the Vouge Theatre is a well known classic among Vancouver’s various musical venues. It was originally built way back in 1941, where it was strictly showing movies and performative arts, a combo seen as unusual back then. In this current day and age, it also supports live music, community events, and rentals.

In 1993, Vouge Theatre was officially recognized as a historic site in the eyes of the government due to the various reasons though one visible reason is the buildings architecture. It’s preservation of the styles the 1940’s where known for is a big seller, while also capturing the idea that functionality and aesthetic can go hand in hand. For example, the venue’s curved walls aren’t just there to please the eyes of customers, but to act as acoustic enhancements.

The style of Vouge Theatre has bled into that of other venues, symbolizing Vouge’s status as a veteran of the Granville Strip and Theatre Row.

in 2006, Vouge Theatre was bought by the Gibbons Hospitality Group (Now known as the MRG Group) who quickly proposed that the theatre be converted. Into what? Well, an ‘entertainment club’ of course… The number one concern people had with the concept of a conversion was not the loss of the movies and performative arts, but more about whether or not the change would include big differences in the buildings original interior.

While this initial plan was still being thought out, Vouge Theatre found it’s way onto the Top 10 Endangered Places list in 2007, but has since had it’s status changed to ‘saved.’ It would seem as though the original status of being an endangered place may have been due to the costs of rehabilitating the theatre, alongside the uncertainty of whether or not financial assistance from the federal government would actually come. Due to the venue being recognized as a historic site, it should’ve been able to receive any kind of support. unfortunately, there is an ongoing lack of protection and support Canada’s National Historic Sites.

Luckily, in 2010, the MRG group instead went ahead with a rehabilitation plan over a conversion plan. The results of this were a repaint with the theatre original colours, restoration of the classic neon sign, an expansion of the main stage, installation of a new boiler, and installation of a high-definition projector.

The venue’s website offers lots in terms of information, both through their about page and FAQ. If you’d like to check it out for yourself, you can do so here:
https://voguetheatre.com/