Cineplex built Granville over three properties: the Palms Hotel
as the south end, the Coronet Theatre as the north end, and miscellaneous
store x that was in between.
The Palms Hotel is interesting in its own right as it was originally
built in the early 20th century, then called ‘Almond Block’.
The facade is currently protected as heritage. The relief on the
north facade (dubbed “The Dancer”, from the days of
the Paradise Theatre) is considered heritage, but has no protection
and can be demolished.
If you look very closely in #6 you can still see some of the
old Coronet details, even though they have been painted over
Empire Theaters took over for Cineplex Odeon in 2005
If you look on the web site cinematour.com there are 63 photos
of the Granville Cinemas, and it looks like Cinemas 6 and 7 are
the original Coronet theatre.
When Odeon Theater Group decided to build a multiplex, they purchased
a neighboring building next to the Coronet and retained the facade
although the rest of the building was gutted. The Coronet, originally
opened in 1929 as the Globe until 1935, renamed The Paradise in
1938 and then the Coronet in 1964. The Coronet was later twinned.
The Coronet still exist where it was merged with the new construction
on the left. The Coronet face remains but the interior auditoriums
was heavily renovated. |
Granville
Street looking south from Robson Street, 1970.
