Central Vancouver in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia — Canadas West Coast (North America)
Nagle Bros. Garage
Architects: McCarter & Nairne
Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 14, 2023
1. Nagle Bros. Garage Marker
Inscription.
Nagle Bros. Garage. Architects: McCarter and Nairne. This was one of the first parking garages in Vancouver, opened in 1930. It was operated by Nagle Bros. until 1937, an early service facility for tracks that moved goods from Gastown warehouses. In the late 1940s it became the Water Street Garage. The earliest uses on the site, pre-1886, were the customs house, courthouse, jail and the house of Jonathan Milles. Vancouver's first constable after the 1886 fire, the first fire hall was here, followed by Jacob Cohen and Son clothiers from 1907 to 1912. Jacob was father of Samuel Cohen, founder of the and and Navy Department Store. In 1972, the garage was one of the first Gastown renewal projects, converted to offices and stores with an inner courtyard. Further rehabilitation to this building and neighbouring Cordage Building was completed in 2009.
This was one of the first parking garages in Vancouver, opened in 1930. It was operated by Nagle Bros. until 1937, an early service facility for tracks that moved goods from Gastown warehouses. In the late 1940s it became the Water Street Garage. The earliest uses on the site, pre-1886, were the customs house, courthouse, jail and the house of Jonathan Milles. Vancouver's first constable after the 1886 fire, the first fire hall was here, followed by Jacob Cohen & Son clothiers from 1907 to 1912. Jacob was father of Samuel Cohen, founder of the & and Navy Department Store. In 1972, the garage was one of the first Gastown renewal projects, converted to offices and stores with an inner courtyard. Further rehabilitation to this building and neighbouring Cordage Building was completed in 2009.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
Location. 49° 17.01′ N, 123° 6.287′ W. Marker is in Vancouver, British Columbia, in Metro Vancouver. It is in Central Vancouver. It is on Water Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 Water Street, Vancouver BC V6B 1A1, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and in Coast & Mountains. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, in the Inside Passage, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cordage Building (a few steps from this marker); The Packing House (within shouting
Marker is partially blocked by the tree, it is under the "R" in "Water"
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 187 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 19, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on June 17, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
