Where It All Started
Yeah, so this building wasn't always a hotel. Back in 1927, it was the Granville Metalworks - a legit blacksmith forge where local craftsmen hammered out everything from wrought iron gates to custom tools for the shipyards.
The place had character, you know? Those exposed brick walls you see today? They've been standing since Prohibition. The massive steel beams overhead actually supported pulley systems that moved red-hot metal around the workshop.
By the 1980s, the forge shut down like a lot of Vancouver's industrial spots. The building sat empty for years - pigeons moved in, squatters came and went. Most developers wanted to tear it down, but we saw something else entirely.
Our founder, Marcus Chen, actually used to sneak into this place as a kid. He'd explore the old workshops, find rusted tools, imagine what it was like when the fires were still burning. That connection to the building's soul? That's what drove the whole restoration vision.
"We didn't want to just preserve history - we wanted to honor the craftsmanship that happened here. Every detail in this hotel pays respect to the artisans who came before us."
When renovation started in 2019, we made a promise: keep the forge's spirit alive while making it comfortable for modern travelers. No generic hotel vibes. Just raw, honest materials combined with seriously good design.
The Transformation
2019 - Breaking Ground
Started stripping back layers of neglect. Found original forge equipment buried under decades of debris - some pieces now live in our lobby as art installations. The structural engineers were honestly amazed the bones were still this solid.
2020 - Design Philosophy
Worked with local artisans to source reclaimed materials. Those wood beams in the suites? Salvaged from old Vancouver warehouses. The custom light fixtures? Made by a metalworker whose grandfather actually worked in this very forge. Full circle moment.
2021 - Going Up
Added the rooftop lounge without compromising the building's integrity. Used the same riveted steel aesthetic as the original structure. Now you can sip cocktails where the old forge chimney once stood, overlooking the same city views workers saw nearly a century ago.
2022 - The Details
This was where things got real. Custom furniture pieces made by Vancouver craftspeople, linens sourced from sustainable suppliers, artwork featuring the building's history. Even commissioned a local photographer to document the renovation - those shots now hang throughout the hotel.
2023 - Opening Day
March 15th, 2023. We threw open the doors and honestly? The community response blew us away. Former metalworkers came by to see what we'd done with their old workplace. Families shared stories about relatives who worked here. That's when we knew we'd gotten it right.
Today - Your Story Begins
Now it's your turn to add to this building's legacy. Whether you're here for business, a weekend getaway, or just need a spot that doesn't feel like every other hotel chain - you're part of what makes this place special. The forge fires might be cold, but the creative energy? That's still burning strong.
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