The Vancouver Arts Centre is housed in the former Albany Cottage Hospital, which was built in 1887 to the design of the then Colonial Architect, George Temple Poole. This building remained a hospital until 1962. For the next 10 years, it served as a school hostel and holiday accommodation, and then fell into disuse and for eight years lay neglected and prey to vandals.
In 1980, a major refurbishment program began, and the complex was transformed to a vibrant arts and crafts centre.
