraded buildings, and; iii) Bonus Density for Transfer Off-Site; AND THAT the Director of Current Planning report back to Council with the following: i) details of the incentive program including application procedures, eligible work, and evaluation criteria, and; ii) staffing and budget required to implement and administer the new program.

AND FURTHER THAT the Director of Current Planning prepare an annual report to Council on the activities of the Gastown Heritage Management Plan including the effectiveness of incentives on revitalizing the area and, in conjunction with the Director of the Housing Centre, report on changes in the low-income housing stock and any mitigation measures. C. THAT subject to the approval of Recommendation B, the Gastown Business Improvement Society be given a grant of $5,000 to prepare and deliver an information campaign, including a promotional brochure outlining the opportunities available through the proposed incentive program to be facilitated with all property owners, businesses and residents in Gastown; source of funds to be Contingency Reserve. D. THAT the transfer of heritage designations for Gastown and Chinatown from the Province to the City be supported on the condition the City is not liable for any compensation; AND THAT the Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services be advised that the City supports completion now of procedures required to effect the transfer. E. THAT the Director of Current Planning report back to Council on refining the terms of reference for the Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee (GHAPC) to formally integrate a peer advisory design review process. F.

THAT the Director of Current Planning initiate the nomination process for consideration of Gastown as a National Historic Site by submitting an application to the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board. G. THAT the Mayor, on behalf of Council, write to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Canadian Heritage supporting continued efforts under the Historic Places Initiative and strongly encouraging the implementation of a national incentive program for heritage conservation as soon as possible. AND THAT staff pursue the implementation of national incentives for heritage conservation through the Vancouver Agreement. H. THAT the Director of Current Planning report back to Council on the implications of extending the property tax exemption program and other heritage incentives, as may be applicable, to Chinatown. I. THAT the Director of Current Planning, in consultation with the General Manager of Engineering Services, report back to Council on developing an updated public realm plan for Gastown. J. THAT the Chief Building Official be instructed to report back to Council on the review of requirements for upgrading existing buildings in the Vancouver Building By-law before December 31, 2002. K.

THAT the consultant reports "Gastown Heritage Management Plan" by Ray Spaxman, Robert Lemon, Don Luxton and "Revitalizing Gastown: A Discussion Paper About Priorities and Incentives" by Coriolis Consulting be received for information. GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS The General Manager of Community Services and the Director of Finance support the foregoing noting that this comprehensive approach including financial and other incentives is necessary to address the difficulties that Gastown has faced for several years. COUNCIL POLICY Council recognized the value of conserving the unique heritage precincts of Gastown and Chinatown in 1971, and requested the Province to designate the lands within the areas as historic sites. In 1974, Council adopted the HA-2 Zoning District Schedule for Gastown and established the Historic Area Advisory Board (now Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee) to advise Council.

On July 28, 1998, Council confirmed principles to provide general guidance to actions and planning in the Downtown Eastside, Chinatown, Gastown and Strathcona, which include encouraging legitimate commercial activity, improving conditions at the street level, improving existing SROs, reducing crime, and helping community people to find allies and seek a common future. Council supports heritage conservation through policies and guidelines that allow for relaxations and bonuses when heritage buildings are conserved. Council supported the development of a Gastown Heritage Management Plan and adopted terms of reference for the work in December 1999. SUMMARY AND PURPOSE Over the past two years staff, consultants and the community have been actively working on a program to facilitate the conservation of heritage resources and the economic revitalization of Gastown. Recognizing that current economic conditions are not favourable in the area, the plan calls for administrative and financial incentives to help kick start economic activity through the rehabilitation and enhancement of Gastown's heritage buildings and public realm. The incentives include facade improvement grants, property tax relief, and bonus density as well as a streamlining of administrative incentives including the adoption of design guidelines.

A number of complementary measures and major work items have been or are nearing completion that, in combination with the direction proposed by the Gastown Heritage Management Plan (GHMP), provide an important contribution and comprehensive approach to revitalization efforts for Gastown. BACKGROUND Gastown is the birthplace of Vancouver and contains the city's largest concentration of buildings from the turn of the 20th century. The existing built form of Gastown is a reflectionof its historic development, both in its urban form and streetscape. Buildings vary in width and height, from one to thirteen storeys, with most in the two to four storey range presenting a characteristic "sawtooth" appearance to the block profile. There is a strong historic pattern of architectural compositions and consistent use of materials. In 1971, Gastown and Chinatown were designated as historic areas by the Province and considerable public and private investment occurred in the rehabilitation of buildings and implementation of local street improvements still evident today. Rehabilitation of buildings formerly used for manufacturing and warehousing to retail uses on the ground floor and office or residential in some of the upper storeys was primarily driven by buoyant market conditions.

Since the late 1980s, most projects have required additional density and relaxations to make them viable. In some cases, one and two storey additions were constructed that still respect the scale and character of the heritage buildings, but in other cases additions have been overwhelming and adversely impacted the heritage character. While these additions responded to economic conditions, and were permitted under existing zoning, the result has been a gradual erosion of the heritage character of the area which gives Gastown its distinctiveness. An example of this is the north side of the unit block Alexander Street where buildings varied in height from 2-6 storeys and now most of the block has been built out to the 75 foot height limit. The result has been a conflict between heritage conservation and economic revitalization objectives. In 1993 Council amended the Transfer of Density Policy to facilitate heritage preservation in the Central Area. Chinatown was added as an area from which density could be transferred in 1994 but Gastown is still excluded. Despite this, Council has in the past three years supported density bonuses for transfer off site on a case by case basis.

