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Neon Returns to Vancouver Downtown
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by kate | January 5, 2009 at 09:44 am
1000 views | 49 Recommendations | 12 comments
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I am so happy that neon signs are starting to come back to Vancouver. There is a new sign at the Pennsylvania Hotel, built in 1908 as the Woods Hotel and newly restored by the Portland Hotel Society for single room occupancy.
Vancouver used to be a notable centre for neon signage, but a lot of it was taken down by city officials who felt that it was an eyesore. I hope 2009 brings more cool old restored hotels and vintage neon!
Here is a longer article by Frances Bula about the sign and the history of the building.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (12)
at 12:54 on January 5th, 2009
I just noticed the Pennsylvania Hotel sign this weekend and loved it. Bring back neon!
at 14:10 on January 5th, 2009
I had never noticed how much cool neon there was in Vancouver, until my last trip there (there seems to be one particularly neon rich section). Unfortunately I didn't have time to run around and take photos, but I hope to do so when I return in March.
Charlene F. has contributed a photo to this story.
at 14:51 on January 5th, 2009
I love the old neon signs and finding them on various travels, and i'm very happy about some of the cool signs up and shining in vancouver.
kitedrums has contributed a photo to this story.
at 15:37 on January 5th, 2009
I am not to much a fan of neon, even I was once.
at 15:54 on January 5th, 2009
A classic sign on Davie, after-hours at a nail salon.
changingtowers has contributed a photo to this story.
at 15:57 on January 5th, 2009
A great source of classic images of Vancouver in it's golden years of neon is the work of local photographer Fred Herzog, whose work was recently shown in the VAG. Also, one of my personal favourites. His work can be seen on occasion at the Equinox Art Gallery on Granville and 7th.
at 16:37 on January 5th, 2009
The drive is full of it! :)
at 00:26 on January 6th, 2009
I love neon. Here's an interesting video about vigilantes in Paris who spend their time shutting off neon lights at night: Club Du Neon
at 06:03 on January 6th, 2009
Hastings Street, North Burnaby.
Alexcentric has contributed a photo to this story.
at 02:55 on January 7th, 2009
It's just about the clean-cut composition, actually, in contrast to so many ovely cluttered windows.
Silverproggie has contributed a photo to this story.
at 17:05 on January 11th, 2009
It does make a city look better if tastefully done.
at 20:48 on January 16th, 2009
ITS A DAM SHAME THAT THE OWNERS OF THE COCKROACH FOUR ,THAT BEING THE BALMORAL,THE COBALT,THE REGENT AND THE ASTORIA WILL NOT SPEND THE MONEY TO RESTORE THESE GRAND OLD HOTELS- THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO FIX THEM UP AT THE OWNERS EXPENCE-THE OWENS LIVE IN SHANACHEY THEY CAN AFFORD IT-OR MAYBE THEYB SHOULD SEE IF THEY COULD STAND LIVING IN THOSE DIRT BAG HOTELS FOR ONE WEEK THEMSELVES.ANYWAYS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE AWSOME IF THE BALMORAL SIGN COULD/WOU LD BE RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL 1946 STATE- THE SCUMB BAG LANDLORDS FIXEXD THE ASTORIA SIGN SO WHY NOT BALMORAL.......IF YOU NEVER SEEN WHAT THE HOTEL LOOKED LIKE IN THE 1920S ,IT LOOKED LIKE THE HOTEL VANOUVER-HIGH CLASS- TO TODAY OF NO CLASS.