Hutchinson and Hartney

The sun is shining, the flowers are in bloom and Vancouver is sparkling. It is such a pleasure walking in the sun and getting photos of history and beauty.

I have taken photos of this building before but I didn't have any information on it. Now I do.

This is the Hartney Chambers building located at 343-353 West Pender. It was designed by architect William F. Gardiner and built in 1908.

This Edwardian era commercial building is noted not only for its modest height and size but also for its Neo-Classical detailing. Such features as pedimented windows, pilasters, block modillion cornices and central pediment lend a stylish, English appearance to the building which would have been considered quite progressive at the time.

Originally this building had retail stores on the ground level and offices on the upper floors - typical of a lot of buildings constructed at the time. Gardiner himself had offices in this building. Now it is home to a restaurant, retail stores, a grocery and a hostel.

Other details worth mentioning include the flat roof with parapets; a commercial form, scale and massing as is shown by its three storey (with basement) height and regular rectangular plan; the two main facades - one of which is red brick cladding with stone detailing and common red brick on the rear and side walls and the location on the corner with the building being built right to the property lines on all sides.

Also located on West Pender, at 429-433 to be exact, is the Hutchinson Block. Also referred to as The Montgomery or just by address.

Built in 1909 - 1910 this building stands out in the area due to its tall, narrow stature. This eight storey,  two bay Edwardian-era building is clad in tan brick and was originally as an office building with street level retail space. The height was substantial for the time and this was made possible by the use of reinforced concrete as a structural framing material.

The Hutchinson Block is also a good example of Chicago School styling in Vancouver and features large windows with spandrels, a tripartite scheme with an elaborately articulated base, plain shaft and heavily elaborated upper capital topped with a heavy, overhanging cornice.

This building was the first venture by Dudley D. Hutchinson who arrived in Vancouver in 1906 and speculated in real estate. This building proved to be successful so Hutchinson built Grace Court in the West End.

This was constructed by local builders Adkison and Dill and designed by architect William Frederick Gardiner.

When I was speaking of the influence the Scots have had in Vancouver I never got everything so let's continue there.

Lynn Valley is named after John Linn (misspelled.) James McGavin  of bread fame, John McLagan who was a newspaper publisher and began the Vancouver Daily World, butcher James Inglis Reid - we hae meat that ye can eat - Andrew Roddan was a United Church Minister, William Irving was a boat builder who had a home in New Westminster which is now a historic treasure and aptly named Irving House.

Then we have the Sinclairs. Sinclair Centre downtown was named after federal fisheries minister, James Sinclair who was the father of Margaret Sinclair. James was the son of James Sinclair Sr who was born in Caithness Scotland and came to Vancouver in 1910. This Sinclair was the first principal of Vancouver Technical School.

William Lamont Tait is known for his home Glen Brae mansion in Shaughnessy which is now a hospice for children,  Canuck House. Another famous Scot from Vancouver is broadcaster Jack Webster.

I hope you find the beauty around you.

TAGS:Vancouver, Karen Magill, Hutchinson Block, Canuck House,Glen Brae,Grace Court,History,William Gardiner,William Lamont Tait