Three projects (211 Columbia Street, 55 Water Street and 310 Water Street) have been approved and another approved in principle (345 Water Street). In these instances the provision of an incentive has made projects economically viable and resulted in a more authentic approach to heritage conservation. While this has proven successful, there is concern about the overall impacts of relying on transfer of density as the primary incentive. Furthermore, economic conditions in Gastown are difficult due to several factors including the impacts of the illegal drug trade and related safety and security concerns; weak demand for retail, office, and residential uses in Gastown; the additional complexity and expense of renovating heritage buildings relative to the rents commanded under current conditions; and the difficulty associated with accommodating a wide range of tenant types in heritage buildings.Combined, these elements have created a circumstance which has made the objectives of economic activity and heritage conservation very difficult to achieve. DISCUSSION Gastown Heritage Management Plan The focus of staff and community efforts has been directed to the completion of the heritage management plan.

Staff recommendations in this report are taken largely from directions contained in consultant studies prepared by Spaxman Consulting, Robert Lemon and Don Luxton (the "Spaxman Report") and by Coriolis Consulting (the "Coriolis Report") and input from the community. The Spaxman Report has a strong focus on heritage conservation, deeming retention of the sawtooth profile as fundamental to the conservation of Gastown. It is consistent with widely accepted heritage principles including those emerging from the federal government's Historic Places Initiative. The Spaxman Report calls for implementation of administrative and financial incentives to encourage the rehabilitation of heritage resources in Gastown. The Coriolis Report was commissioned to independently review and comment on the economic implications of the Spaxman Report and to provide recommendations on priority actions to facilitate revitalization of the area. Staff and community groups reviewed the reports in detail and feel the majority of the actions should be implemented. However, staff and the community are concerned with some recommendations, particularly those perceived to limit existing rights. Staff are proposing a Plan that will balance the multiple objectives for the area having regard to providing more immediate encouragement for economic activity, ensuring there is no loss of existing rights, and that an appropriate level of heritage conservation is achieved.

In addition, some of the consultant recommendations have significant resourcing and budget implications. These are discussed in greater detail below. Detailed staff comments on the actions recommended in the Spaxman Report are in Appendix D. Key Recommendations 1. A Vision for Heritage Management in Gastown The Spaxman Report recommends the following vision statement be adopted to guide heritage management in Gastown: "Gastown is the birthplace and historic core of the City of Vancouver, and a source of pride to its citizens. The vision for its heritage management is built on its historiccharacter, buildings and built form being conserved within a historic context for present and future generations. It would accommodate a broad range of uses. The economic viability of the entire area would be assured and it would become a safe, livable, attractive and inspirational place. Gastown would be the home of a vibrant and diverse community, containing a mixture of businesses, housing and income levels and be a good place to visit, work, live and conduct business." This vision was developed in consultation with, and is broadly supported by, the community. Adoption of the vision would provide guidance and direction to current and future heritage initiatives for the area. 2.

Heritage Incentives and Maintaining Existing Rights The GHMP is proposing that owners be given the opportunity to apply for heritage incentives to assist with building conservation and rehabilitation. Alternatively owners could develop under existing zoning provisions. To clarify these opportunities, sites in Gastown have been grouped into three categories: · Heritage sites are those with buildings listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register (108 sites); · Non-heritage sites are those occupied with buildings not listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register (32 sites); and · Vacant sites have no buildings on them (8 sites). a) Incentives for Heritage Conservation Owners of heritage sites will be able to take advantage of a package of incentives for conserving their buildings. In this scenario the following applies: · Existing building envelope constitutes the outright building envelope allowance for heritage buildings. · Incentive program to cover shortfall costs for complete building rehabilitation (seismic and life-safety upgrading) including: - facade grants up to $50,000 per principal facade; - full property tax relief; and - density bonus.

· Residual density for shorter buildings determined as the difference between existing built density and 4.5 FSR (the average FSR achieved on approvals since 1990 in Gastown) would be available for transfer when a complete rehabilitation of the building occurs. · One additional storey of useable space may be permitted on existing buildings provided it meets the design guidelines and is set back from the principal facade (not visible from the sidewalk directly across the street) and does not exceed the 75 foot height limit. · Approval of a Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA) to secure the conservation and ongoing maintenance of the building exterior. Full details of the incentive program are described below. The ability to add a storey is intended to ensure there would be opportunities for incremental increases to density within Gastown without destroying the character of the heritage area and allow for maintaining the sawtooth form. Density that is retained on site (e.g. in the form of an addition) would be deducted from any bonus or residual amount granted. The residual density for shorter buildings is intended as an additional incentive for smaller buildings in the area which may not be able to accommodate additions without significantly altering their heritage character.

The Spaxman Report contained a similar recommendation except that the residual density would have been the difference between the existing building and what could be developed within a 40 foot height limit. The staff recommendation provides for slightly more density to be available for transfer as an added encouragement to revitalize and upgrade heritage buildings. The Gastown Business Improvement Society has requested that the residual density amount be increased to 5.5 FSR. This is not supported due to the impact it would have on the amount of density that would have to be accommodated upon transfer from Gastown. b) Existing Rights Retained Owners who prefer not to take advantage of incentives (except the Facade Grants which would be available to all heritage buildings) will continue to be able to develop under the existing HA-2 Zoning District Schedule. The existing zoning and the process for discretionary approval under this zoning will not change. The Spaxman Report would have limited height on vacant and non-heritage sites to 40 feet with the ability to purchase heritage density from within Gastown to reach a maximum 75 feet.

