Eligibility for Heritage Density Bonus

POLICY REPORT
BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT

Date: March 18, 1999
Author/Local: D. Murphy/7056
RTS No. 604
CS&B Date: March 30, 1999

CC File No. 5051

TO:

Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets

FROM:

Director of Community Planning on behalf of Land Use and Development

SUBJECT:

Eligibility for Heritage Density Bonus - 1196 Granville Street (Bank of Nova Scotia Branch)

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the "B" listed heritage building at 1196 Granville Street be eligible for a heritage density bonus.

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

The Heritage Policies and Guidelines (adopted by Council May 13 and September 23, 1986 and reaffirmed April 18, 1991) outline a procedure to be followed in applying the heritage density bonus provision as permitted in the Downtown Official Development Plan. Category "A" buildings on the Vancouver Heritage Register are automatically eligible for consideration of a density bonus for heritage preservation. Categories "B" and "C" buildings may be eligible for consideration, but must first be approved by Council.

PURPOSE

This report seeks Council's approval to consider a heritage density bonus for the "B" listed heritage building at 1196 Granville Street. A companion report on heritage retention optionswill follow this report. Staff will report back at a future date with a recommended bonus amount and a method for protecting the building.

BACKGROUND

On April 24, 1997, Council approved a CD-1 rezoning for a City-owned site at 1410 Granville to permit development of a Dance Centre, which included considerable City financial support in the form of a nominal $1.00 per year 60 year lease payment. Although approved, the proposal did not proceed because of a major signage issue that was not approved by Council.

The Dance Foundation now has an option to lease a former Bank of Nova Scotia building at 1196 Granville Street. The site, located at the northeast corner of Granville and Davie, as shown on the following map, has an area of 557.4 m² (6,000 sq. ft.). On behalf of the Foundation, Noel Best of Architectura Inc., in association with Arthur Erickson, submitted Development Application DE404010 on March 4, 1999, to retain a portion of the existing two-storey heritage building and to add a new 7-storey addition for development of the Dance Centre.

Site and Surrounding Area
1196 Granville Street City of Vancouver _

DISCUSSION

Heritage Value: Constructed in 1929, this Bank of Nova Scotia building was designed by the prominent architectural firm Sharp and Thompson, who designed many Vancouver landmarks, including the original Art Gallery, the Vancouver Club and the pylons on the Burrard Bridge. This bank building is a very good example of the Neoclassical "temple bank"design; the strong base and the orderly series of columns and pilasters on the two facades supporting the strong entablature above recall the image of antiquity to impart a feeling of permanence and stability. In this instance, Sharp and Thompson skilfully modernized this building typology with restrained Art Deco motifs. The building has survived virtually intact, including period interior furnishings. The principal facade on Granville Street, the temple front, is highlighted by andesite stone pilasters and two columns flanking the entry. The Davie Street facade, the temple side, is characterized by andesite pilasters on the two end bays, large main floor windows lighting the banking hall, and large double-hung windows on the second floor, framed in brick pilasters with andesite capitals. Stylized Art Deco motifs carved into the andesite provide ornamentation to the classical architectural element. The building is listed in the "B" category on the Vancouver Heritage Register. There are 14 Heritage Register buildings on Granville Street within two blocks of the site: one "A", two other "B" and 11 "C" category buildings.

Granville Street Revitalization: In September 1998, Council amended the Granville Street (Downtown South) Guidelines, which address the future of the area immediately north and south of the subject site. The general intent of these Guidelines is to assist in the creation of a distinct urban character for Granville Street as an entertainment district for the city. The Dance Centre will be complementary with the adjacent entertainment district.

Heritage Interiors: When the Provincial Government amended the heritage conservation sections of the Vancouver Charter in 1994, it gave Council authority to designate heritage interiors and landscapes. The Heritage Interiors Project identified specific interior features and fixtures in the Bank of Nova Scotia Branch that are considered to be of heritage value. Much of the interior is intact and features black and grey checkered stone floor tiles, plaster detailing, wood wainscot panelling and counters, and the original foyer complete with an art deco pendant feature, marble wainscot wall panelling and ornamental heater grille. Heritage staff, through the Development Approval process, will facilitate retention of these elements in place where possible or their reuse in the new construction where practical.

Vancouver Heritage Commission: At its meeting on January 18th, 1999, the Commission supported the eligibility of this heritage building for a heritage density bonus.

CONCLUSION

Staff advise that the Bank of Nova Scotia building is an important heritage building and recommend that it be made eligible for consideration of a heritage density bonus.

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TO:	Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
FROM:	Director of Community Planning on behalf of Land Use and Development
SUBJECT:	Eligibility for Heritage Density Bonus - 1196 Granville Street (Bank of Nova Scotia Branch)