Each week, 麻豆传媒映画 uncovers some unusual and (hopefully) interesting facts about the city. This week its takes on Gastown鈥檚 historic Woodward鈥檚 building.
1. The original building was constructed for the Woodward鈥檚 department store
The first Woodward鈥檚 store opened at the corner of present-day Main听and Georgia streets in 1892. At the time, Cordova, between Abbott and Carrall, was a retail shopping destination for most of the city. Looking to expand, Charles Woodward opened a new four-storey location at the corner of Hastings and Abbott in 1903.
2. The store was famous for its annual Christmas displays
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The department store was also known for its basement-level Food Floor and the distinct 鈥淲鈥� that adorned the top of the building. Speaking of which鈥�
3. The 鈥淲鈥� was affixed to a听25-metre replica of the听Eiffel Tower
The iconic Woodward鈥檚 鈥淲鈥� was installed on top of a pint-size replica of the Eiffel tower in 1944. The installation replaced a pre-war searchlight, which was shut down at the beginning of WWII over concerns of it being a target for aerial attacks.
The original 鈥淲鈥� is now on display just outside the Woodward鈥檚 atrium. The new rooftop 鈥淲鈥� is replica of the original, with the addition of energy-efficient LED lights.
4. The original 1903 building is still in use today
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Woodward鈥檚 was demolished in 2006 as part of the city鈥檚 efforts to redevelop the surrounding area. The original 1903 to1908 portions of the building were preserved and now house community spaces and non-profit offices.
5. The atrium mural commemorates the Battle of Maple Tree Square
Woodward鈥檚听Abbott & Cordova听(2009)听photo mural commemorates the 1971 Gastown Riots, which resulted after undercover drug squad members intervened at a peaceful smoke-in听protest organized by Vancouver鈥檚 Youth International Party.