While this had some benefit in using up density bonus space, staff felt it would be unfair to owners of these sites and that it would reduce opportunities to add density and needed commercial activity. Furthermore, property owners were opposed to this option, most preferring that existing development rights continue to be available to all properties. The GBIS has requested that the HA-2 Zoning District Schedule be amended to permit a height of 75 feet on an outright basis. Planning staff have carefully considered this option, however, this would fundamentally deny the sawtooth profile which is an essential historic character defining aspect of Gastown. Owners who wish to seek the 75 foot height limit could do so through the discretionary process. 3. Shaping an Incentive Program Staff and the community support the consultant recommendations for a 5-year time-limited program of financial incentives to motivate economic activity in the area. It is intended that the incentives would be of immediate assistance to owners. In the future, national incentives will likely be available and together with improved economic conditions in the area the amount of incentives provided by the City could be significantly reduced. All heritage buildings in Gastown (and Chinatown) would be able to apply for facade improvement grants.

Only those completing major upgrades could apply for property tax exemptions and bonus density incentives. The amount of incentive for a major building upgrade to be provided by the City would be based on the "shortfall costs" or the amount required to make a project viable in a restoration and re-use project. Shortfall costs are determined by deducting the costs of the project, land/building and profit from the capital value of the completed project. The consultants and staff recommend continuation of the methodology of using a development proforma analysis to determine the amount of incentive required. The actual amount of each incentive would be determined through site-specific analysis based on objective measures of market values and costs, and it is anticipated that some negotiation of the incentive would be needed to keep these incentives within the available incentive budget allotted annually. Under current economic conditions the estimated shortfall costs are $1.2 million per building on average. This figure has been developed in the Spaxman Report and corroborated by Coriolis and Real Estate Services staff. Twenty-five of the 108 heritage sites in Gastown are estimated to have had significant upgrades including building code and seismic improvements. Therefore, it is estimated that 83 heritage sites require major upgrades. Currently about one building is upgraded per year.

It is estimated that the property tax exemption program in combination with the bonus density could increase this to between 4 and 6 buildings per year. Over 5 years more than 25% of the 83 heritage sites requiring upgrades could be completed. a) Financial Incentives There are a number of ways in which financial support can be provided to encourage conservation of heritage buildings in Gastown. It should be noted that when a Federal program (described later in this report) is established, those incentives would be applied first and therefore reduce the amount required from the City. The following outlines two new programs proposed by staff as well as existing tools currently available (primarily density transfers) that can be utilized to provide assistance to building owners in Gastown utilizing incentives authorized by the Vancouver Charter. The key features of the proposed incentive program are: i) Facade Improvement Capital Grant Program Section 206.2 of the Vancouver Charter authorizes Council to provide grants for heritage purposes. Using this tool, staff are proposing a program that would provide capital grants to heritage building owners who are prepared to improve the exterior appearance of their buildings, with emphasis on storefronts in order to make retail and commercial uses on the ground floor viable.

The program would cover 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum of $50,000 per principal facade. Grants would be subject to a competitive evaluation process for which criteria would be developed and reported back to Council. Owners would be required to enter into a covenant or easement to ensure the restored\rehabilitated facade would be maintained. During public consultation on the Plan, some property owners suggested a proportional system be implemented that based grants on the size or area of the facade. Staff considered this option but feel that the facade program as outlined should be kept as simple as possible, at least initially, making it easier to understand for property and business owners, as well as for efficiency reasons related to implementation and administration. The annual monitoring report will assess the program, and should modifications be necessary in the future, they will be reported to Council. It is anticipated that an average of five projects per year would apply for grants and, if each sought the maximum subsidy available ($50,000), it would require a budget of $250,000/year. It is likely that not all buildings would require the maximum grant available.

Moreover, it is anticipated that as economic conditions improve in the area the amount of subsidy could be reduced. Therefore, more than five buildings per year could receive grants. The total funding required for the 5-year program period would be $1,250,000. An equivalent amount is also being requested for Chinatown at this time. Should Council support this program, it would be required to identify a funding source. Planning staff had requested $1.5 million in funding from the 2003 - 2005 Capital Plan ($750,000 for Gastown and a matching amount for Chinatown over the capital plan period). In a recent report to Council, the Capital Plan Staff Review Group indicated they were unable to allocate funds to meet this request because there was no Council mandate related to the program. The Director of Finance notes that the most appropriate place to fund this program is the Capital Plan as it provides assistance that is similar to other capital grant programs in the Capital Plan and because of the flexibility that the multi-year capital budget provides in administering this kind of grant program.

Council has two options for providing this funding: · increase the 2003 - 2005 Capital Plan financial limit by $1.5 million (to $201.5 million) to fund the program. or · instruct the Staff Review Group to identify existing program/project funding within the 2003 - 2005 draft Capital Plan equivalent to $1.5 million that can be eliminated to fund the facade grant program. Given the demands on the 2003 - 2005 Capital Plan, the Director of Finance supports the former option of allowing the Capital Plan financial limit to increase. The impact on property taxes will depend on how the capital plan funding sources are allocated to individual programs / projects. However, if the decision was to fund this from an increase in Capital from Revenue rather than debt, the increase could be the equivalent of a one-time tax increase of 0.12% to provide $500,000 annually. Council should note that the program proposes to run beyond the time frame of the 2003 -2005 Capital Plan.

