Description of Historic Place

The Hall Block is a two story Edwardian style building on the main street of Nanaimo's downtown core. The historic place is confined to the building footprint.

Heritage Value

The Hall Block is significant because of its association with Dr. G.A.B. Hall. Dr. Hall was the longtime physician and surgeon to the Western Fuel Company miners and had a lengthy history of community service, including a term as Mayor from 1930-31. Hall represents the intrinsic connections between doctors, coal companies and the coal mining population. In a city with exceptionally high accident and death rates, these connections were especially significant.

Built in 1925, the Hall Block is a simple, symmetrical and well-proportioned example of an inter-war period building in a vernacular Edwardian style. With only minor alterations, the Hall Block maintains much of its original character.

Situated in the middle of one city block of largely intact and similarly scaled buildings, the Hall Block is an integral part of the west Commercial Street streetscape.

Source: City of Nanaimo, Development Services Department, file #6800-20-H01-02/37-45 Commercial Street

Character-Defining Elements

Character-defining elements of the Hall Block include:

-All the elements of the Edwardian Classical style as evidenced by the simple form, symmetrical facade, corbelled brickwork and projecting metal cornices.

-The building's location within a larger area of similarly scaled commercial buildings.