Powers Block

Originally built in 1898 as a saloon for Captain William Powers, the original building at 817-819 Granville Street was torn down in 2012. The façade remains as part of a commercial building, currently occupied by clothing retailer Old Navy.

Around 1907, the building was home to “A People’s Renovatory and Masquerade Costume Room”, which offered such services as the cleaning and dyeing of feathers and gloves. By 1911, it was expanded and renovated by Dominic Burns of the Burns meat-packing family.

The façade was added in 1929 by architects Townley & Matheson (who also designed Vancouver’s City Hall). The façade is an excellent example of early Art Deco, employing colourful terra cotta with Egyptian overtones. In the late 1970s, the space was owned by a Bank of Commerce.

In 2018, the address was revised from 817-819 Granville Street to 720 Robson Street.

Source

Forbidden Vancouver, The Vancouver Archives, Environmental Assessment Certificate Application for the Richmond – Airport – Vancouver Rapid Transit Project, “Historical and Heritage Assessment” Past Tense Vancouver blog, Heritage Vancouver Society Flickr

More information

http://pasttensevancouver.tumblr.com/post/21802799272/powerblock1925