Continuing this program will require funding to be allocated in the 2006 -2008 Capital Plan as well. Finally, the Director of Finance notes that the proposed program is based on there being $500,000 available each year for capital grants to Gastown and Chinatown heritage buildings. Funding through the Capital Plan process will provide an absolute upper limit to the amount of the grants that can be approved. Should the demand for civic support exceed this amount, Council may be faced with the need to turn down some applicants or to further increase the Operating Budget to provide additional funding. ii) Property Tax Relief Program Section 396A of the Vancouver Charter authorizes Council to pass bylaws granting property tax exemptions to heritage properties for conservation purposes. Staff are proposing to have Council utilize this authority to provide property tax exemptions for up to 10 years to cover a portion of the "shortfall costs" involved in completing a major rehabilitation of a building. The main objective of the program would be to encourage full upgrading of buildings thereby ensuring their conservation for the long term while stimulating economic development in the area.

The Director of Finance notes that the Section 396 provisions of the Charter give Council the authority, by by-law, to provide an exemption from property taxes for heritage buildings. In short, this means removing the full value of the property from the taxable assessment roll, thereby providing a 100% tax exemption for a specified period up to 10 years. Providing support for heritage conservation through a tax exemption process means that Council does not have to provide specific funding for this program. However, it does not mean that the program is "free". By removing taxable value from the assessment roll, Council will effectively "transfer" the taxes that would have been paid by these properties to all other properties on the tax roll. Based on estimates of the annual cost provided by Planning staff, the amount of this transfer will be approximately $3.6 million. Using the 2002 property tax levies as the base, the impact of this transfer of costs will range from a tax increase of about 0.4% for Class 2 Utility properties to 0.52% for Class 6 Commercial properties. The residential class would be allocated cost equivalent to a 0.44% tax increase.

If the number or total value of the exemptions increases beyond this level, there will be a consequential increase in the tax burden borne by other properties. Similarly, if the take up of exemptions is less than $3.6 million annually, a lower property tax increase would be required. Section 396B of the Vancouver Charter includes reference to repayment of tax exemptions should the building be destroyed and for alterations without authorization. Owners seeking property tax exemptions (and/or bonus density) will be required to enter into a Heritage Revitalization Agreement or a Section 219 covenant satisfactory to the City. As the anticipation is that the exempted buildings would not be upgraded without the benefit provided through the tax exemption, the additional taxes paid after the exemption is completed will at least partially compensate taxpayers for their support. Furthermore, as more buildings are renovated in the area, economic conditions are expected to improve. As a result, it is anticipated that rents will rise and the shortfall costs will decrease, and correspondingly, the incentive required would be reduced. iii) Density Bonus for Transfer Off-Site Any remaining amount required to make up for shortfall costs would be provided through a density bonus amount that could be transferred.

This report includes a recommendation to amend the transfer of density policy to allow density transfers from, but not to, heritage sites in Gastown in order to facilitate the disposition of density. Providing facade grant and property tax incentives will result in the bonus density required to support conservation efforts to be reduced, thereby lessening the amount of heritage bonus density that would be generated from Gastown. Staff have also commissioned a separate study on the density bank to determine ways in which its utilization can be improved. The report is nearing completion and will include recommendations regarding the capacity and performance of the density bank. Staff will report on the matter to Council this autumn. The GBIS has also requested that transfer of density be permitted to non-heritage sites in Gastown and that such density be bonussed by an additional 20%. While there may be some merit in utilizing heritage density created by Gastown buildings within Gastown, staff are concerned that this will have a negative effect on the historic low-scale and sawtooth character of Gastown and effectively push buildings to exceed the 75 foot height parameter. There may be cases where this could be supportable but these should continue to be approved through the discretionary approval process which remains available to owners.

iv) Heritage Incentives in Other Jurisdictions Incentive programs such as those proposed for Gastown are widely used in other Canadian cities. 39 municipal governments in Canada offer some form of financial incentives for heritage conservation. For example, Victoria, Regina, and Charlottetown provide property tax relief and grants; grants are available in New Westminster and Calgary is also considering similar measures; Edmonton and Saskatoon rely on property tax relief; Winnipeg utilizes tax credits and grants; and Toronto is currently contemplating a property tax relief program. Summary information on some of these programs is included in Appendix E. Generally property tax incentives are used for major rehabilitation work and grants are used for smaller components such as facade improvements. Information gathered from some of these jurisdictions and other studies assessing the effectiveness of incentives illustrates a number of potential benefits. Incentives encourage economic investment and activity by leveraging private investment, acting as an economic multiplier, and creating jobs. Among the other benefits are that historic buildings are retained and neighbourhood conservation is supported which results in enhanced tourism development. Furthermore, incentives often provide the impetus to stabilize and structurally upgrade heritage buildings improving public safety.

