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

Dominion Building

City of Vancouver Heritage Building

— Architects: J.S. Helyer & Son —

Dominion Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2010

1. Dominion Building Marker

Inscription. This ornate Beaux-Arts skyscraper was commissioned by Imperial Trust in 1906 but opened in 1910 as the Dominion Trust Building after this company assumed the debt and completed construction. It was the tallest building in the British Empire at that time, topped out at 18 storeys. The striking red and yellow terracotta exterior is capped by a three-storey Mansard roof reminiscent of late 19th Century Parisian townhouses. It was the finest building of the architects' careers and a major city landmark for decades. With the other Edwardian-era buildings rimming 'Government Square,' it formed Vancouver's commercial centre before World War I. The building was to be remodeled in the 1940s to accommodate the Army & Navy store: the plan never materialized, and its interior features of marble wainscoting, terrazzo flooring, oak woodwork and a decorative ten-storey spiral staircase remain intact.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the City of Vancouver Heritage Building series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 49° 16.966′ N, 123° 6.586′ W. Marker is in Vancouver, British Columbia, in Greater Vancouver. It is in Central Vancouver. Marker is at the intersection of West Hastings Street and

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Cambie Street, on the right when traveling west on West Hastings Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 207 West Hastings Street, Vancouver BC V6B 1H7, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Here Stood Hamilton (within shouting distance of this marker); Flack Block (within shouting distance of this marker); 326 West Pender Street (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); BC Permanent Building (about 120 meters away); Taylor Building (about 180 meters away); Edward Hotel (about 180 meters away); Gastown (about 180 meters away); The Gastown Steam Clock (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vancouver.

Also see . . .
1. Dominion Building. HistoricPlaces.ca's page for the Dominion Building. On the building's heritage value: "... Designed in 1908-1910 by architect J. S. Helyer, it was, at the time, the highest building in the British Empire with a height of 147 feet, 6 inches, until the nearby Sun Tower (100 West Pender Street) rose in 1911-1912. To a steel-framed Chicago-style high rise, Helyer added classical columns, Sullivanesque detailing above the tenth floor, and a Second Empire curved mansard roof. The interior design was even more unusual: a central core design with a ten-storey spiral staircase." (Submitted on April 13, 2012.)

2. Haunts of Vancouver: The Dominion Building.

Dominion Building Marker - wide view (looking across West Hastings) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2010

2. Dominion Building Marker - wide view (looking across West Hastings)

The marker is visible here just to the left of the tree in the right-hand side of the picture.

Vancouver Streetblog (amongst others) on the haunting of the Dominion Building: "...Urban legend has it that the architect of the Dominion Building, John Helyer, died at the opening party of this heritage building. Built in 1909, this 14-storey building was the first steel framed high rise to be built in Vancouver....Ever since that opening night party over 100 years ago, rumor has it that John Helyer's ghost can be seen on the staircase between the seventh and eighth floors. Even creepier is that many have reported hearing his footsteps in the stairway. It has never been clear how he came to tumble down the stairs. Did he fall, did he jump or was he pushed? Only the ghosts of the Dominion Building really know." (Submitted on April 13, 2012.)

Ornamentation above the corner entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2010

3. Ornamentation above the corner entrance

Dominion Building under construction (looking northeast up Hamilton Street) image. Click for full size.

Philip Timms (image courtesy of the Vancouver Public Library), 1909

4. Dominion Building under construction (looking northeast up Hamilton Street)

Dominion Building, looking northeast up Hamilton Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 1, 2011

5. Dominion Building, looking northeast up Hamilton Street

Dominion Building, 1915 image. Click for full size.

R. Broadbridge (image courtesy of Vancouver Public Library), 1915

6. Dominion Building, 1915

Dominion Building today, view from southeast image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 1, 2011

7. Dominion Building today, view from southeast

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2012, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 773 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 13, 2012, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.