A historic fragment of a bygone era
Blood Alley in Gastown conserves the Stanley and New Fountain Hotel façades, while rehabilitating the overall site by building a new street wall and mid-rise tower behind the historical façades. The scale and proportion of the streetscape façades have been sensitively scaled to contribute to the conservation of Gastown’s heritage character and fabric.
The Blood Alley Ghost Lobby brings history to life and draws inspiration from the original Stanley Hotel bar from 1906. The bar backed onto Vancouver’s first alley, Trounce Alley (now Blood Alley), which was gravelled to accommodate a horse stable for WR Lewis’ Royal Mail Stagecoach.
The Ghost Lobby was designed as if it has been left untouched since the turn of the 20th century. In partnership with Sholto Design Studio, the vision was brought to life by meticulous research. A team of local craftspeople ensured that every detail was historically accurate, including the coats, coins and poker chips featured within the space.
Painted entirely white, the lobby is a minimalist interpretation of original 19th century bar that honours the history of the area, and provides a contemplative experience for residents and visitors alike.
Type
Location
Vancouver, BC
Size
430 ft2
The Blood Alley Ghost Bar Lobby design is conceptually a fossil of the original Stanley Hotel lobby, which was also a saloon. My uncle, Norman Paul worked there as a boy, helping his father who managed the hotel. The 'white out' concept was inspired by the 1980’s surreal work of James Wines and the horse a reference to the stables which once were at the rear of the hotel.
Gregory Henriquez
Stanley Hotel Bar, c. 1914 
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