This is an important consideration forGastown where there is a high proportion of unreinforced masonry buildings which are often most susceptible to damage in the event of an earthquake. An additional feature is that demolition waste is reduced through the reuse of existing buildings. Another important consideration is that as economic circumstances improve, conditions on the street should also get better and lessen future public costs in the area. b) Administrative Improvements i) Guidelines for Heritage Conservation and Form of Development Sites in Gastown are regulated by the HA-2 Zoning District Schedule and most are also protected heritage sites. As such, development (new buildings or rehabilitation of existing ones) is reviewed on an individual basis. The HA-2 Schedule contains no density provisions, but relies on height regulations and the condition that alterations to the exterior of buildings in the HA-2 District requires approval of a development application. No changes to the HA-2 Zoning District Schedule are being recommended as part of this report. However, design guidelines have been prepared to provide clear direction and certainty to owners, architects and staff.

Items related to heritage building character such as design details, materials and fenestration would apply to all sites in the area in order to streamline processing of applications by removing the ambiguity and time involved in negotiating detailed design elements case by case. Additional guidelines pertaining to height and density would be implemented only for sites seeking heritage incentives. In addition, conservation standards, as presently used in Chinatown, will need to be met when incentives are being requested. The design guidelines and conservation standards are consistent with those emerging from the national Historic Places Initiative. It is recommended that once these national standards are available, they be used. Furthermore, owners would enter into a Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA) to secure the conservation and ongoing maintenance of the building exterior when incentives are provided. ii) Streamline Approval Process A number of items to facilitate decisions on development proposals and applications are recommended. Reviewing GHAPC's terms of reference to enhance their design and heritage expertise as described later in this report could eliminate the need for Urban Design Panel review of Gastown projects. The transfer of responsibility for the area from the Province to the City, discussed in detail below, will also result in more efficiencies.

One other component that has been implemented in advance of the plan is the assignment of a project facilitator from Development Services to heritage projects. iii) Annual Reporting In order to keep Council abreast of activity as a result of the GHMP, staff are recommending an annual report be prepared. This will also allow Council to address emerging issues and to monitor the effectiveness of the program on an ongoing basis. The annual reporting will also pay close attention to two specific issues raised by the community: · Maintaining existing zoning and approval process When the ability to develop under the existing HA-2 Zoning District Schedule was presented to property owners, some were concerned that significant built form additions to existing buildings would not be received favourably. As noted earlier approvals under the existing HA-2 Zoning District Schedule are discretionary and will continue to be so. The annual reporting will be an opportunity for Council to evaluate the performance of the discretionary review of development applications in Gastown. · Potential impact of heritage incentives on low-income housing stock There are 1,202 market Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units in 23 buildings (20 of which are on the Heritage Register) in Gastown. All heritage buildings, regardless of use, would be eligible to apply for incentives.

During the completion of the GHMP concern was expressed from the low-income community that heritage incentives could result in the loss of existing units particularly through the conversion of SRO rooms. The Spaxman Report concluded that upward pressures on land values will contribute to the challenge of maintaining rental rates associated with the low-income housing stock in and around the Gastown area. Further it was noted that the City may need to develop programs to provide the resources required to retain the stock of low-income housing. A more thorough review was undertaken as part of the update on SRO conversions by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The results of this assessment are that the effect of the Plan could be to increase the number of SROs that would be feasible to convert or redevelop. In response, staff will continue to seek opportunities for improving housing for low income people in Gastown. This includes: · acquisition of existing heritage SROs for renovation and upgrading; · property acquisition for new social housing; and · combining heritage incentives with other programs such as the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) to facilitate improvements to low-income housing in heritage buildings. As part of the annual monitoring of the GHMP, staff will keep a close eye on the number of low-income housing units that are converted.

Should there be an extraordinary number being converted, staff will report back to Council. Another possible mitigation measure would be extending the concept of property tax relief and other incentives to owners who maintain low-income housing should the heritage tax relief program be approved. iv) Promoting the Incentive Program In order to assist with promoting the incentive program, the Director of Current Planning is also recommending that the Gastown Business Improvement Society be engaged in advising property and business owners and residents of the incentive program. This would involve developing promotional material, including a brochure, that would describe the aspects of the program. Funding in the amount of $5,000 is being requested to support this. 4. Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee (GHAPC) The Spaxman Report recommends that GHAPC be replaced with a Heritage Commission for Gastown having a mandate to advise Council on implementation of the heritage management plan and provide conservation and design review of permit applications. Staff support the notion of reviewing the terms of reference for the committee with the intent of endorsing a mandate that would place the responsibility for all urban design review for Gastown projects with the committee as an alternative to additional review by the Urban Design Panel.

This would include consideration of GHAPC membership to ensure sufficient heritage and design expertise. A comparative example would be the First Shaughnessy Advisory Design Panel. The recommendation in this report would direct staff to begin consultation with the community and report back to Council with a proposed model. 5. Public Realm A number of the actions in the Spaxman Report are related to the public realm. This includes maintaining and enhancing the street beautification installed almost 30 years ago, completing an inventory and adopting policies to conserve elements such as historic streetscape features, extending the beautification to Cordova Street, and maintaining historic features such as cornices and fire escapes, developing a public greenway along the former CPR right-of-way and restoring Blood Alley as an important public space. While staff support most of these directions in principle, a more detailed assessment of the costs to complete and implement them needs to be undertaken. It is recommended that Planning and Engineering staff developa plan to deal with the public realm for Gastown and report back to Council for consideration. Complementary Revitalization Initiatives Working with the community, a comprehensive program to deal with a wide range of items complementary to the GHMP was developed.

