Westminster Trust Building - Record Detail
Westminster Trust Building. - [ca. 1946].
| Part Of: | NWPL heritage collection - Photos [Description]
|
| Description Level |
Item |
| Item No. |
2496 |
| Date Range |
[ca. 1946] |
| Responsibility |
Stride Studios, 657 Columbia Street, New Westminster |
| Physical Description |
1 photograph |
| Scope & Content |
Photograph shows the Westminster Trust Building, 713 Columbia Street. The building was built in 1912. In the "Trustees' Report" which was part of the "Proceedings of the Eighth Annual General Meeting" of the shareholders of the Westminster Trust & Safe Deposit Company, Ltd. it is mentioned that a new head office was being built. The head office on Columbia Street was expected to be completed around the end of September, 1912. This 8-storey structure was built on a steel frame and was the city's first skyscraper. Designed by the architects Gardiner and Mercer, the Trust Building is an excellent example of Beaux Arts Classical architecture.
The businesses in athis photograph appear in the 1946 B.C. Directory. The photograph would be prior to 1947 when McDonald & Callan men's clothing moved from this location to 891 Columbia Street. It would be after 1939 - the directory for that year lists the dentist J.R. Gosse's office on the ground level instead of the building's 2nd level. On the original photograph the following signs for business were visible:
Left to Right-
Ground Floor: Bank Of Toronto, Canadian Pacific Telegraph, Westminster Trust Co., R.C. MacDonald Shoes, McDonald & Callan Ltd Men's and Boys' Clothing (Home of Fashion-Craft Clothes)
1st Floor - Dr. H.C. Banford and Dr. C.J. Smith, dentists
2nd Floor - Dr. J.R. Gosse, dentist
3rd Floor - London Life, J.J. Johnston real estate and insurance
5th Floor - Harbour Board
In the background is the building and sign for Westminster Sheet Metal and Roofing Contractors at 715 Carnarvon. The sign below this building reads "Central Car Sales". |
| Subject Access |
Buildings - Commercial |
| Geographic Location |
New Westminster (B.C.) |
| Record ID |
98334 |
| Comment on this record |
museum@newwestcity.ca |