Heritage Hall — Vancouver, BC - Western Canadian Heritage on Waymarking.com

Heritage Hall is an imposing three-storey civic building with a prominent central clock tower that rises above the intersection of Main Street and East 15th Avenue. Constructed of sandstone and brick, the structure features rusticated stonework on the lower level, arched windows, and decorative pilasters that emphasize its Beaux-Arts styling. The tall clock tower is topped by a flagpole and copper ornamentation, and houses a four-faced mechanical clock that remains a local landmark. The main entrance, set beneath a projecting portico, faces Main Street and is framed by classical detailing, lending the building a formal and authoritative civic presence. Set back slightly from the street, the building is flanked by trees and modest landscaping that soften its monumental appearance.

Heritage Hall – Vancouver, British Columbia

History:
Heritage Hall was constructed between 1914 and 1916 as Postal Station C, serving the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. Designed by Archibald Campbell Hope of the Dominion Department of Public Works, the building reflected the federal government's confidence in the area’s growth, supported by the nearby streetcar line at 14th and Main. Though the expected commercial expansion didn’t materialize as anticipated, the hall remained a civic landmark.

After the post office relocated in 1922, the building served as the Dominion Agricultural Department's local office and, from 1965 to 1976, as an RCMP detachment. It then fell into disuse until a community-led restoration in the early 1980s saved it from demolition. In 1983, Heritage Hall reopened as a community cultural centre.

Architecture:
Heritage Hall is a striking example of Beaux-Arts architecture, a popular style for Canadian public buildings in the early 20th century. Architectural features include:

• A symmetrical façade with rusticated stone base
• Classical pilasters and arched windows
• A copper-roofed clock tower with a functioning mechanical clock and bronze bell by J.B. Joyce & Co. of England
• A tiled roof originally red asbestos, replaced in 1984 and again in 2021 with Quebec slate and new copper detailing

The grand interior includes a ballroom with tiled floors, sky-blue ceilings, chandeliers, stained glass, and ornamental plasterwork. The upper floors contain offices for non-profit groups, while the basement has previously served as a theatre space.

Current Use:
Heritage Hall remains a community cornerstone, regularly hosting:

• Weddings and private events
• Craft fairs and public gatherings
• Offices for non-profit and community organizations

Links:
Heritage Hall Official Website
Building History – Heritage Hall

Borden Number: DhRs-55

Official Heritage Registry: [Web Link] Heritage Registry Page Number: 94 Address: 3102 Main Street Vancouver, BC

Visit Instructions:
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