Globe (Paradise, Coronet) Theatre - 2/8 Hillgreen-Lane
Vancouver, B.C.
851 Granville St.
Organ installation timeframe: 1920 -
 
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Granville Street, looking North c.1920. Image courtesy City of Vancouver Archives, public domain
 
According to the OHS Pipe Organ Database, the Globe Theatre orignally had a 2/8 Hillgreen-Lane (opus 604) installed in 1920. Current status is unknown. The 1920 installation date listed by OHS does not reconcile with the 1922 news item shown below. Also, in reviewing the Junchen opus list for Hillgreen-Lane, number 604 would correspond to an instrument built in late 1920 or early 1921, definitely not 1922. It's possible the Hillgreen-Lane went first to another theatre and then was relocated to the Globe in 1922. Another possibility is that Hillgreen-Lane opus 604 did go into the Globe in 1920, but that the news item shown below is related to installation of a new/different organ, details unknown. However, the wording of the news item does imply that it is the first organ to be installed at the Globe.
 
This instrument is not listed in the Junchen opus lists or PSTOS Eugene Nye/Bill bunch records.
 
Trade journals from the 1920's often list new organ installations. In this case, the Canadian Moving Picture Digest, Vol 13, No 21, Mar 25, 1922, p.688 describes a new organ for the Globe Theatre.
 

 

According to the Heritage Vancouver Society, the Globe Theatre started out in 1912, designed by architect and engineer C. P. Gregory. In 1938, the theatre was updated by architect Thomas Kerr and renamed Paradise Theatre. It was at this time that the Art Moderne style facade was added. In 1964, architect Ross Lort further updated the theatre and renamed to Coronet Theatre.
 
August 1937. Image courtesy Vancouver Public Library, public domain
 
Ticket from the Globe, sometime before 1938
 
September 1938. The remodel to "Paradise" is underway. Image courtesy Vancouver Public Library, public domain
 
c.1939. Image courtesy Vancouver Public Library, public domain
 
1946
 
c.1959. Image courtesy City of Vancouver Archives, public domain.
 
July 8, 1964 - Opening day as the Coronet. Image courtesy Vancouver Public Library, public domain.
 
According to the Heritage Vancouver Society, the theatre changed names to Granville Cineplex in 1986. In 2005 it was renamed Empire Granville & Cinemas, before ultimately closing in 2012.
 
Art Moderne facade c.2016. Image courtesy Heritage Vancouver Society