Financial District
Financial District
In 1888, the Bank of British Columbia and the Bank of Montreal became the first of many financial institutions to open their offices on Hastings Street west of Cambie. By 1912, Hastings was firmly established as the city’s financial district with ten elegant buildings. The important of this corner was emphasized by the presence of the 1910 Main Post Office with its landmark clock tower and the sleek 1929 Art Deco tower of the Royal Bank Building.
This exquisite heritage building was constructed in a monumental architectural style by The Canadian Bank of Commerce in 1908. Henry Birks and Sons was located across the street in 1906 and in 1913 moved to Granville and Georgia, taking along the famous Birks Clock. In 1994, Birks Group, Inc. moved to this building, returning the store and the historic clock to their original neighbourhood.
Vancouver Heritage Foundation
Photo of the building: http://imgur.com/HLhNWvH
Note: This is one of three plaques on Birks Building.
Attribution: Jennie Eggleston