Vogue Theatre
Encyclopedia
Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver
on 918 Granville Street
, the Vogue Theatre has been one of the defining architectural achievements in Vancouver since its opening in 1941. Built in the Art Deco
/Art Moderne style, the Vogue Theatre was originally built as a movie house and a venue for the performing arts
on Vancouver’s “Theatre Row”.
and Vancouver International Jazz Festival
.
It was operated by Canadian Odeon Theatres, later Cineplex Odeon up until its closure in 1987.
style building in Vancouver.
which is topped by silhouette of the Roman Goddess Diana, giving this building a very Hollywood feel.
Another of the special characteristics of the Vogue is its elaborate modulated lighting system, which create a fusion-type atmosphere in the building. The stage, which is made of black-painted maple, is equipped with a flying system 30 feet above the floor and a state-of-the-art audio system. In addition to the concern of aesthetic value, the Vogue was also constructed with practical objectives. The air-conditioning systems and ducts are concealed in the ceiling coves, which not only looks good but also improves the acoustics of the theatre.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
on 918 Granville Street
Granville Street
Granville Street is a major street in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and part of Highway 99.-Location:Granville Street runs generally north-south through the centre of Vancouver, passing through several neighbourhoods and commercial areas, differing appreciably in their land value and the...
, the Vogue Theatre has been one of the defining architectural achievements in Vancouver since its opening in 1941. Built in the Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
/Art Moderne style, the Vogue Theatre was originally built as a movie house and a venue for the performing arts
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
on Vancouver’s “Theatre Row”.
History
The Vogue Theatre was designed by architects Kaplan & Sprachman. Construction began in 1940 and was completed in 1941. The Vogue has hosted such events such as Vancouver’s ComedyFest, Vancouver International Film FestivalVancouver International Film Festival
The Vancouver International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for two weeks in late September and early October...
and Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
The Vancouver International Jazz Festival is an annual summer event in Vancouver, Canada.The festival grew out of a local jazz scene that centred around Vancouver Co-op Radio , a community radio station, in the early 1980s...
.
It was operated by Canadian Odeon Theatres, later Cineplex Odeon up until its closure in 1987.
Architecture
The Vogue Theatre is a prime example of a ModerneArt Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
style building in Vancouver.
Exterior Design
The Vogue Theatre is crafted in the Art Deco style, emphasizing sleek lines and fluid contours. Its streamlined exterior exemplifies these qualities. The symmetrical façades, constructed in a mixture of textured concrete and terrazzo panels with wrought-iron screens, give the Vogue a very slick look. Flanked by shops on both sides, the entrance and box office are recessed into the building. The sidewalk outside depicts a very colorful pattern. One of the defining features of Vogue is its large neon signNeon sign
Neon signs are made using electrified, luminous tube lights that contain rarefied neon or other gases. They are the most common use for neon lighting, which was first demonstrated in a modern form in December, 1910 by Georges Claude at the Paris Motor Show. While they are used worldwide, neon signs...
which is topped by silhouette of the Roman Goddess Diana, giving this building a very Hollywood feel.
Interior Design
The interior of the Vogue Theatre houses 1,144 seats and contains 4 wheelchair accesses. There are 597 seats on the orchestra level, 211 in the Dress Circle and 336 on the Upper Circle. It comprises curved balconies and curved ceilings that are defining features of the Art Deco style. Streamlined and sinuous contours are found in all aspects of the interior: auditorium, upper and lower lobbies, foyer, and staircases that are flanked by wood columns. It also holds a basement, multiple dressing rooms, and a heavy orchestra veil.Another of the special characteristics of the Vogue is its elaborate modulated lighting system, which create a fusion-type atmosphere in the building. The stage, which is made of black-painted maple, is equipped with a flying system 30 feet above the floor and a state-of-the-art audio system. In addition to the concern of aesthetic value, the Vogue was also constructed with practical objectives. The air-conditioning systems and ducts are concealed in the ceiling coves, which not only looks good but also improves the acoustics of the theatre.