Photo: City of Nanaimo, Christine Meutzner, 2004
- Construction
- 1909
- Reconnaissance
- 2002
- Par
- Administrations locales (C.-B.)
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Description
The Van Houten Block is a two-storey Edwardian style building situated at a key intersection in downtown Nanaimo. The historic place is confined to the building footprint.
Valeur patrimoniale
Built in 1909, the Van Houten building is a good example of the type of modest, vernacular Edwardian era commercial building that once predominated in the downtown core. It is the sole surviving example of this style on this block of Commercial Street. This classic, symmetrical style was very popular after the exuberant eclecticism of the Victorian era.
In 1992, an extensive and sympathetic facade rehabilitation was completed in an effort to restore the building's general Edwardian era appearance. During the renovation, some elements such as the stucco panels above the doorway and new heritage-style doors and windows were added. Although not historically authentic, the new facade treatment speaks to contemporary concerns about heritage revitalization and ever evolving trends in historic interpretation.
The building's corner location gives it a prominent street presence along both Commercial Street and the Island Highway.
SourceCity of Nanaimo, Development Services Department, file #6800-20-H01-20/16 Commercial Street
Éléments caractéristiques
Character-defining elements of the Van Houten building include:
-All of the elements of the surviving original Edwardian style as expressed in the simple form and massing of the building, the symmetrical brick facade and the pressed metal cornice.
-All of the elements of the later interpretation of the Edwardian style including the stucco panels and cornice above the storefronts and the store windows and entry doors.
-The location at a prominent downtown corner.
Fin du texte du répertoire
Emplacement
49.16500° N, 123.93600° W
Itinéraire (s’ouvre dans un nouvel onglet)L’inscription au répertoire ne rend pas un lieu accessible au public. Beaucoup sont des résidences ou des commerces privés; admirez-les depuis la rue.
Chargement de la carte…
À proximité
Les 127 lieux de Nanaimo
Lieux semblables
Les lieux dont la description du répertoire se rapproche le plus de celle-ci.
Tiré du Répertoire canadien des lieux patrimoniaux, dans sa dernière mise à jour du 12 décembre 2025. Le texte du répertoire est reproduit mot pour mot.