This morning, they imploded the old Woodwards building. I wish I’d gone down to watch. The Future of Woodwards is layed out here…

What REALLY pisses me off is that I can’t find any News stories on CBC about it being destroyed!! All I can find is “Province buys old Woodwards Building” from back in 2003. Grrrr…..

QUOTE: City of Vancouver – History of Woodwards

The Woodward’s Department Store was first established at the corner of Hastings and Abbott in 1903, and grew to occupy half the block bounded by Hastings, Abbott, Cordova, and Cambie streets. For many decades, Woodward’s was one of Vancouver’s primary retail destinations: anchoring the retail along Hastings and providing its low and modest income neighbours with a food floor and other household necessities. It became known city-wide for its Christmas displays and the neon “W” on the roof.

Woodward’s closed its Hastings Street store in 1993 and in early 1995 the property was sold to Fama Holdings (Fama). In June 1995, the City’s Development Permit Board approved Fama’s preliminary application to develop a mixed-use project consisting of condominium units and commercial and retail space, subject to conditions. However, the project generated substantial opposition among the low-income community because it did not include any social housing.

Woodward’s was designated a heritage building in November 1996.

To read the history of this now-destroyed heritage building, visit Wikipedia: Woodward’s Building and/or Woodward’s Department Store

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