Sears, Pacific Centre - A Proposal

If you live in Vancouver, and probably even if you've just visited, you know the building I'm talking about without even seeing a picture. It's that big white block on Robson between Howe and Granville - the Sears store, formerly Eaton's.

Call it weird, ugly or whatever you want, it's an excellent representation of the architecture of the 1970s. Unfortunately the white exterior (not ideally suited to a rainy, damp climate) is looking very tired and dirty because it no longer gets cleaned. Older photos of the building show it gleaming.

But the dirt is not the problem I'm proposing to fix (though it should coincide with the project). The issue I have with this building is how it almost completely turns it's back on a street that is otherwise alive with storefronts and display windows. It's a dead block on Vancouver's greatest street, having only a few entries on its exterior and not even any display windows along the sidewalk. Like all department stores of the era, and even many today, windows, and god forbid natural light, were the enemy. Even beautiful old department stores like our very own Bay on Georgia covered over all their windows in favour of "superior" artificial lighting. Have you ever seen a more dead facade than that of the Bay or similar buildings with their windows blackened? Fortunately we have now learned the error of our ways and department stores like the new Holt Renfrew are showing how it should be done, with windows and skylights all around.

Now you may think that based on the above, I don't like the Sears building. Although there was a time that I would have agreed with the masses about its ugliness, I have come to appreciate (maybe even "like") this white block. In a society where we are often too quick to say "tear it down" in order to build anew, and where only the oldest buildings are deemed to hold any historical and cultural value, we need to realize that buildings like this and of its era do have value. Buildings of the 50s, 60s and 70s are really the "heritage" buildings of today and the future. They represent the architectural and cultural beliefs of their time. The Sears building is a great example of 1970s architecture and design. I'm not saying it should be copied, but respected and learned from - and of course the reason of this article, be improved.

This proposal is really three:

1. Work with the building as it stands.
2. Perform a major overhaul of the building, particularly at street level.
3. Demolish it. (I know this contradicts my last paragraph, but bear with me).

1. Work with the building as it stands.

As you can see in the pictures above, there is great potential to liven up this building and it's not being used. Only occasionally have I seen these large billboards used above the entry or the banners in place along the sides. The parts for everything are already there, even lighting. Such a simple project would really brighten up the otherwise plain facade. Even the City of Vancouver has recognized the potential in their redesign of Granville Street, proposing to use the east facade as a large projection screen. Oh, and of course, clean the darn facade already!

Granville Street Redesign
Design plan 1
Design plan 2

2. Perform a major overhaul

The biggest problem with this building is how it closes itself off from the street. Other than the few entrances into the store, the walls are blank, without even a display window. The first few levels of the store are busy, but up higher it's almost like a ghost town.

I propose to blast out the walls throughout the first level (maybe even the second) on all sides. Subdivide the space along the exterior into smaller retail units and of course install clear glass storefronts. These could be "shop-in-shops" or boutiques of the store's existing brands each with their own street entrance to drive traffic. Alternatively (and I think this is the better option), maintain the busiest entries into the Sears store but sublease the new spaces to other retailers. With the rents one can charge on Robson Street (and Granville and Howe for that matter) it would be a sure way to generate profit, and would also increase overall traffic. Either way, the number of doors onto the street increases, driving more traffic and making the window shopping far more interesting.

For the upper levels of the store, there are a couple of options. The first would be to combine this option with #1 and bring the exterior alive. The second would be to open up windows on the upper levels, and maybe even convert those levels to offices. Putting windows into the mainly blank facade, while maintaining the architectural integrity of the 1970s design would be a challenge, but I think it could be very successful.

3. Demolish it.

Now that I've gone on about saving this building, and what an icon it is/could be, here's an idea that is drastic, but to be honest, I think I favour.

It's a widely agreed-upon fact that Vancouver seriously lacks a true public square/event plaza. Think Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, Olympic Plaza in Calgary, Union Square in New York, and the many smaller squares throughout downtown Montreal. For such a large, vibrant city I've always been intrigued that Vancouver lacks such a public gathering place. Plazas like this are great people watching places every day, and can host large special events like rallies, protests, concerts and fairs. Maybe even a farmers market. Nothing like this exists in Vancouver, and it's hard to argue that there is a better spot for one than where the Sears building currently sits. In conjunction with the adjacent Robson Square and Art Gallery, and its location smack in the centre of downtown, this plaza would be a winner. Here are a few examples of city squares:

Now of course the city would have to pay a pretty high price and/or work out some amazing deal with the landlord, Cadillac Fairview. But CF could still keep the lower levels of Pacific Centre Mall beneath the plaza, and theoretically could expand below the art gallery as was done in Montreal at Promenades Cathédral. To build the Promenades, the existing church on the site was temporarily lifted up while the ground beneath it was removed and the new foundation built. Entrances to the mall could be located around the perimeter of the plaza. Could the city make a trade to make this happen? It's a long shot, I'll admit, but it would result in an amazing public space in an amazing downtown.

In summary, there are a lot of options to revive this iconic, weird, ugly, beautiful building. What is your favourite idea...or do you have another one?