Central Vancouver in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia — Canadas West Coast (North America)
Meet You Under the Clock
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2010
1. Meet You Under the Clock Marker
Since 1907, generations of Vancouverites have arranged downtown rendevous with one simple phrase - "meet you under the Birks clock!"
Erected as "a public convenience for the people of Vancouver", this stalwart timepiece has stood in front of the main Birks store in Vancouver for over 90 years, requiring little more attention than a weekly winding of the original mechanical movement. Originally placed at the northeast corner of Hastings and Granville, the clock moved with Birks in 1913 to Georgia and Granville, where it remained until 1994.
Manufactured by E. Howard & Company of Boston, Massachusetts, this four-sided clock is constructed of cast iron and features foliated capitals, columns, friezes and cornices. These design elements, so popular at the turn of the century, reflect the Victorian fascination with ornamental detail and historic style.
This plaque is dedicated to the past, present, and future generations of Vancouverites and visitors who have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy meeting at the historic Birks clock.
by
The Birks Family Foundation
and
The City of Vancouver
Heritage Conservation Foundation
Erected 1994 by The Birks Family Foundation and the City
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1994.
Location. 49° 17.109′ N, 123° 6.836′ W. Marker is in Vancouver, British Columbia, in Metro Vancouver. It is in Central Vancouver. It is at the intersection of Granville Street and West Hastings Street, on the right when traveling north on Granville Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vancouver BC V6B 1P1, 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: Canadian Bank of Commerce Building (a few steps from this marker); Financial District (a few steps from this marker); Bank of Toronto (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Canada Pacific Railway Station (about 120 meters away); BC & Yukon Chamber of Mines (about 180 meters away); Ceperley Rounsefell Building (about 180 meters away); Angel of Victory, CPR Station Bronze War Memorial (about 180 meters away); St. Regis Hotel (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vancouver.
Also see . . . Vancouver Feature: Birks Clock Moves Downtown. The Canadian Encyclopedia entry (Submitted on February 4, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2010
2. The Birks Clock, with marker in the background (to the right of the clock).
Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 10, 2023
3. Meet You Under the Clock Marker
Marker location indicated by the red arrow.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2010
4. The Birks Clock (with the Sinclair Center tower (with clock) in the background)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2010
5. The Birks Clock and Building (looking across West Hastings Street)
Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 10, 2023
6. Meet You Under the Clock Marker
via The Canadian Encyclopedia, 1900
7. "Vancouver Intersection, c.1900"
City of Vancouver Archives CVA 677-647
One of several early locations for the clock
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,618 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on November 17, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 4, 5. submitted on July 12, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 6. submitted on November 17, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 7. submitted on February 4, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
