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Online Heritage Inventory

South Terminal Heritage Area

General Information
Thumbnail photograph of South Terminal Heritage Area
Click to see full image
Type of Resource: Heritage Area
Common Name: South Terminal Heritage Area
Address:
Neighbourhood (Planning Area Name): Sea Island
Construction Date: 1929-1968.
Current Owner: Federal Government
Designated: No

Statement of Significance
Description of Site
The South Terminal Heritage Area is Vancouver’s first airport, a small-scaled facility located on the south shore of Sea Island. The heritage area includes three historic airport-related buildings and many newer buildings and structures of similar scale, the still-visible original pattern of development, and several adjacent runways.

 Statement of Values
Opened in 1931 as the Vancouver Civic Airport, the primary heritage value of the South Terminal is its historical significance as Vancouver’s first airport. Associated with the early development of the aviation industry in the city, it helped Richmond come of age during World War II, and is still an important component of the international airport operation.
Aesthetically, the South Terminal is important due to a combination of its scale, low built form and the layout of its overall structure. The three major historic structures that remain, the two hangars and the Boeing Production Plant, are landmarks that are recognizable from outside the heritage area. These structures, built during the 1930’s, are significant examples of utilitarian airport development. They help to maintain and make visible the original pattern of development and the historic character of the South Terminal which was based on early plans produced by William Templeton, a pilot and the airport’s first manager.

 Character Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of the site include:
· The continuity of use of the South Terminal and its focus as a regional airport.
· The still-visible arrangement of the area around the original planned development and circulation patterns, which included a looped access road.
· Its river edge location, originally chosen to implement a plan to accommodate float planes with a constructed lagoon.
· The scale, massing and nature of the built form, including the three important historic buildings.
· Small-scale elements relating to its use as an airport, illustrated by the presence of aircraft of various types, aircraft related machinery, and the small red and white runway location buildings visible in the distance, all of which contribute a great deal to the area’s historic character.
· The clearly defined edges of the heritage area which create the visual expression of a bounded, cohesive whole.
· The flat, open topography and the views from the site which include the mountains to the north, the Middle Arm, Swishwash Island and Terra Nova to the south.
· The South Terminal as a symbol of Richmond’s involvement in the war effort and the City’s coming of age during the war.

 History
The South Terminal Heritage Area is Vancouver’s first airport, a small-scaled facility located on the south shore of Sea Island. The heritage area includes three historic airport-related buildings and many newer buildings and structures of similar scale, the still-visible original pattern of development, and several adjacent runways.

 Architectural Significance
Design Features
Significant buildings:
The two existing hangars were constructed 1931 from designs by Arthur J. Bird, Vancouver’s city architect. The construction of the Boeing Plant in 1939 marks the beginning of the Boeing Company involvement in Richmond, which was of considerable importance in the development of Sea Island. These buildings were constructed of reinforced concrete. There are a number of other significant buildings on the site which date from the same time period, including a powerhouse at the centre of the site, a large salvage hangar, the Burrard Air hangar, and the Pacific Western hangar. Several other documented buildings, such as a control tower, the middle marker, and several smaller buildings, were not located on site at this time.
Overall built form:
The extant historic buildings along with those constructed later follow loosely the early arrangement of airport structures during development. The relationship between these buildings is functional and utilitarian, allowing the day-to-day activities of the airport to proceed, and the spatial qualities are similar to those in historical photographs. It is significant that an industrial site such as this continues to use the historic buildings in the same capacity for which they were constructed. New buildings, such as the South Terminal building, have been constructed in the same locations as in the past.
Aesthetic qualities:
The overall massing and height of the terminal’s buildings unites it in a cohesive whole. The buildings exhibit an industrial character, with most new buildings sympathetic in scale to the old. There is still enough critical mass of appropriate built form to constitute a sense of the historic design, but it may deteriorate with the continued construction of new buildings

 Landscape Significance
Design Attributes
Natural features:
The river setting and the topography both played a major role in the siting and development of the South Terminal. The proximity of the site to the Fraser River allowed the development of the float plane base adjacent to the land based planes, so that both could utilize the same facilities. The flat topography of site was ideal, having been dyked and drained, for runways and other development needs of the airport. Additionally, both of these elements contribute significantly to the overall character of the terminal.

