| In March
1982, a non-profit charitable organization named the Main Source Management
Society (renamed the Heritage Hall Preservation Society in March 2001)
was formed to restore the old Post Office and re-open it as a community
and cultural resource centre for Vancouver. Funds were raised from
many sources and work on the most urgent repairs began in early 1983.
The roof and gutters were in a state of great decay and the whole
interior needed to be re-designed. Wiring, plumbing, fire escapes,
elevators, washrooms, and alarms were all brought up to building code.
The interior, particularly the main floor, offered the most creative possibilities. Originally designed to accommodate the workings of a post office, the room was re-designed to look like an elegant ballroom from an old French chateau. Upper floors were restored as modern offices. The basement was transformed into space for live theatre productions. Vancouver’s oldest theatre organization, the Vancouver Little Theatre, had its home in the basement of Heritage Hall until 2001. Stage Door has occupied the space since then. Much of the impetus for restoring the building came from four social service agencies who occupied the two upper floors of the building for many years. Along with other dedicated community volunteers, the Association of Neighbourhood Houses, Information Services Vancouver, (both agencies remain as tenants in Heritage Hall), Volunteer Vancouver, and the Junior League of Greater Vancouver were involved with the project almost since the beginning. Their aim was to secure decent, affordable, centrally located office space for their agencies while helping to preserve a historic building and create a commmunity cultural centre at the same time. Their efforts have succeeded admirably. Current office tenants include Musica Intima and the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Area. Each year Heritage Hall provides beautiful public rental space for hundreds of special events.
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