History & Context
The area around Main & Union has a complex history. A diverse community, and once the heart of Vancouver’s Black community, residents and businesses were displaced by the planning policies of the time and the construction of the Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts. While at the edge of Chinatown, Main & Union will be profoundly shaped by a number of planning initiatives in the area, including the new St. Paul’s Hospital, the North East False Creek Plan, the removal of the Viaducts, and the development plans for the Hogan’s Alley block.
Hogan’s Alley
Vancouver’s Black community had a firmly established presence in the area by the 1920s with the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Fountain Chapel, located near Jackson Avenue and Prior Street. The community continued to flourish thanks to the proximity of the Great Northern Railway station, where many were employed. The area came to be known for its restaurants and music halls, which developed around an area known as Hogan’s Alley, located between Union Street and Prior Street. Hogan’s Alley became a social hub and popular gathering place for the area’s growing community.
The famous Vie’s Chicken and Steak House —a popular establishment associated with Hogan’s Alley—was located on the now-empty lot on the east side of the property.
The project team is working with the descendants of Vie Moore and the Vancouver Mural Festival to develop a commemorative piece to reflect the history and context of the site.
The construction of the Georgia and Dunsmir Viaducts had a significant and irreversible impact on the area and its former residents. The history of the area—particularly for Vancouverites of African descent—should be recognized. Bonnis has agreed to a Right of First Refusal with the Hogan’s Alley Society for a ground-level retail unit to support economic opportunities for the African Descent community.