Cultural traditions:
None noted.
Circulation and open space:
Internally, the South Terminal maintains part of the originally designed circulation patterns – the circular drive leading up to the terminal. At the perimeter of the facility the open space is dominated by large mown grass, paved asphalt areas, and runways, which have a character similar to that in historical photographs. Around hangars and service buildings the open space is paved asphalt; internally there are areas of lawn, some planting, parking areas and roads. The area generally maintains the type of circulation and open space appropriate for an airport and which would have been experienced historically, although it is more constricted visually by the construction of various infill buildings and the main terminal.
Vegetation:
There is little significant vegetation at the South Airport. There is semi-natural vegetation along the river edge which has been retained with riprap, and some decorative planting around spaces used by the general public. One grouping of coniferous trees along Inglis Drive near the Boeing hangar is visible from across the river.
Views, vistas, perceptual qualities:
The location of the South Terminal and the flat topography make views a very important part of the site. Views from the site include the mountains to the north, and the river, Swishwash Island and Terra Nova to the south. These views would have been important historically both from an aviation perspective, and because they mirrored the expansiveness of the new air travel industry. Views into the site are also important as the relationship of the buildings to the topography and setting is very evident.
Water bodies or water features:
Water bodies with historical associations to the South Terminal include the Dinsmore Slough, which played a role in the early planning of the airport and is part of the geological history of Sea Island, the Fraser River, which provided a unique setting and location for float plane activities, and the major drainage ditches which provide flood protection.
Small-scale elements:
The current directional sign program at the South Terminal reflects the historic character of the area and adds to its distinction as a unique entity. The presence of aircraft of various types, aircraft related machinery, and the small red and white runway location buildings visible in the distance are elements that contribute a great deal to the area’s character.

 Integrity
Condition
Although changes have occurred over time, the South Terminal maintains a good deal of the original integrity of its significant time period, 1929-1964.
Location:
The area occupies its original Sea Island location, plus a number of important structures and circulation features are maintained in their original layout.
Design:
Integrity of design has been compromised. The design of some of the infill buildings do not respond to the earlier structures. Their locations and relationships to the existing buildings have made the spatial quality of the area more enclosed, and has changed the visual quality, detracting from its historic character.
Setting:
The South Terminal maintains a strong visual relationship with the flat topography, and the Fraser River, a relationship which is consistent with the past.
Materials:
Integrity of materials is somewhat compromised. Although some of the original materials are still used in the original way, such as asphalt, concrete and metal, infill of new material, such as fencing or buildings is not always in keeping with the original fabric or used in the same way.
Workmanship
The South Terminal continues to be developed to allow the airport and related activities to function, indicating an integrity of workmanship.
Feeling:
The South Terminal maintains a strong expression of the historic sense of place of its time period through its setting and design.
Association:
There is a direct association between the South Terminal and the history of aviation and accompanying social change in Richmond.

 Lost
No

 Documentation
Evaluated By
Denise Cook BLA, PBD (Public History)

 Date
Friday, August 10, 2001

 Documentation
Harland Bartholomew and Associates. A Preliminary Report upon an Airport Plan, Metropolitan Area of Vancouver, Vancouver Town Planning Commission, 1946. VIA South Terminal Reference Files, Location #6159, Richmond Archives.
Hynek, Barbara. “Early Flights in Minoru Park” in Historical Vignettes of Richmond, Richmond Centennial Society, 1979. Government Publications, Richmond Archives.
Inventory Sheets/Heritage Tree Inventory Sheets by Foundation Group Designs, January 1989, Richmond Archives.
Ross, Leslie J. Richmond, Child of the Fraser, Richmond Centennial Society, Richmond, B.C., 1979.
Vancouver Airport Board. “History of Airport Development to 1955”. VIA South Terminal reference file, Richmond Archives.
Historical Photographs:
Many images from the Eric Rathborne fonds, Items #1997 5 1 to 1997 5 111, Richmond Archives.
Location and Type of Plans Found:
City of Vancouver: Preliminary drawing of airport and seaplane harbour, Sea Island, Municipality of Richmond, B.C., by William Templeton c. 1929. Misc. Planning Department Maps, Item #1985 94 2, Richmond Archives.
Municipality Sheets of Richmond 1925. Misc. Planning Department Maps, MR SE 520, Richmond Archives.
Map of Richmond Municipality, 1937. Misc. Planning Department Maps, Item #1987 38 1, Richmond Archives.
Underwriter’s Survey Bureau Fire Insurance Plans, 1960. VIA South Terminal Reference Files, Location #6159, Richmond Archives.
Waterworks Atlas Map, 1936. Municipal Records, Item #1991 40, Location # Maps 20, Richmond Archives.

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