Near YVR's South Terminal, which used to serve as the main terminal, is a federal heritage building recognized for its historical, architectural and environmental values.
The Harbour Air Hangar, a two-storey concrete building at 4670 Cowley Cres. near the Flying Beaver Bar & Grill, was built in 1930.
Also known as Building T-018, the hangar is "one of the earliest representations of the federal government’s 1928 program to construct the Trans-Canada Airway," according to the Parks Canada directory.
It is also a City of Richmond-designated heritage building.
The hangar was built to serve the new Vancouver airport, previously named Sea Island Airport and Seaplane Harbour, which opened in 1931.
The building is one of two buildings left from the era and is "one of the best examples to illustrate" the initial phase of YVR's development and the establishment of the country's first airports in the 1930s, according to Parks Canada.
The architectural value of the hangar lies in its building type and Modernist Art Deco style, as well as the usage of the Lamella roof system to meet clear span requirements.
As well, the hangar "is compatible with the present heterogeneous character" of the South Terminal area.
"Despite later additions to the north and east, its continued use for seaplanes contributes to the retention of the historic relationship between the building and its surroundings," reads the entry in the Parks Canada directory.
"The hangar is a familiar landmark in the community of Richmond."
In a statement to the Richmond News, YVR confirmed it is working on the "best and most realistic solutions" for future redevelopment in the area.
"YVR is aware of the hangar’s history on Sea Island, and we are interested in maintaining as much of the historical significance of the structure as possible," reads the statement.
"To that end, we are in discussions with a heritage expert to establish a plan to achieve that objective."
For more information about the Harbour Air Hangar, click here.
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