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

Meet You Under the Clock

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2010

1. Meet You Under the Clock Marker

Inscription.
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.

Dedicated this 2nd day of November, 1994
by
The Birks Family Foundation
and
The City of Vancouver
Heritage Conservation Foundation

Erected 1994 by The Birks Family Foundation and the City

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of Vancouver Heritage Conservation Foundation.

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 Greater Vancouver. It is in Central Vancouver. Marker 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.

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); Canada Pacific Railway Station (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); BC & Yukon Chamber of Mines (about 180 meters away); Ceperley Rounsefell Building (about 180 meters away); St. Regis Hotel (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Deutschesland Café (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Canada Pavillion (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vancouver.

Also see . . .
1. The History of Metropolitan Vancouver - 1907. A year by year history of Vancouver: "The Montreal-based jeweler, Henry Birks & Sons, came to Vancouver in February of this year and bought the well-established shop of George Trorey, at the northeast corner of Granville

The Birks Clock, with marker in the background (to the right of the clock). image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2010

2. The Birks Clock, with marker in the background (to the right of the clock).

and Hastings. They kept Trorey on as manager—and they kept his famous sidewalk clock, too...." (Submitted on July 12, 2010.)

2. 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 Adam Margolis, October 10, 2023

3. Meet You Under the Clock Marker

Marker location indicated by the red arrow.

The Birks Clock (with the Sinclair Center tower (with clock) in the background) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2010

4. The Birks Clock (with the Sinclair Center tower (with clock) in the background)

The Birks Clock and Building (looking across West Hastings Street) image. Click for full size.

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

"Vancouver Intersection, c.1900" image. Click for full size.

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 January 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,194 times since then and 23 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.