A key objective was to improve the confidence of businesses and individuals from within and outside of the area. Some of these initiatives are related to making the process of renovating buildings easier such as the review of the Building By-law currently underway and the forthcoming report proposing to waive encroachment fees for architectural appurtenances on heritage buildings. Other work related to physical improvements to the public realm, including the rebuilding of the Water Street roadbed, have been completed. A detailed description of all items is included in Appendix C. In conjunction with the GHMP, these initiatives will contribute to area wide revitalization. Senior Government Involvement 1. Provincial Approximately three years ago the Province advised that it wanted to transfer responsibility for the heritage designations for Gastown and Chinatown to the City. As a result Council supported the completion of this Gastown Heritage Management Plan and directed staff to review the legal implications of the transfer. The Province, with input from City staff, prepared legislation to effect the transfer. There are three key elements in the legislation: a) Transfer of Designations The transfer of heritage designations will result in no material change as the municipal designations will simply be a continuation of the provincial designations enacted in 1971.

No additional regulatory provisions will come into effect as a result of the transfer. Furthermore, transfer of responsibility for the areas would streamline the regulatory approval process. Although the approving authority has been vested with the Director of Planning since 1981, the provincial designation allowed for the possibility of ministerial intervention, and for City-owned sites, approval of the Minister was required. The transfer to the City would eliminate the need for all Provincial Government involvement. b) Compensation The draft bill also includes language that ensures the City would not be liable for compensation for the sites being transferred. Development proposals will continue to be processed in the same manner and incentives are available to assist with the costs of rehabilitating buildings. c) Heritage Conservation Areas Finally, provisions in the Local Government Act, namely the ability to create heritage conservation areas and temporary protection measures, are not included in the Vancouver Charter. The proposed legislation would amend the Vancouver Charter enabling the City to use these heritage conservation tools as appropriate and bring the Vancouver Charter in line with the Local Government Act with respect to heritage matters. The ability to create heritage conservation areas would allow for a more comprehensive approach to protecting distinctive areas as it could include buildings and other elements, such as landscape features, having heritage value. Implementation requires approval by Council at Public Hearing.

The Bill has now been passed by the legislature and awaits direction from the City before being brought into force. Approval of Recommendation D would begin this process. 2. National a) Historic Places Initiative At the Federal level, work is well underway on the Historic Places Initiative (HPI) a national program that will include a Canadian register of historic places, standards and guidelines for the conservation of historic places, financial assistance and a national trust for heritage conservation. The key element in the program will be the financial incentives which are likely to be based on the American model which provides income tax credits equal to 20% of rehabilitation costs. The availability of a federal program would reduce the level of incentives required from local government. At the opening ceremony of the recent Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference the Hon. Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage outlined the government's intentions to proceed with the HPI including tax incentives to foster private investment. The Department of Canadian Heritage and the FCM agreed to work together to create a heritage caucus to facilitate and implement HPI.

In addition, the Interim Report (April 2002) from the Prime Minister's Caucus Task Force on Urban Issues includes a recommendation for "grants to support restoration and conversion of heritage properties and the development of mechanisms to encourage redevelopment and restoration of both commercial and residential uses." Discussions with the Minister of Finance are ongoing but financial incentives are still likely a few years away. Therefore, it is recommended that the Mayor write to the Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Minister of Canadian Heritage urging them to move forward with implementation of Historic Places Initiative, in particular the components related to implementing mechanisms for financial assistance. It is also recommended that the incentive component of the HPI be pursued through the Vancouver Agreement. b) Application for National Historic Site Status On February 20, 2001, Council deferred GHAPC's request to submit Gastown for consideration as a National Historic Site (NHS) until the GHMP was completed. Staff and the consultant team have reviewed the implications of this request and have determined listing as an NHS is commemorative in nature and implies that a plaque is installed on the building/site. There are no legal obligations or controls imposed as a result, although Parks Canada staff encourages owners to respect the integrity of NHSs.

There are five NHSs in Vancouver: Vancouver Art Gallery (former Provincial Court House), Orpheum Theatre, Vogue Theatre, Marpole Midden and Stanley Park. Discussions with the Manager of Civic Theatres and Facilities Management staff responsible for the Orpheum Theatre and Vancouver Art Gallery confirm that there are no regulatory implications as a result of being National Historic Sites. On the other hand Stanley Park is mostly federal property and therefore requires a commemorative integrity statement (describing historic values and objectives for protecting and presenting these values), as well as a management plan incorporating commemorative integrity. This would not be required for Gastown if it were deemed an NHS. A comparative example for Gastown is the Chinatown District in Victoria. Discussion with the planner for Chinatown in Victoria indicates no additional regulatory controls or requirements have been imposed as a result of NHS status. While symbolic in nature, listing as an NHS could potentially have benefits in the future should additional funding be made available through federal programs. 3. Vancouver Agreement A number of significant initiatives by the three levels of government under the Vancouver Agreement support efforts to revitalize Gastown.

