Central Vancouver in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)

Power Block

City of Vancouver Heritage Building

— Architects: N.S. Hoffar, 1888, Townley & Matheson, 1929 —

Power Block Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 14, 2023

1. Power Block Marker

Inscription. This rare example of an art deco exterior employing colourful terra cotta with Egyptian overtones was designed by the architects of Vancouver's city hall as part of a 1929 building renovation. The interior structure dates from a saloon built in 1888 for Captain William Power, then known as the "Mayor" of North Vancouver's Moodyville. It was expanded and renovated by owner Dominic Burns of the Burns meat-packing family in 1911, the year he also built the nearby 14-storey Vancouver Block with its huge landmark clock.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco, and the Canada, Vancouver, City of Vancouver Heritage Buildings series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 49° 16.876′ N, 123° 7.212′ W. Marker is in Vancouver, British Columbia, in Metro Vancouver. It is in Central Vancouver. It is on Granville Street just south of Robson Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 819 Granville Street, Vancouver BC V6B 2C9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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: Orpheum Theatre (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Vogue Theatre / Le Théâtre Vogue (about 180 meters away); Hotel Georgia (about 240 meters away); Hotel Vancouver (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Randall Building (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The First Mail Delivery (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Deutschesland Café (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); B.C. Electric Building (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vancouver.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 14, 2023

2. Power Block Marker

Marker can be seen towards the right of the building.

Power Block - front entrance decorated with colored terra cotta image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 9, 2010

3. Power Block - front entrance decorated with colored terra cotta

Power Block - colored terra cotta at roofline image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 9, 2010

4. Power Block - colored terra cotta at roofline

The Power Block image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 9, 2010

5. The Power Block

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,172 times since then and 51 times this year. Last updated on September 30, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 24, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 27, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.