Le Magasin + Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery

Le Magasin + Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery

Client  ·  Coastal Peoples Gallery
Location  ·  Vancouver, BC, Canada
Completion  ·  2017

Architecture  ·  KRA
Interior Design  ·  KRA
Construction Management  ·  Kindred Construction


In 2015, KRA was retained to renovate and refresh the interior and façade of the historic Le Magasin arcade in Vancouver’s Gastown neighbourhood. Careful consideration was placed to preserve character-defining features and to enhance the historic value of the original design.


Once known as the Homer Street Arcade, Le Magasin was built in 1912 where it was the only building of its kind in Vancouver’s Gastown Historic District. The building was designated Heritage and serves as a prime example of Edwardian Architecture in Vancouver.


This historic gem is nestled between neighbouring buildings, and the structure was designed to accommodate additional storeys if expansion was required. Its unique location allows frontage on both sides connected by an internal walkway. The irregular street grid allows prominent exposure to the south being treated as the front façade and receiving the most elaborate architectural detailing. The façade on the opposite side was executed in a more industrial vernacular. In the 1980s the Arcade was rehabilitated as “Le Magasin” and has continued as a retail arcade since.


Updates were made to the main floor to include renovated retail space, a new gallery space for the Coastal Peoples Gallery, as well as updated flooring, glazing, and finishes. Façade updates were also undertaken to improve visibility to the retail spaces and entry exposure. The sensitive rehabilitation respects the influences of the original form and promotes Le Magasin as a unique local shopping district.

Photography  by Lila Bujold