2010 OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Woodward's Project

Westbank Projects Corporation / 
Peterson Investment Group
Commonwealth Historic Resource Management Ltd
Jonathan Yardley Architects Inc
Henriquez Partners Architects

The Woodward's Project is a large, innovative mixed-use development intended to help revitalize Vancouver's Downtown East Side. The iconic focus of the project is the rehabilitation of the Woodward's department store built between 1903 and 1908.  The rehabilitation project involved:

• (restoration of the elevations facing West Hastings and Abbott Streets
   to their appearance in 1908
• rehabilitation of the storefronts and canopy
• rehabilitation of the interior wood-frame structure to accommodate
   offices for non-profit organizations
• reconstruction of the sign and tower, and
• a comprehensive program of interpretation.

Jonathan Yardley was the architect for the exterior restoration and Commonwealth was the overall heritage consultant and interpretive planner. The exterior restoration involved many aspects. The brickwork, parts of which were in poor condition, was reinforced, with shotcrete applied from the rear and a breathable sealant on the exterior, and conserved. The painted signs, which bear the names of the Woodward's retail departments, were revealed from beneath many layers of paint and reinforced with inpainting.  The large cornice, which had been removed around 1940, was reconstructed, based on good documentation.

The original windows were repaired where feasible, while those in poor condition were replaced in kind. On the interior, the original wood columns and floor structure were retained, except where they were removed to insert a reinforced-concrete elevator service and stair core. The columns and the floor required reinforcement with new materials and fireproofing to meet current structural and fire-safety regulations.

It was intended that the landmark “W” sign and tower would be re-used atop the new concrete core. However, detailed investigation revealed that both were so deteriorated that they would require virtual replacement. It was therefore decided to reconstruct a new W sign and tower in the same form, but fabricated of new materials and illuminated with current technology.  Both closely resemble the originals but are readily distinguishable as new work from close up. The original W sign is displayed in the plaza as an historical artifact.

The interpretive program includes both permanent and temporary installations that ensure that every person who uses the site understands something of its rich heritage. The interpretive program involved the re-use of original building components, including three sidewalk mosaic panels that read 'Woodward's Ltd', two sets of large metal letters that spell 'Woodward’s in the floor of the parking concourse and the lobby of the market residential tower.

Other installations include four audio-visual stations in the atrium and parking concourse, whose initial programming describe the history of the store, the development, and the neighbourhood; the use of ten display windows along the street for themed displays, beginning with the current historical exhibit; and Nesters Market (a large grocery store) calling itself the Woodward's Food Floor, recreating historical tile patterns and display typefaces, and selling Woodward's-branded merchandise (such as the famous Woodward's Peanut Butter).

This major heritage rehabilitation project will house the TD Bank on the ground floor, offices for the City of Vancouver and non profits on the other levels, with a new addition on the roof for a daycare facility.