The date is actually the date of
Reconstruction. 1904 was the year that Wood-Vallance purchased the building.
The building was built in 1896 as the Clement-Hillyer Block by the owners, A. Clement and C. Hillyer. In 1904 the exterior was almost completely redone, completely changing its appearance. Prior to this the ground floor was occupied by H. Byers Hardware on the east side and Jacob Dover Jeweler on the west side. It is located at 593 Baker Street, on the northwest corner of Baker and Josephine Streets. This was the first brick block to be built in Nelson, presumably of local bricks from the newly built brick factory.
It has now taken its place as a
Nelson Heritage Building among the many others along historic Baker Street.
From
Nelson: A Proposal for Urban Heritage Conservation (ISBN 0-7719-8381-6):
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The Clement and Hillyer Block [was] constructed in 1896 and remodelled as the Wood Vallance Hardware Store in 1904. The Clement and Hillyer Building was the first brick block to be constructed in Nelson. Although the exact details of its construction are not known, the flamboyance of the design and the stylish handling of building materials point to the structure's significance. Exhibiting an unrestrained confidence in the civic economy, the front and side facades of the block are rich in decorative details and dynamic appeal.
The two owners of the building were local businessmen. Charles Hillyer was a building contractor and by 7897 A. H. Clement had become Treasurer for the City of Nelson. Since A. C. Ewart maintained an office on the second floor, it is likely that the Clement Hillyer Block is an early showpiece of his design capability.