Overview
Address
412 W Hastings St, Vancouver BC
Neighbourhood
Gastown
type
Commercial
Description
412 West Hastings is an asymmetrical three-storey masonry building with an elaborate rough-dressed sandstone front facade trimmed with metal cornices. It was built in 1898-1899.
This building is valued for its association with Jonathan Rogers, a pioneer developer, contractor and financier. Rogers had shown confidence in Vancouver during an economic downturn, and built the First Rogers Block at 301 W. Hastings.
The Klondike gold rush brought money and investment into the city. Prospectors poured into Vancouver to outfit themselves for the trip north. The urgency of the times was illustrated in the construction of this building.
Construction was started in October 1898, when building operations were usually suspended for the winter. For the first time in Vancouver, an immense umbrella was erected over the workmen to protect them from the wet weather. Rogers was determined to push on with this project and have it completed by the spring.
This building displays the emerging impact of technology on commercial buildings. As construction techniques improved, window sizes were increased to take advantage of available light. The Second Rogers Block was designed with a notably large amount of glazing on its front facade.
Source
Canada's Historic Places
Map
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