Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WEST END
At the corner of Robson and Homer
streets is a curious building that is
more than a little reminiscent of
Rome's Coliseum—the Vancouver
Public Library
. This impres-
sive building, completed in 1994-1995
and located on a city block known as
Library Square, is the work of Montréal
architect Moshe Safdie, known for his
Habitat '67 in Montréal and the National
Art Gallery in Ottawa. The project
stirred lively reactions both from local
people and from architecture critics.
The design was chosen after fi nally be-
ing put to a referendum. The six-storey
atrium is positively grandiose.
The population of the West End is a
mixture of students and profession-
als, many of whom made a fortune on
new technologies and the various new
therapies now in fashion. The gay com-
munity is also well represented here.
Barclay Heritage Square is bounded by
Barclay, Nicola, Haro and Broughton
streets. There are eight heritage houses
on this square, which is actually an
Edwardian garden with its very own
gazebo, all of which date from the
1890s. One of them has been reborn
as a museum showcasing furnishings
from the Victorian period. Built in 1893,
the Roedde House Museum
was
the family home of Gustav and Matilda
Roedde and their family until 1925.
Gustav was the fi rst bookbinder and
printer in Vancouver, a vocation prof-
itable enough to permit the construc-
tion of a comfortable upper-middle-
class home. The house was designed
by notable architect and family friend
3
The West End residential neighbourhood.
© Pierre Longnus
6
English Bay.
© Pierre Longnus
Search WWH ::
Custom Search