1915 – Post Office, Mount Pleasant, Vancouver, Canada
Heritage Hall on Main Street in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant was built in 1915 as a post office known as Postal Station “C”, but now is used for community events. Used over its lifetime as a Dominion Department of Agriculture offices (1922-62), and also a RCMP office (1965-76), before sitting empty for some years, before rescue in 1982.
“THE new sub-post office which the Dominion Department of Public Works proposes to establish in the Mount Pleasant district, Vancouver, during the present year, will be a substantial structure of dignified outward appearance, possessing admirable features of design and construction. Reinforced concrete will be employed for the construction of the building, and every precaution will be taken to render it absolutely fireproof. In addition to the exterior walls, the floors, beams and interior walls and columns will be of concrete and most of the windows will be fitted with wired glass and metal frames. The structure will measure 73 x 88 feet and will be erected on the corner of 15th avenue and Main street, a site, which on account of its commanding elevation provides an unobstructed outlook over the city. According to the limited details available, the exterior facing of the basement storey will be rusticated stone and the succeeding storey will be faced with stone of finer grain and different tint in strongly-marked horizontal courses, finished above the ground floor windows with stone interpreture. This will be surmounted by a structure of faced brick having stone pilasters and window trim with suitable carved and ornamental work. The roof will be of a non-combustible material with copper trim. Hot water heating and a modern plumbing system will be installed. The ventilating is to be of the direct indirect type, with extraction fan in the clock tower. The building will be equipped with a two-pipe motor vacuum-cleaning system. The public space on the main floor will be fitted up in attractive style with a good class Canadian marble as a nine foot wainscotting for the walls and columns. The ceiling and the balance of the walls in the post office proper will be of plaster, and interlocking rubber tile is to be used for the floor. A marble staircase will lead from this floor to the offices in the upper storey. The interior woodwork has not yet been decided upon, but it is believed that the Department will sanction the use of a finish of B. C. growth. Plans and specifications of this building have been completed, and it is expected that tenders for the construction will be called for during the coming spring. The estimated cost of the work is $100,000. Mr. A. Campbell Hope, Vancouver, prepared the plans”
The Contract Record
Share!
Published May 21, 2026
