We may know it as a single complex but the Sinclair Centre started out as four separate buildings, built around 1910 and brought together in the 1980s.
I recently featured the buildings in one of my Then and Now posts so when Marc invited me down for a private tour of the heritage building I jumped at the chance.
The Sinclair Centre joins together four buildings with a glass atrium:
The Post Office (1910)
It’s style is described as Edwardian Baroque and was the main post office in Vancouver until the late 1950s. Its 12-foot diameter clocks, which sit in the tower above Granville and Hastings, were restored in 1986.
The Winch Building (1911)
Located on the corner of Howe and Hastings this building was built by cannery pioneer Richard Vance Winch. It was designed by Thomas Hooper and was completed for $700,000 and sold to the federal government in 1925.
Customs Examining Warehouse (1913)
Sitting Howe and Cordova, this building was designed by Public Works’ Chief Architect David Ewart and was built by the federal government as a warehouse to handle federal requirements on imported goods. It was used by Customs until 1958. Until recently it was also the home of Morton’s Steakhouse.
The Federal Building (1937)
At the corner of Granville and Cordova this was built as an extension of the Post Office.
In 1983 it was announced that a block of four buildings downtown (between Granville, Hastings, Howe and Cordova) would get a $40 million facelift. This brought them together under one glass atrium roof, and one name. James Sinclair, a businessman from West Vancouver and also the father of Margaret Trudeau, was the development’s namesake. [source: VancouverHistory.ca]
The tour took us through the food court, past the Government of Canada Passport office, onto the roof of the Winch Building. The architecture in the Post Office and Winch Buildings is absolutely beautiful. Marble staircases, brass fixtures, copper roofs and the tiniest engraved details.
From the roof we went back inside and over to the tower entrance to get an inside-out look at the timepieces.
As I stood atop a spiral staircase at the very peak of the clock tower I looked out windows at the street below. The seabus passed from one side of the North-facing window to the next while a horn honked at a pedestrian crossing the street down below. A carving on a wooden side panel told me that Clint wuz here before me and I could only imagine those who must have stood here a hundred years ago.
The offices are still used by various arms of the Federal Government while boutiques and shops (such as Leone and Armani) are over in the Winch Building. The original bell from the tower is on display in the Sinclair Centre food court.
I made my descent with hands covered in dust and the smell of old library books in my nostrils. I write quite a bit about our city’s history but it’s opportunities like this, through hands-on exploration, that keep my passion (and curiosity) brewing.
The rest of my photos from today are online in this Flickr set.
The Sinclair Centre will have a special announcement in about a week so I will write a follow-up post at that time.
The 20th anniversary of Jeans Day is coming up Thursday April 29th benefiting the BC Children’s Hospital. Purchase a button for $5 to support the hospital and their efforts then wear your jeans to work or school to show your support.
Team Leaders can sign on as Jeans Day Champions to rally Jeans Day initiatives with co-workers, colleagues or classmates.
Where to get your button
You can purchase the Jeans Day button online or from any of these retailers: Save-on-Foods, Overwaitea, PriceSmart Foods, Cooper’s, Costco, Urban Fare, Thrifty Foods or London Drugs.
Every person who buys a button and fills in an online survey will receive an entry for a grand prize trip for two from Air Canada.
Jeans Day activities
On April 29th stop by any of the following BBQ locations to enjoy a smokie, chips & pop for $3 if you have a Jeans Day button or $8 if you don’t.
Downtown Vancouver – Vancouver Art Gallery Front Lawn 11:00am – 2:00pm
BC Children’s Hospital – Shaughnessy Courtyard – 11:30am – 1:00pm
Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children – 11:30am – 1:00pm
Fin from the Vancouver Canucks will be in attendance at the Vancouver Art Gallery location.
Share with social media
Follow Jeans Day on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or add your denim-clad photos to their their Flickr group. Sign up for the Facebook event and add #jeansday to your Tweets on April 29th.
Last year, more than 72,000 children were treated at Children’s Hospital. Since 1982, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation has worked with children, families, caregivers and hundreds of thousands of British Columbians to give Children’s Hospital, and the Child & Family Research Institute the resources they need to excel.
When you head down to 7-Eleven Thursday morning to purchase your monthly transit fare card don’t be fooled — Translink’s fare hikes kick into effect April 1st bumping up pre-paid fares by at least 10%.
I put a reminder out on Twitter and @reneestephen replied saying it now costs the same for her to buy a transit pass as it does to drive in and park at work. My mother will now be paying $151 a month for her 3-zone pass to commute downtown from Surrey each day. Even the Vancouver Sun asks if monthly fare cards are a “good deal”.
Faresaver tickets will go up about 11%
One-zone monthly passes go from $73 – $81
Two-zone from $99 to $110
Three-zone from $136 to $151
Concession passes for students and seniors $42 to $46.50
No change for cash fares
Many say there needs to be more of a crackdown on those who aren’t paying their fares. In 2009 I did a poll on my site where 77% of readers were in favour of turnstiles or gates at SkyTrain stations.
