Englesea Lodge

Most people have not heard of the Englesea Lodge which once stood on Beach Avenue at English Bay next to the pier.

I only became aware of it because of Peters grandfather; Charles lived there till he passes away. Charles was a retired purser of the Empress ships and had a history of sailing.

After his wife Kathleen passed away, he still had a young unmarried daughter Margeret. They both resided at the Sylvia Apartments on Beach Avenue and after Margaret was married, he moved into the Englesea Lodge a short distance from there.

The view from the Sylvia Apartments with the Lodge in the background. The same architect was involved in the design of both the Sylvia and the Englesea Lodge. The red brick buildings resembled each other. The Englesea Lodge was on the beach next to the old pier. It was a landmark that could not be mistaken. The Vancouver Park Board started buying the old neighbouring houses that accompanied the Lodge on the beach. 

Eventually, the Lodge stood by itself, firmly positioned and jutting out on the beach. The Park Board approached the owner to purchase the property, but he refused. Later he agreed to sell, but the residents were not agreeable to vacate their homes on the beach with an ocean view.

In 1981, as we watched the evening news on the Television, we were informed that the Lodge had burned down. Luckily there was no one around when the fire mysteriously started in the basement and the Englesea Lodge was no longer in anyone's way. 

Space was cleared to make room for the beach. With this landmark removed, it was the start of a changing Vancouver skyline. 

Today, Vancouver's skyline is undergoing another transition with canes, hovering above the tall skyscrapers. From where I live I can see 17 cranes, a city that is changing forever.