Taken from the 16th floor of the Hampton Inn and Suites at Robson and Beatty, this is a unique shot of Vancouver City Hall with the new BC Place roof in the foreground. Part of the major construction and reconstruction dominating the city, City Hall is having its masonry and windows restored. It should be completed sometime this year which is Vancouver’s 125th anniversary, having been officially incorporated on April 6, 1886.

An icon among Vancouver’s heritage sites, the current City Hall was constructed in 1936, the year of the city’s 50th anniversary. There is a bas-relief above the main entrance, facing north, which illustrates the new City Hall building and the 1886 tent where City Hall meetings were held after the great fire. The 1936 City Hall was built in less than a year for a cost of one million dollars. Envisioned by Mayor McGeer, it was a make-work project resulting from the Great Depression years of the 1930’s. Built outside the downtown area, the 12th and Cambie location symbolized the city’s growth especially with Point Grey and South Vancouver areas being amalgamated with the City of Vancouver several years earlier.

Designed by the architectural firm of Townley and Matheson, its style represents Art Deco and horizontal Moderne elements. The beautifully maintained double-height lobby features marble walls and pillars, terrazzo floors, a gold leaf ceiling, brass elevator doors and inlaid wood. The City Hall Council Chambers are also two stories in height with high windows and beautiful veneered wall panels. Brass wall sconces and chandeliers still light the sometimes boisterous meetings which I’m sure were also an original feature.