Sequel 138 condos in Downtown Eastside approved

By Peter, on April 27th, 2012%
Sequel 138 condos on East Hastings approved

Sequel 138 condos on East Hastings approved

The City of Vancouver Development Permit Board has approved the Sequel 138 condo project on the site of the former Pantages Theare at 138 East Hastings, Vancouver.

The condo project will contain 97 units, 18 of them being social housing. 79 one-bedroom condos will go on sale soon, starting at less than $250,000. Purchasers must make less than $60,000 a year, promise to live in the unit and preference will be given to people who already live or work in the Downtown Eastside.

There will be a program to help with the downpayment and a low deposit structure. The presentation centre for Sequel 138 is located in the International Village Shopping Centre.

Sequel 138 was fiercely opposed by poverty activists in the area, who say condos on the 100-block of East Hastings, will lead to further gentifrication of the area. VANDU (Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users) even warned that the development would “destabilize the drug market” in the area. Sequel 138 will be located a couple of doors away from the Carnegie Centre at Main and Hastings.

The building itself will feature 2,500 worth of art space, urban agriculture plots and exterior corridors and courtyard. There will be a passageway linking E .Hastings St. with E. Pender St. in Chinatown, which will house several commercial units.

Walking distance to downtown, Chinatown and Gastown, this development promises to be some of the most affordable one-bedroom condos available in Vancouver.

Sequel 138 is expected to be completed in 2013. For updates visit www.sequel138.com

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Cadeaux Bakery coming to Gastown from Dirty Apron/Chambar vets

By Peter, on December 6th, 2011%
Cadeaux Bakery Gastown

Cadeaux Bakery coming to Gastown in New Year

A french bakery is coming to the eastern edge of Gastown, at Powell and Main.

Cadeaux Bakery is the dream of Dirty Apron/Chambar alumni Slavita Johnson and Eleanor Chow. The large space in the SMART Gastown building at 168 Powell St. is being fixtured right now.  The bakery hopes to serve commuter traffic heading to and from downtown, and residents of the rapidly gentrifying neighbourhood. It also doesn’t hurt the bakery is in the commercial space of a new condo building.

The space is designed by the same team behind Meat & Bread and Pizzeria Farina, so expect clean lines and lots of character.

Cadeaux will sell french-themed baked goods, cakes and cookies. There will be a small bar area where customers will be able to have a coffee along with their patissiere. It’s expected to be open by the end of the year.

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Vancouver’s Pantages Theatre to be demolished

By Peter, on April 8th, 2011%
Demolition at the Pantages Theatre site

Demolition at the Pantages Theatre site. Courtesy: David Jacklin

Sad news about the Pantages Theatre in Downtown Eastside today.

The City of Vancouver has confirmed that demolition permits have been issued for the 104-year-old theatre and adjacent buildings at 130, 132, 134 and 138 East Hastings, just west of the Carengie Community Centre.

Several engineering reports have confirmed what most already knew: the building is falling apart and is unsalvagable. Water has been leaking through a large hole in the roof of the theatre for several years now, destroying what was left of many of the heritage features.

Besides the unfortunate loss of Canada’s oldest remaining vaudeville theatre, starting next week there will be another large empty parcel of land in the Downtown Eastside. Except this vacant piece of land will be at a very vulnerable location – half a block from Hastings and Main.

The city says there are currently no development plans for the site, so get ready for another community garden or tent city.

I presume the owner is awaiting the outcome of the Historic Area Height Review, which is the subject of intense resistance by neighbourhood activists. The review would allow developers to build taller buildings in the DTES and Chinatown.

The Pantages Theatre and the adjacent buildings have been owned since 2005 by Edmonton-based Worthington Properties, who primarily specialize in commercial developments.

For several years, Worthington attempted to sell the land assembly back to the City of Vancouver, with a plan to restore the original theatre and build 120 units of social housing on the site.

The City of Vancouver turned the developer down on more than one occasion, and the property has been for sale as a “land assembly” for the past couple of years.

Next week, the Pantages Theatre and all of its history will be wiped out, and another vacant lot will line East Hastings Street.

The “Save the Pantages” group along with Heritage Vancouver tried valiantly for years to get the city’s attention.

Unfortunately, Vancouver has lost yet another significant heritage structure due to neglect.

More information:

Report from Global BC, Noon News Hour, April 8, 2011

Pantages Theatre Vancouver, East Hastings St.

Interior of the Pantages Theatre Vancouver, on East Hastings St., set to be demolished next week. Photo courtesy: Heritage Vancouver

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