In 1989 the City of North Vancouver demolished the St. Alice Hotel, a five-story brick structure on Second Street in Lower Lonsdale.
Built 1911-1912 by Antonio Gallia and named for his wife Alicia, the hotel saw many different uses, including during the Second World War when it became wartime housing.
The demolition made way for a new luxury high-rise building, after it was determined that restoring the original structure would cost an estimated $1.7-1.8 million. The move was controversial, even causing Bryan Adams to deem its loss as “tragic” and to call Mayor Jack Loucks to express his outrage.
Visit the MONOVA website for more information about the history of the North Shore and to plan your visit to MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver, now open at 115 West Esplanade in The Shipyards.
Currently, MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver, at 3203 Institute Road in Lynn Valley, is open for drop-ins on Monday and by appointment Tuesday-Friday, 12:30-4 p.m. Contact: [email protected]
Navigate culture on the North Shore by using the North Shore Culture Compass.
