A.R. Johnston Block
174 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R, Canada
Formally Recognized:
2002/10/07
Other Name(s)
n/a
Links and documents
Construction Date(s)
1898/01/01
Listed on the Canadian Register:
2004/08/11
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The A.R. Johnston Block is a late 19th century vernacular commercial building located at a prominent downtown intersection. The historic place is confined to the building footprint.
Heritage Value
The A.R. Johnston Block speaks to Nanaimo's early commercial development and is one of very few pre-1900 buildings still standing. The building was part of a complex that included a store, warehouse and wharf and originally backed onto Nanaimo's now infilled inner harbour. The siting underlines the historic importance of harbour access and water transportation to early merchants operating in isolated Nanaimo.
Built in 1898 to replace an earlier building at this site, the Johnston Block is a very good example of a simple, vernacular commercial building. The two storey, rear portion of the building has a stone foundation and a hip roof. The interior of the one storey front portion retains the original pressed tin ceiling. The exterior has been stuccoed but the foundation is still visible at the side and rear and is a rare local example of early stone construction.
Located on a prominent corner, the Johnston Block is an integral part of a grouping of downtown heritage buildings.
Source: City of Nanaimo, Development Services Department, file #6800-20-H01-20/172-174 Commercial Street
Character-Defining Elements
Character-defining elements of the A.R. Johnston Block include:
-all of the elements of vernacular commercial architecture as expressed in the simple form, minimal ornamentation and stone foundation.
-the location on prominent downtown corner within a grouping of historic buildings.
Recognition
Jurisdiction
British Columbia
Recognition Authority
Local Governments (BC)
Recognition Statute
Local Government Act, s.954
Recognition Type
Community Heritage Register
Recognition Date
2002/10/07
Historical Information
Significant Date(s)
n/a
Theme - Category and Type
- Developing Economies
- Trade and Commerce
Function - Category and Type
Current
Historic
- Commerce / Commercial Services
- Shop or Wholesale Establishment
- Commerce / Commercial Services
- Warehouse
Architect / Designer
n/a
Builder
n/a
Additional Information
Location of Supporting Documentation
City of Nanaimo, Development Services Department, file #6800-20-H01-20/172-174 Commercial Street
Cross-Reference to Collection
Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier
DgRx-64
Status
Published
Related Places
n/a