Fare increases are never popular, especially when Translink has seen an increase in ridership (that was a theme with BC Ferries as well).
The decision to raise prices on the fare cards, fare saver booklets and employer passes was made through public consultations last spring, said Drew Snider a spokesperson for TransLink. “The message we kept getting back was that they [public] wanted more transit, they were willing to pay for it,” Snider added. “At the end of the day there are so many ways you can ask people to pay for things.”
Roughly $18 million will be generated from the fare increase, which was initiated because other options like fuel and property taxes have been utilized, he said. [Vancouver Courier]
We’ve been teased by the free Olympic Line and given that they had over half a million riders on that small route alone in early 2010, it’s no secret that this city does love taking transit.
[poll id=”49″]
The Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards are being awarded this week as the province’s top athletes receive recognition for their stellar performances. Nominees and finalists have been selected and winners will be announced March 31st at the River Rock Show Theatre.
Award categories include: Athlete with a Disability, Coach of the Year, College Athlete of the Year, High School Female Athlete of the Year, High School Male Athlete of the Year, Junior Female Athlete of the Year, Junior Male Athlete of the Year, Master Athlete of the Year, Official of the Year, Senior Female Athlete of the Year, Senior Male Athlete of the Year, Team of the Year and University Athlete of the Year.
Winners from 2009 already announced are: Jim Armstrong for the Harry Jerome Comback Award, Mitch Berger for the Best of BC Award, KC Emerson for the Daryl Thompson Award, and John Furlong with Sportsman of the Decade.
Since 2009 wasn’t an Olympic year — and boy did 2010 start off with a bang — they have added Fan Vote categories to be able to include Olympians and Paralympians at this awards presentation.
The Fan Vote poll is up online and it’s up to the public to select their favourites. You can select Ashleigh McIvor, Denny Morrison, Scott Niedermayer, Maëlle Ricker, or Shea Weber for the Olympics category. For the Paralympic Fan Vote award, Team Armstrong – Curling, Josh Dueck, and Lauren Woolstencroft are on the ballot.
The 44th annual Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards gala will begin with a reception at 6:30pm and the ceremony will begin at 8:00pm. I have two pairs of tickets to give away to those who are interested in attending.
Please leave a comment on this post to enter or re-tweet the following:
I will draw two winners (who will each receive a pair of tickets) tomorrow by 12:00pm.
Update The two winners are Stephen (comment entry) and @NatashaCarpio (Twitter entry). Congratulations and see you tomorrow at the awards.
The Easter bunny is making his (or her) way through Vancouver in a few days giving many a long weekend. Around town there are a few activities that you can enjoy with friends and family, especially the young ones.
Easter EGGstravaganza
Where: West End Community Centre
When: April 1st from 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Details: Games, crafts, an Easter Egg Hunt and even a bouncy castle will be on hand for children to enjoy. Registration ($5 per child) is required in order to book a spot for the egg hunt. Ages 2-10.
Easter Egg Decorating
Where: Kerrisdale Community Centre
When: April 1st from 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Details: Admission is $6 per child for ages 2-10.
Maritime Style Easter Treasure Hunt
Where: The Vancouver Maritime Museum
When: April 2nd until April 5th
Details: All ages Easter egg hunt the at Maritime Museum including self-guided scavenger hunt with clues. Free with admission to the museum.
Easter EGGstravaganza
Where: Renfrew Community Centre
When: April 3rd from 12:30pm – 3:00pm
Details: Registration ($5 per child) is required in order to book a spot for the egg hunt. Ages 2-10.
Easter EGGstravaganza
Where: Kerrisdale Community Centre
When: April 3rd from 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Details: Registration ($5 per child) is required in order to book a spot for the egg hunt. Ages 2-10.
Eco Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Surrey Nature Centre (14255 96th Avenue)
When: April 3rd from 10:00am – 1:00pm
Details: Registration for the Easter egg hunt at the Nature Centre is $2 per child
Dundarave Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Dundarave (2400 Block of Marine Drive)
When: April 3rd from 11:00am – 12:30pm
Details: Each participant will be given a map to hunt for 12,000 chocolate Easter eggs.
The Great A-Mazing Egg Hunt
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden
When: April 3rd from 10:00am – 12:00pm
Details: Sponsored by Purdy’s Chocolates this event is unfortunately sold out already.
Hyack Antique Car Easter Parade
Where: New Westminster, Queens Park
When: April 4th at 11:00am
Details: The largest Easter Car Parade in the Pacific Northwest.
Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Port Moody Museum
When: April 4th from 10:00am – 2:00pm
Details: All ages are welcome, admission is $2.
Should you have a community event you would like to promote, please feel free to contact me or leave a comment.
