Networking at Main and Hastings?

Imperial Lounge | BCBusiness
The bar at Imperial Lounge on Vancouver’s Main Street.

There’s new business afoot at the Imperial theatre near the corner of Main and Hastings Streets—and not the kind you might expect

Of all the things people go to Vancouver’s Main and Hastings corner to find, big names in (legal) business aren’t usually one of them. Yet, just half a block away from the infamous junction, that’s exactly what has been happening, and a few entrepreneurial sorts are betting that the area’s appeal will grow even more with the re-launch of Imperial, a new event space at 319 Main Street.

“The room has hosted events for Facebook, Microsoft, Blackberry, the CBC,” lists Imperial general manager Ken Phelan. “Coming up, we have everything from concerts to bar mitzvahs to the Gay Pride Legacy Awards. All sorts of different groups really love our space.”

Originally a Chinese-language movie house, in 2007 the Imperial theatre underwent a $2.5 million renovation under Oscar-nominated producer Bill Vince (Capote) to turn it into a high-end screening facility called District 319. Then, the room’s unique qualities attracted both film and business professionals for private and corporate events.

Earlier this year, a new management team with a broader vision took over. “When it was originally renovated, it was built from the ground up with quality,” says Baxter Wilson, director of business development for the Imperial. “We wanted to continue that theme. We added a world class sound and lighting system, plus other high end upgrades. When you combine our additions to an auditorium built with THX surround sound and a full HD projection system, you get something that you really have to experience to understand how awesome it is.”

With a 372 person capacity, the re-imagined venue holds a liquor-primary license and has new hardwood floors and additional seating. Other cosmetic changes have made the room more versatile than before, able to be set up according to clients’ needs for corporate events or transformed for public shows like concerts and live DJs.

At the Imperial’s recent grand opening, Vancouver city councillor Elizabeth Ball was on hand speaking of council’s support for businesses that improve the arts and culture scene on the Downtown Eastside.

Wilson says he can see that cultural shift in progress. “When you’re down there every day, you do see the drug addiction and the mental illness, but you also see people in suits and young entrepreneurs walking around. We have Chinatown on one side and Railtown on the other side. We’re in the middle with the chance to bring everyone together with something unique and cool that the city really needs. We’re excited about the opportunity to be part of positive change in the area.”