The Cultch | Vancouver East Cultural Centre
2010-2011: Vancouver's most intimate venue. Contemporary theatre, dance and music

York Theatre

Located at the corner of East Georgia and Commercial Drive, the York Theatre, most recently known as the Raja Theatre, faced demolition until 2008. As a result of long and hard-fought community action, Wall Financial Corporation and The Cultch formed a partnership, with the support of the City of Vancouver, to save the York Theatre and restore the building.

The York Theatre will be renovated and restored to a LEED Gold Standard. Once the renovations are complete, this purpose-built theatre will have approximately 350 seats and will include a fly tower and orchestra pit. This is very much a restoration and upgrade as most of the original theatre built in 1913 will remain intact. Additions to the front and south side of the building that were made in the 1960s will be demolished and a new two-story glass lobby will be built. The exterior of the original theatre will be restored to its 1940s-era art deco finish to reflect a time when the theatre was known as the York Theatre and the home of the Vancouver Little Theatre. The drawings for a rezoning and development permit have been submitted to the City of Vancouver as a part of the approval process.

The Cultch is aiming for construction to begin in early 2011 and once begun, the restoration will take a year to complete. The restoration, led by architect Gregory Henriquez, includes the addition of a two-storey glass lobby that will look onto the street. When completed, the new theatre will be operated by The Cultch and be primarily a rental venue used by a variety of arts and community groups for performances and other special events.

The York’s restoration, when combined with The Cultch Historic Theatre, the Vancity Culture Lab, and the clubs, restaurants and other amenities on Commercial Drive, will solidify Grandview/Strathcona as a major cultural district in East Vancouver, while revitalizing the Drive between Venables and Hastings Street.