Description of Historic Place

The Central Dairy Building is a two storey, vernacular building located on the main commercial thoroughfare of one of Nanaimo's oldest neighbourhoods. The historic place is confined to the building footprint.

Heritage Value

Built in 1929, the Central Dairy is a good example of the type of simple, vernacular style of commercial building that was constructed during the interwar period in Nanaimo. Like many buildings of this era, the lower floor was a service and work area while the second floor provided a residence for the original owner. Although the building has been renovated over the years, its essential form remains intact.

The Central Dairy building is an integral part of a significant grouping of historic commercial buildings on this street.

Source: City of Nanaimo, Development Services Department

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Central Dairy Building include:
-all of the elements of the vernacular commercial style including the simple form and massing, flat roof and large windows at the street level.
-the building's location on this neighbourhood's main commercial street within a large grouping of historic buildings.