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McBarge: Abandoned, Floating McDonald's Restaurant to Undergo Renovation (PHOTOS)
McBarge: Abandoned, Floating McDonald's Restaurant to Undergo Renovation (PHOTOS)
Jan 17, 2024 3:40 PM

The "McBarge," an abandoned floating McDonald's restaurant in Vancouver, Canada, which has been anchored in Burrard Inlet and battered by storms and winds for almost 30 years, may soon have a second life as a brand-new attraction. Renovations to the iconic 80s landmark are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The barge, officially called Friendship 500, was set to become one of the most unique places to enjoy a Happy Meal. Built to showcase technology and architecture at the 1986 World Expo, it was a hit at the six-month event, with its slick interiors and workers in nautical-themed uniforms. But the novelty quickly wore off and the 187ft-long McBarge was abandoned soon after.

Today, the now-derelict McBarge is accessible by boat and popular with urban explorers. There's a Facebook page dedicated to it, and it recently garnered renewed attention after photos of the vessel were posted on Reddit. The eerie images that have been shared on social media show the boat in a crumbling state: covered in rust, graffiti and dirt.

An for the 1986 World Expo featuring the restaurant:

But the concrete-and-steel behemoth might soon be undergoing a $3 million renovation. In December, the owner of the vessel said the McBarge, which was originally built for $12 million,will have a second life as a new attraction."It will be restored and refitted,"Howard Meakin, president of Sturgeon's Developments, told the Vancouver Sun. "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."

Meakin, who initially planned to turn the barge into a floating restaurant and pub, said the renovations will take place this year, which marks the 30th anniversary of the 1986 Expo. "It's going to look like a brand new facility," he said.

In the meantine, fast-food lovers looking for an extraordinary place to eat a Big Mac can visit the McDonald's Airplane in Taupo, New Zealand or the UFO-shaped McDonald's in Roswell, New Mexico.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Abandoned Theme Parks Around the World

1. Dinosaur Land, Tamworth, England

The abandoned dinosaur-themed attraction was part of Drayton Manor Park in Tamworth, England. It featured replicas of T-rex, a mammoth and other prehistoric creatures. (Jason Kirkham/Media Drum World)

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