Construction recently began on the former Spanky’s Legendary Consignment building in downtown Vancouver. Northwest Elite Homes purchased the building in 2021, although it has been vacant since Spanky’s closed in 2007. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)Photo Gallery
Construction is underway at the former Spanky’s building, 812 Main St., in downtown Vancouver.
Spanky’s Legendary Consignment, a downtown fixture for nearly 20 years, closed in 2007. The two-story, 9,700-square-foot building has remained vacant since.
Vancouver developer Ryan Hurley’s Ten Talents Investments owned the building and planned to remodel it. But that didn’t happen. Vancouver-based Northwest Elite Homes then bought the property in 2021, hoping to convert the building into a restaurant and office space. That project, too, stalled.
The Spanky’s sign remained attached to the building until the most recent round of construction. Now crews appear to be working to upgrade the historic space.
Vancouver’s Downtown Association Executive Director Michael Walker said the Spanky’s renovation marks a major milestone for downtown.
“After nearly a decade of inactivity, its completion will restore the urban fabric at this key intersection, improving connectivity and introducing new amenities for residents, employees and visitors,” he said.
“This investment, alongside the upcoming Main Street infrastructure project, highlights the growing confidence in the vitality and future of our Main Street district,” he added.
The building is one of the oldest in downtown Vancouver. Columbian archives show it housed a silent movie theater and a shoe store, as well as Spanky’s.
Despite the rest of downtown Vancouver’s revitalization, Ninth and Main remained a blighted area, largely due to the 812 Main St. building’s decline.
According to a city building permit for the project, contractors, including Wilson Architects, will make tenant improvements to the existing building, largely concentrated on the second floor.
The project also includes exterior work, including removing mosaic tiles, replacing the metal window frames, removing the rolling awning enclosure, replacing the wood-framed windows, removing parapet coping, removing the corner sign and removing and filling in the storefront.
Wilson has held the permit since June of last year.
Northwest Elite Homes didn’t respond to an inquiry asking what is planned for the historic building.
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