While the Marine Building is Vancouver’s main Art Deco attraction, it’s not the only one. The area of Granville Street known as the Power Block, named for Captain William Power also has fine examples.

First, there is the Vogue Theatre.  Dating from 1941, the Vogue straddles the divide between Art Deco and Streamline Moderne. I spent my limited time on the next block so I don’t have a photo, but you can click on the link for more information.

Speaking of theaters, just a block from the Vogue is a closed but super Art Deco theater facade.

Theater facade (currently closed)

The real showpiece of the Power Block is this lovely terracotta building, currently an Old Navy shop. Only the facade survives, but there were plans to demolish the whole thing, so enjoy!

Across the street from the Egyptian/Art Deco styled Old Navy is the Commodore Ballroom. These days, the Commodore is mostly a concert venue with an eclectic assortment of performers.

An easy walk from Granville Street, the Hotel Vancouver, now the Fairmount Vancouver is one of the city’s great monuments. There have been three Hotel Vancouvers on this site, and the most recent iteration, built 1929-1939 has Art Deco details on the main floor.

Now we come to the benefit of having an expert at hand. Tim, our Forbidden Vancouver guide, took us the basement where these beautiful original elevator doors are still in place. I’d bet many hotel guests never see these doors.

Although Vancouver’s other Art Deco skyscraper, the Medical & Dental Building was demolished, the terracotta nurses that adorned the place have been recreated and they now anchor the corners of a new, nicely done repro-Deco building. Known as the Rheas, each nurse is named for an ailment ending in “rhea.” Need I say more?

Ok, this isn’t original, but it’s an exact replica.

Art Deco houses in Vancouver? There are a few. I ran out of time for the Barber House over on 10th Avenue, but did get to see the Crosby House (1938), a Vancouver Heritage listed building. A fine example of a concrete Streamline Moderne house, no doubt a good choice for Canadian winters. I wonder how they manage snow on the roof, though.

The Crosby house

Take the ferry to Victoria Island and you’ll find three more Moderne houses. This first one faces the Oak Bay Marina and was recently restored, leading to a string of awards.

Somass Drive, Victoria

Somass Drive, Victoria

And then there are what I call the Moderne Twins on King George Terrace.

Before I wrap up this tribute to Vancouver Art Deco, a bit more about the Marine Building. A reader asked if there were any details inside the Marine Building that were not aquatic designs. The answer is yes, but only the mailbox. I presume it was made elsewhere and the manufacturer didn’t get the memo.

Oh, and one more thing that got left out of the previous post–the Marine Building’s directory.

Detail, building directory, Marine Building

Also note something I missed, the skyscraper mixed in with everything else in the Marine Building’s entrance.

Detail, Marine Building arch (note skyscraper at lower left)