These include safety and security upgrades to the Gastown Parkade, rebuilding the Water Street roadbed, and Neighbours First, a community-based partnership of Gastown, Chinatown and Downtown Eastside organizations that provides increased eyes on the street, detailed clean-up and assistance to people who visit the area. In addition, an Economic Revitalization Strategy for the eastern area of the downtown is being developed in consultation with the community and will be completed later this year. Chinatown As with Gastown, Chinatown was designated as a heritage area in 1971 by the Province. A new zoning schedule that includes provisions for bonus density and ability to transfer it off site as well as design guidelines were adopted in 1994. At present, considerable efforts are being undertaken, with the direct participation of the community, to achieve revitalizationobjectives. A new vision for Chinatown was recently presented to Council. Recommendation H instructs staff to review the incentives proposed under the Gastown Plan for their applicability in Chinatown. In the interim staff have incorporated the implementation of the facade program for Chinatown in the request for funding. Staffing The Spaxman Report recommends a staff position be created to implement the plan.

The Director of Current Planning supports the notion of providing service to Gastown but is not convinced that a new position in addition to the existing resources committed to Gastown should be considered until Council has provided clear direction for the area. Should Council approve the recommendations contained in this report, the Director of Current Planning will report back to Council with resourcing options for implementation. Community Consultation Throughout the preparation of the consultant reports and the staff report there has been considerable discussion with the Gastown community. This has included focussed meetings with GHAPC, the Gastown Business Improvement Society, property owners and representatives of the low-income community, and broad outreach through open houses. Input from constituent groups and the general public has been incorporated into the consultant and staff reports. Staff have met with property owners, the Gastown Business Improvement Society, the Gastown Heritage Area Planning Committee, representatives of the low-income community in Gastown, the Vancouver Heritage Commission and Heritage Vancouver to present and discuss the directions included in this report and seek input to this report. Staff are confident that the recommendations reflect a balance of opinions and objectives for the area. CONCLUSION This report recommends a number of actions to facilitate the conservation of heritage buildings and the economic revitalization of Gastown.

Considerable effort has been put into the development of a plan that balances a number of objectives in the area. Gastown is a unique place with irreplaceable heritage resources in the city, has experienced unique challenges, and the proposed plan calls for a unique program to help kick start economic activity in the area in a heritage context. Approval of the recommendations contained in this report, combined with efforts under the Vancouver Agreement, are essential to achieve conservation and revitalization objectives for Gastown. - - - - - HistoricPlaces.ca - HistoricPlaces.ca Listed on the Canadian Register: 2007/08/23 Statement of Significance Description of Historic Place The historic place at 43 Powell Street is a prominent, six-storey "flatiron" shaped, brick-faced hotel, located on a narrow triangular block at the heart of Vancouver's historic Gastown. Heritage Value The Europe Hotel is the third and final phase of a commercial travellers hotel developed over twenty-two years, beginning in 1886, by prominent Canadian-Italian entrepreneur Angelo B. Calori. The development is of interest as the only significant business venture in Vancouver by an Italian immigrant prior to the Depression of 1930.

In 1908, Calori appointed Vancouver architects Parr and Fee, renowned for their utilitarian solutions, to design a new hotel on the narrow triangular lots adjacent to the existing Europe Hotel. Parr and Fee's design provided for a seven-storey (although only six were built) flatiron-shaped building, with fine architectural detail in the public spaces and modest comforts in the rooms. Parr and Fee's creation, considered to be the high point of their career, is an architectural tour de force, and remains a landmark building in Vancouver to this day. The surviving public spaces are amongst the most important such interiors in Vancouver. The new hotel, which retained the adjacent original hotel as an annex, was built in 1908-9 by Hemphill Brothers of Vancouver. Clearly modelled after the Flatiron Building designed by the architect Daniel Burnham in New York City in 1902, the edifice is also reminiscent of European buildings in Paris and Milan, where radial city planning made such curious-shaped city blocks commonplace.

The structural frame was designed and erected by the Ferro-Concrete Construction Company of Cincinnatti, Ohio, pioneers of the use of steel reinforcement in concrete, who six years earlier had built the first tall concrete building in the world, the 16-storey Ingalls Building in Cincinnatti. The hotel is a good example of the pioneering use of innovative building technology. The concrete frame, the first of its kind in Vancouver, purportedly made this the earliest fireproof hotel in western Canada. The hotel's location was influenced by the success of his first hotel venture on the neighbouring lots to the east, which had benefited from the proximity of the steamship docks at the foot of Columbia Street, from where passengers were brought by a dedicated bus service. Such innovations and the decision to provide affordable modest rooms that would suit the pocket of the business traveller reflect Calori's business acumen and the commercial importance of this part of Vancouver. The hotel housed one of the city's finest bars and much of the business of the commercial district was conducted here. This importance is reflected in the appointment of experienced North Vancouver-based architects Joseph F.Watson and Henry Blackadder in 1939 to refit the beer parlour.

The significance of the former hotel is consolidated by its survival in virtually its original form and its proximity to the original Europe Hotel, one of Vancouver's oldest surviving buildings. The present day use of the hotel and its annex, sympathetically restored and converted to affordable housing by architects Adolph Ingre and Associates in 1983, reflects the changing fortunes of the Gastown neighbourhood, including the demise of the steamship service, the employment crisis that emerged as the commercial district declined, and the City of Vancouver's initiative to recast the area as a heritage tourism destination. The building has been used by Vancouver's film industry in the movies 'Legends of the Fall' and 'Never Ending Story'. Source: City of Vancouver Heritage Conservation Program Character-Defining Elements Vancouver 2017: Best of Vancouver, British Columbia Tourism - TripAdvisor Things to Do More Vancouver was founded as “Gastown” by an Englishman with a penchant for beer and storytelling. Today Gastown is a historic section of the Canadian metropolis, and the lively pubs still reflect the area’s former status as a sort of community drinking center. The city’s forests, grand parks, and impressive suspension bridge beckon travelers to explore them, as do the city’s shops and museums.

