Soon another Vancouver theatre will be seeing the wrecking ball as developer Cressy plans to tear down the Ridge Theatre as part of a $60-million redevelopment plan that includes four storey concrete condos (approx. 50 units) and a 22,000 square foot food store. This will alter the landscape of West 16th and Arbutus. It will also have heritage advocates up in arms and rightfully so. Many will say how saddened they are and one wonders have they or will they ever venture to the Ridge theatre.
It’s sad to see another theatre meet the wrecking ball, however, the writing was on the wall for the 63-year-old theatre, which is leased by Festival Cinemas.
Having said that, the theatre was well used and perhaps the City of Vancouver could recommend that Cressey have to rebuild another theatre at the same site. Maybe grant them additional density for another project. In order to do so the city will have to relax the parking requirements for the site. If there is a will, I’m sure there is a way. We’ll see how this all plays out.
No formal proposal has been received by the City of Vancouver. When they release plans, we’ll publish them.
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