McDonald’s ‘McBarge’ Gets £2.3m Makeover After Floating Derelict For 30 Years
Believe it or not, this derelict ship was once a McDonald’s – known then as the McBarge.
The 57-metre-long vessel, officially named the Friendship 500, became the burger chain’s second floating restaurant (after one in Missouri) when it was built in 1986.
It was designed for the Expo ‘86 in Vancouver, British Columbia and moored on the Canadian city’s False Creek.
The original order point (Facebook/McBarge Friendship 500)
It’s fair to say the novelty wore off pretty quickly: the McBarge has been derelict for nearly 30 years now.
However, it has developed something of a cult following over the years – and is now undergoing a £2.3 million refit.
Its current owner is keeping quiet about his exact plans though.
It will be restored and refitted,” Howard Meakin, president of Sturgeon’s Developments, told the Vancouver Sun.
The barge was McDonald’s second floating restaurant (Facebook/McBarge Friendship 500)
“It could be in Vancouver, but it could be in other places as well. We’re not saying exactly where it’s going to be located, but the plan is that it will undergo extensive renovations.
“And I can’t tell you what the plan is. We’re under a non-disclosure agreement, but it fits in with the 30th anniversary of the Exposition. It will all happen in 2016, and we expect that it’s going to take probably most of the year to do the work.
The barge from the water (Facebook/McBarge Friendship 500)
A Facebook group with more than 1,000 members has been set up celebrating the bizarre restaurant’s existence.
Its member post to share their experiences. One wrote: “I finally remembered to join this group, I’ve known about it for a long time. I thought I would share some photos of my experience: my team and I exploring the McBarge in May 2015″
Another added: “Thanks for the add. Don’t live close but the history on this is so unique. Love love love it. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for this piece of neat history.”
(Credit: Flickr/Taz)
