EXLE Contracting had the recent pleasure of taking on a heritage tenant improvement project in The McPherson Building – built in 1912 -down on the historic Water Street strip in the district of Gastown. The McPherson Building was distinguished by a bluff brick front facade with an inset red brick diamond pattern.
The McPherson Building
The heritage value of the McPherson Building lies in its strategic location amongst the city’s earliest lot of commercial warehouses and its subsequent use as a commercial trading post. The McPherson Building was named after local contractor William McPherson, who was the original owner and builder in 1912.
The boldly pattered exterior of this building reflects the design influences of Architects – Joseph and Alfred Townsend. The Townsend brothers practiced briefly in Vancouver from 1909 until 1913, during the city’s greatest building boom. Despite the architects’ eccentric aesthetics, they were extremely successful in the city as can be seen by their works still standing and in use in the neighborhoods of South Granville and the Downtown Eastside.
Shaughnessy Mansion
In total, the Townsends constructed approximately 20 buff and red brick Argyle patterned buildings. The best example of their work is the restored 1911 Shaughnessy Mansion. The apartment building’s exterior was restored in 2005 and features its original projecting cornice, distinctive diamond-patterned buff brickwork and unusual brackets supporting the entrance pediments.
For more information about heritage in Vancouver check out the Vancouver Heritage Foundation Website
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