The Lee Building contains many wonderful features such as one of the original elevators which today is unused as it has been for many years, blocked off but visible from the main hall.  Gorgeous copper walls, ceiling and an antique chandelier adorn the elevator.  The hallway marble floors and walls are beautiful and the structure of steel pillars encased in concrete is very sound & earthquake-proof.  The stairs are made of marble also and the view from the rooftop is amazing.  The view down the staircase from the top beckons for a film crew to be using that area for a film production.  Apartments and businesses occupy the building.  There is a large wall photo up the stairs from the main hallway of the building.  This photo was taken about 1916.  The south sidewalk corridor was created in the 1950's as a sidewalk needed to be established when Broadway was widened.  I've been told that is the only building in Vancouver with an overhang like this.  There are bus lines and a street lamp connected directly to the building as it is right against the roadway.   

Unfortunately, my grandfather, Herbert Lee, lost the Lee Building to the bank during the depression.  The 1929 crash caused the bank to foreclose and reclaim the building, but my grandparents and father were allowed to remain living on the top floor all through the 30s and 40s.  My grandparents are buried at Mountainview Cemetary and I have provided the cemetary with a family photo for their records.  See their Herbert Lee page.  The building is currently owned by over thirty people today. 

The billboard on top of the building has been the cause of some legal action with the owners and city council.  See article at vancourier.com.  My opinion is that the sign has been very beneficial in renovations & upkeep of the building and would be best allowed to remain for the ability to renovate and upkeep as necessary.  The building has come a long way & more can be done with it.  Being the granddaughter of the person who built this building 94 years ago which stands as a very important part of the history of Vancouver I believe my grandfather would be proud.  The history of this area and building is fascinating and I am very glad it stands today and is being so well kept.  Thank you owners!  

I have researched my Lee family history back to England and Ireland and the trail has been relatively easy with archived records.  Pam, in Isle of Wight, England, did some research for me re: Isle of Wight and we've now taken the history back one more generation to records of the 1700's.    Bob, in Eastbourne, did research for me also.  Thanks!  I have connected with family relatives and have more yet to do.  I've begun the Ireland connection and some helpful people have given me the next steps in the search.  It's been wonderful.  The next steps are going to be best done with me in England and Ireland.  I'm looking forward to the trip.

See Mount Pleasant for history of the area. 

*There is a stone plaque kitty corner to the building on the other side of the street that shows a photo from 1908.  To see this photo go to the Vancouver Library page at photo and type in 'Main at Broadway'  or VPL Accession Number: 6718 to see the photo that is on the plaque & others.  This is the corner prior to the building being built.  See 'Lee' - my grandfathers grocery store - in the background behind the people.  Thanks to the Vancouver Library & to Philip Timms. 

 

These photos below are compliments of the Mt. Pleasant Business Association.

EARLY PHOTOS

 

1908 Kingsway and Main. Before the Lee Building was built.  The location is where the lady is standing in the middle of the street: she is standing in front of my grandfather's store before he built the Lee Building next door.

 

   1927 The Lee Building in the background

 

   1927 The Lee Building, before the sidewalk corridor was created on the Broadway side.