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Pantages Theatre (1907)
Vancouver's Pantages Theatre, located at Main and Hastings, is the oldest surviving vaudeville theatre in Western Canada and the first theatre built by famed theatre owner Alexander Pantages.
A "For Sale" sign has gone up on the Pantages. This is the signal that the current owner has been unable to come to an agreement with the city to restore the theatre after three years of planning and negotiations. Given the nature of Vancouver's real estate climate and lack of heritage protection, if sold for development, this will likely mean the demolition of the Pantages theatre.
Once part of a thriving theatre district, the theatre is one of the last survivors.
The building's facade is quite plain and is a smaller version of the, now demolished, Empress Theatre two blocks east. They followed the trend of early theatres where the office-like exterior hid a decorative interior. The only major alteration to this building has been the removal of the ticket booth.
The interior of this unique building is wonderful. Designed in an era when theatre design was going through a transformation, the Pantages exhibits a much simpler decoration scheme than later theatres. The original plaster decoration, includes musical instruments, lots of scoll work, and the initials of Mr. Pantages the theatre's owner. The proscenium was originally surrounded by flame-shaped light bulbs. The sockets are still in place.
What does Heritage Vancouver say?
Heritage Vancouver has been supporting initiatives to preserve the Pantages for a number of years. We have worked closely with previous owners and with for the last three years with the current owners. The historic Pantages must be preserved, both for its heritage significance and also for the vital role that it will play in neighbourhood revitalization.
What can you do?
Please write a letter to Mayor Sullivan and City Council supporting the preservation of the Pantages and urging them to take whatever action is required to save this historic landmark, at mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca
Also, view our Top Ten Endangered Sites entries
for the Pantages theatre: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010
Updated Aug 11, 2010: The Pantages has been condemned for some time now and salvage work recently began to remove and store intact pieces from the interior of the Pantages Theatre. The current owner has given up on any plans to restore the theatre but to date there has been no application for a demolition permit. Sadly it seems as though it is only a matter of time before the old theatre comes down.
Updated Dec 17, 2009: Breaking News: The Pantages Theatre Arts Society has abandoned its struggle as of today, to preserve and restore Vancouver's Historic Pantages Theatre – Heritage Vancouver urges the City of Vancouver to find a way to preserve The Pantages.
Heritage Vancouver has received a letter from the Pantages Theatre Arts Society informing us of their intention to abandon the struggle to preserve and restore the Pantages Theatre. This is yet one more example of how the lack of heritage incentives at all levels of government has thwarted community efforts to protect our built heritage. We invite you to contact Mayor Gregor Robertson and Council Mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca to urge them to turn their attention to finding a way to preserve this building. This is a most urgent matter, and the last chance for the historic Pantages.
See our response letter dated Dec 17, 2009 in the left column.
The letter from Peter Fairchild, of the Pantages Theatre Arts Society to HVS, dated Dec 17, 2009 can be viewed here (PDF).
Updated May 9, 2009: Regrettably there is no good news to report on the Pantages Theatre. Last July the previous City Council turned down the current owner's final proposal to restore the Pantages Theatre. In September, instead of purchasing the Theatre, Vancouver City Council agreed to conduct a feasibility study, which to date has not been started. The current Council has had no discussion with the owner and has shown no interest in reversing the previous council's decision.
The sale of the Pantages is progressing and it is our understanding that the interested purchaser does not intend to retain the building. In the meantime the Theatre's condition has deteriorated so rapidly it is now off limits to visitors. It appears that Vancouver will lose a 101-year old theatre, unique in all of western Canada.
Resource web links (external)
Facebook - Save the Pantages Theatre
Facebook group link
Petition online to Save the Pantages
www.petitiononline.com/pantages
History of Vancouver - The Pantages in Vancouver
www.vancouverhistory.ca/archives_pantages.htm
Other Surviving Pantages Theatres
www.pantagesplayhouse.com/pantageses.htm
News articles (external)
It's Curtains for the Pantages Theatre
The Vancouver Sun; July 2, 2010; by John Mackie
 vansun_curtains_pantages_07_2010.pdf (PDF, 216k)
Heritage Canada's Top 10 Endangered sites for 2009 (Pantages included)
Heritage Canada Foundation; July 7, 2009
www.heritagecanada.org/eng/Top_Ten_Backgrounder_2009_E.pdf (PDF)
Historic Pantages Theatre for sale
The Vancouver Sun; Oct 22, 2008; by John Mackie
vancouver_sun_pantages_22_10_2008.pdf (PDF, 52k)
Fat lady sings for East Side theatre
Vancouver Courier; Oct 24, 2008; by Shawn Conner
vancouver_courier_pantages_24_10_2008.pdf (PDF, 52k)
Final call for historic Vancouver theatre?
CTV; Oct 23, 2008; by Peter Grainger
ctv_pantages_23_10_2008.pdf (PDF, 68k)
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