Russian Hall

An unassuming building in Vancouver's East Side holds a storied history and an influence that extends far beyond the local Slavic community

Location
Vancouver, BC
Completion
2016
Size
5,000 sq ft

From 1937 to 2016

Originally constructed in 1937 by the local Croatian community, the building is now owned by the Federation of Russian Canadians and is open to all for cultural and community activities. To bring new life to the storied facility, we completed a complete facelift that included:

Adding acoustic ceiling panels, refinishing the main stage flooring, and installing a new, programable theatre lighting system
Installing a feature glass block wall, custom built solid wood entry doors, signage and concrete bench/wheelchair ramp in the lobby and reception area
Gutting, redesigning, and refinishing the washrooms
Refinishing the worn 80-year-old fir flooring in the lower hall
Updating the live-in caretaker’s suite, including new kitchen millwork and appliances
Exposing 12″x14″ structural fir beams in the board rooms
Installing new windows and curtain wall assemblies at the north and south ends of the building

The renovation breathed new life into this hard-working facility, ensuring it will continue to serve its community for decades to come.

How many buildings serve as inspiration for a panto play?

Not many.

Yet the Russian Hall has played both host and muse to the city’s theatre community, including the panto-producing company, Theatre Replacement.

East Vancouver is well-known for its local artists and artisans, crafters and makers, performance spaces and galleries. So many that the Eastside Arts District is home to the largest concentration of artists in all of Canada!

Nestled within this dynamic neighbourhood sits the Russian Hall, which has long served the diverse artistic community as a rehearsal, performance, and event space. The exterior mural—commissioned in 2009 and covering over 5,000 square feet of the facade—pays homage to the community through imagery of folk musicians, dancers, and other local elements.