Vancouver Arts and Cultures Forum

Dear Mayor Sullivan and Councilors,
Re: The Pantages Theatre

Heritage Vancouver has long supported the retention and restoration of Vancouver’s Pantages Theatre, the oldest remaining Pantages Theatre in North America and western Canada’s oldest vaudeville theatre.

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Mayor Sam Sullivan and Members of Council
Vancouver City Hall
453 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4

Dear Mayor Sullivan and City Councillors:

I am writing with deep concern about the future of the Pantages Theatre. The Pantages is the last remaining theatre in what was the hub of a vibrant theatre district in the early decades of the twentieth century. Not only is the Pantages an important cultural heritage treasure, the Pantages Project is an essential part of the future of a revitalized Hastings Street. Indeed, the proposed Pantages Project, consisting of the restored theatre and affordable housing, exemplifies the type of development appropriate for Hastings Street and for other parts of the Downtown Eastside.

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Dear Friends,

After 38 months working together to restore the Pantages Theatre, I have to report some unfortunate news. The last round of negotiations between the owner of the theatre and the City of Vancouver did not achieve the results we had hoped.

After spending considerable money to hold and maintain the building and adjoining properties (necessary for a fully-functioning and modern theatre), the owner has been forced to put all of the properties up for sale. The FOR SALE signs are now posted. We presume this irreplaceable heritage and community structure will be destroyed.

While this decision is unfortunate in terms of what we have been attempting to achieve over the countless meetings we have held, I respect the owner’s decision.

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