Relive the glory of the 2010 Winter Games with visits to Olympic venues and the marvelous Olympic Cauldron. Read more Read less Historic & Heritage Sites | Vancouver, BC | Destination BC - Official Site Historic & Heritage Sites Heritage buildings (Picture BC photo) Vancouver’s historic and heritage sites highlight the city’s diverse culture. Stroll through the “original Vancouver” in Gastown, enter one of North America’s largest and most vibrant Chinatowns, and see a 19th-century fishing cannery at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery in nearby Richmond. Other sites preserve the city’s pioneer and Aboriginal history and the architecture of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. More modern sites reflect Vancouver’s emergence as a world-class city with cultural and sporting events. Historic Neighbourhoods As Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood and a National Historic Site, Gastown features charming cobblestone streets, an antique steam clock, and brick facades. A statue commemorates Gastown’s founder – “Gassy Jack” Deighton – who opened a saloon here in 1867. Tempting shops and restaurants round out the experience. Read More Vancouver’s Chinatown started as a community center for 19th-century Chinese railway workers.

Today, it’s one of the largest in North America. Peace and tranquility await visitors to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden . The adjacent Chinese Cultural Museum and Archives displays Ming Dynasty vases and Chinese calligraphy. Check out the spectacular Millennium Gate nearby, and browse through colourful shops. Vancouver Makes History In 1986, the World’s Fair (Expo ’86) put Vancouver on the map. Today, recognizable landmarks built for the fair can be explored. Canada Place , with its waterfront location and “five white sails” roof, houses the Vancouver Convention Centre, a cruise ship terminal and the Pan Pacific Hotel . Science World , noted for its geodesic silver dome, attracts families with hands-on science exhibits and OMNIMAX films. Vancouver made history as the host city for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Visit Olympic sites such as the large cauldron near the Convention Centre, Rogers Arena (the hockey venue), and BC Place Stadium (site of the opening and closing ceremonies). Heritage Neighbourhood Walking Tours Self-guided walking tours are a great way to see Vancouver’s historic and heritage sites.

Explore Stanley Park , a National Historic Site, and view Aboriginal totem poles, see the Aboriginal landmark called Siwash Rock while circling the seawall, visit the rose garden, check out the Vancouver Aquarium (Canada’s largest), and much more. Want a taste of different cultures and heritages beyond Chinatown? Commercial Drive features a “Little Italy” district, and there’s a “Little India” district on Main Street. Greek restaurants and shops abound on West Broadway, while hilly North Vancouver hosts many Persian eateries and businesses. Historic Maritime Sites The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site in Steveston Village (Richmond) is one of the few remaining 19th-century fishing canneries that once dotted the West Coast. Interactive displays and exhibits, including tours of the canning line and reduction plant, bring to life the glory days of fishing. In Richmond, the historic fishing village of Steveston preserves its heritage as a salmon canning centre circa the 1890s with its fisherman’s wharf and waterfront boardwalk, where you can buy fresh fish right off the boats. The Britannia Heritage Shipyard National Historic Site is another remnant from the 19th-century fishing industry.

Tour the boatyard to see the restoration of a wooden gillnetter by trained shipwrights and dedicated volunteers. Stroll through the colorful wooden stilt houses and experience old-fashioned living conditions. Historic Buildings & Structures Once the British Empire’s tallest building, Vancouver’s 1930 Marine Building is an internationally acclaimed Art Deco structure. It’s worth viewing and right by Gastown. Also downtown is Moshe Safdie’s 1995-completed Vancouver Library Square, which resembles the Roman Colosseum. The seven-story library houses more than a million items. Check out Vancouver architect Arthur Erickson’s acclaimed designs. Don’t miss the sloping glass roof of the 1979-built Vancouver Law Courts, next to the Robson Square public skating rink downtown, or the summit-hugging, ultra-modern buildings at Simon Fraser University (SFU) atop Burnaby Mountain. Just west of downtown Vancouver, the University of British Columbia’s architecturally stunning Museum of Anthropology boasts numerous BC and international Aboriginal art and artifacts. See traditional canoes, masks, carvings, longhouse replicas and totem poles. Just outside of Vancouver, dive into life circa 1865 at the Irving House in New Westminster.

Originally the home of Captain William Irving, this 14-room, fully furnished colonial house features elaborate marble fireplaces, a woodstove and an 1858 Grand Piano. A 1920s BC Electric tram-stop community is recreated at the Burnaby Village Museum . Stroll among heritage and replica buildings, climb aboard the restored Interurban Tram #1223, and ride the 1912 C.W. Park carousel. Bike or walk across the Lions Gate Bridge and enjoy a spectacular view of Vancouver. An iconic landmark, the bridge was built in 1938 by the Guinness family (of Irish beer fame) to connect Vancouver and the North Shore. In North Vancouver, cross the thrillingly shaky Capilano Suspension Bridge , originally constructed in 1889. In Richmond, tour the International Buddhist Temple, perhaps Canada’s most exquisite example of traditional Chinese architecture.

Question: The historic area of Gastown forms part of which Canadian city?
Answer: VANCOUVER