upgrading a historic transportation hub
The Beaux Arts style Pacific Central Station was completed in 1919 and represents the geographic expansion that was taking place in the new world economy. Over the years, rail traffic declined and the station suffered from reduced revenue, which led to a lack of maintenance, leaving the building in a precarious state. Throughout the conservation process, the building’s structure and cladding were carefully analyzed to determine causes of stone deterioration and the best methods of repair.
The original andesite cladding was subject to water infiltration, cracking, inappropriate cleaning and structural settlement. Some areas of the stone were saturated and stained due to deteriorated flashings, loss of bedding mortar and biological buildup. The consultant team (architectural, heritage, and structural) examined the entire building to determine the cause of the defects and the best course of remedial action. Traditional and modern technologies in masonry and stone conservation were employed to reclaim, rather than replace, structural elements. This involved a stone-by-stone documentation of the entire building, with recommendations for techniques such as in-kind mortar repair, microflashings, re-dressing and re-tooling of damaged surfaces, stain poultices and stainless steel clamps. The work has resulted in a seamless restoration, revealing Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station in its original splendour.
