Following the recent news that now-shuttered Vancouver venue the Railway Club had been bought by new owners, we now know those buyers are none other than the city's Donnelly Group.
Today (January 13) the hospitality giant announced its purchase of the historic venue, and no doubt to the disappointment of many, the Railway Club space will no longer serve as a music venue.
In a statement, Donnelly Group's Chad Cole stated, "We've hosted lots of live music at our pubs over the years, but unfortunately it's not going to be a core element of this new pub."
However, he did add, "We're looking at some authentic ways we can pay tribute to the history of the location, and we're going to work with the local live music community to keep the spirit of Railway Club alive."
As the owner of such Vancouver nightspots as Lamplighter, Cinema, Library Square and the Bimini, Donnelly Group now plans to donate some of the "historic fixtures and interior elements" of the Railway Club to the Museum of Vancouver.
The Railway Club opened in 1931 and began hosting concerts in 1981, only to close in March after going on sale and failing to find a new owner.
Over the years, it hosted a countless number of bands, such as the Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, Jonathan Richman, Cowboy Junkies and T-Bone Burnett, as well as many local acts.
The new as-yet-named Donnelly Group pub will be undergoing renovations, which are expected to finish this spring.
Today (January 13) the hospitality giant announced its purchase of the historic venue, and no doubt to the disappointment of many, the Railway Club space will no longer serve as a music venue.
In a statement, Donnelly Group's Chad Cole stated, "We've hosted lots of live music at our pubs over the years, but unfortunately it's not going to be a core element of this new pub."
However, he did add, "We're looking at some authentic ways we can pay tribute to the history of the location, and we're going to work with the local live music community to keep the spirit of Railway Club alive."
As the owner of such Vancouver nightspots as Lamplighter, Cinema, Library Square and the Bimini, Donnelly Group now plans to donate some of the "historic fixtures and interior elements" of the Railway Club to the Museum of Vancouver.
The Railway Club opened in 1931 and began hosting concerts in 1981, only to close in March after going on sale and failing to find a new owner.
Over the years, it hosted a countless number of bands, such as the Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, Jonathan Richman, Cowboy Junkies and T-Bone Burnett, as well as many local acts.
The new as-yet-named Donnelly Group pub will be undergoing renovations, which are expected to finish this spring.
