Heritage Timeline
The Beginning
Originally constructed as the Nordstrom Trading Post - yeah, not THAT Nordstrom - by Norwegian immigrants who figured Vancouver's rain felt just like home. The building served Nordic sailors and traders looking for a slice of the old country.
Post-War Revival
The Thorvaldsen family took over, converting the upper floors into lodging rooms while maintaining the ground floor's cultural gathering space. Apparently, grandmother Astrid's meatballs were legendary enough to keep people coming back.
Heritage Status
Officially designated a heritage building. This meant we couldn't tear anything down even if we wanted to - which honestly saved us from some truly questionable 80s renovation ideas the previous owners had sketched out.
The Restoration
Current ownership began the painstaking restoration project. Took us three years, two heritage consultants, and one very patient contractor who didn't laugh too hard at our insistence on authenticity.
Grand Reopening
Mythrune Continuum Hotel officially opened its doors. We kept the bones, added modern comfort, and somehow convinced people that sleeping in a building older than their grandparents is actually pretty cool.
How We Got Here
Look, we'll be straight with you - running a heritage hotel wasn't exactly in the original life plan. The building kinda chose us, if that doesn't sound too mystical. Walking through these doors back in 2018, there was just... something. Maybe it was the hand-carved timber beams, maybe it was the lingering smell of a century's worth of stories, or maybe we'd had too much coffee that morning.
But seriously, the place was a mess. Beautiful bones, sure, but we're talking wallpaper from at least four different decades (none of them good), plumbing that would've made a medieval castle jealous, and enough electrical issues to make a fire marshal weep.
We spent three years bringing it back. Not just slapping on some paint and calling it 'restored' - we went deep. Original floorboards refinished by hand, period-appropriate fixtures tracked down from estate sales across BC, and yes, we did argue with the heritage committee about literally everything. Worth it though.
The Nordic Connection
People always ask about the 'Mythrune' name and the whole Nordic thing. It's not just aesthetic - though let's be real, Viking-era design elements are objectively cool. The original builders were Norwegian immigrants who wanted to create a piece of home on Canada's west coast.
When we took over, we found journals and letters in the attic (yes, really) that talked about Norse mythology, the old traditions, and how they wanted this place to be a bridge between worlds. A 'continuum' connecting past and present. Pretty heavy stuff for what was basically a boarding house, but we respected the vision.
Our Philosophy
"Don't just preserve the building - preserve the feeling. Modern luxury shouldn't erase history, it should let you experience it without sacrificing your comfort or Wi-Fi connection."
- Elena Thorson, Owner & Curator
What Drives Us
We're not about stuffy museum vibes. Yeah, the building's old and significant, but it's meant to be lived in. Every room tells a story, and now your stay becomes part of that ongoing narrative.
Meet Elena
Former architect who got tired of designing soulless glass towers. Grew up spending summers in Norway with family, which explains both the obsession with heritage preservation and the slightly unhealthy relationship with aquavit.
The transition from corporate architecture to boutique hotel owner was... let's call it 'interesting.' Turns out designing buildings and actually running one are wildly different skill sets. Who knew you'd need to know about thread counts AND load-bearing walls?
But here's the thing - every guest who walks through those doors and gets it, who feels that connection to something older and deeper, makes every construction headache and permit battle worth it. This place has a soul, and we're just lucky enough to be its current caretakers.
"I wanted to create a space where history isn't just preserved behind velvet ropes - it's part of your everyday experience. Where you can sleep in a heritage room, take a Nordic-inspired sauna, and still get excellent coffee and decent Wi-Fi. Is that too much to ask?"
What We Actually Care About
Heritage Integrity
No fake distressing or manufactured 'vintage vibes' here. Everything original stays original. Everything new is honest about being new. We don't pretend the elevator shaft is from 1892.
Real Hospitality
We're not robots reading from a script. Our staff actually knows the building's history and Vancouver's best spots. They'll tell you where to eat like a local, not just hand you a tourist brochure.
Sustainable Luxury
Old buildings are inherently sustainable - we didn't tear down and rebuild. But we've also added modern efficiency where it counts. Solar panels on the roof, greywater systems, local suppliers for everything possible.
Cultural Connection
The Nordic heritage isn't just decoration. We work with cultural historians, host storytelling evenings, and yeah, occasionally we've got someone teaching rune-carving in the workshop space. It's niche, but it's genuine.
