Archives Photos of the Day: Under Construction

Comments 6 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Everyone loves a good set of “Before and After” photos, even back in the 1910’s and 1920’s when buildings were forming the first downtown Vancouver skyline. This week I’ve picked through the Vancouver Public Library archives to put together a collection of photos of some of the city’s more well-known heritage towers and landmarks when they were under construction:

Stock Exchange Building @ Howe & Pender

Photographer: Leonard Frank


August 16, 1928 – VPL #: 12109; November 7, 1928 – VPL #: 12111; December 23, 1928 – VPL #: 12114


January 6, 1929 – VPL #: 12115; April 15, 1929 – VPL #: 12118; June 1, 1929 – VPL #: 12119

Georgia Medical-Dental Building @ Georgia & Hornby

Photographer: Leonard Frank


January 9, 1929 – VPL #: 12145; March 4, 1929 – VPL #: 12148; June 15, 1929 – VPL #: 12154

The Georgia Medical-Dental Building was demolished and architectural features were preserved and used in the new tower — Cathedral Place — in 1990.

Merchants Bank @ Granville & Pender

Photographer/Studio: Dominion Photo Co.


1916 – VPL #: 20039A; March 1, 1916 – VPL Number 20039D; May 1, 1916 – VPL #: 20039F

Marine Building @ Burrard & Hastings

Photographer: Leonard Frank


1929 – VPL Number 10480; September 19, 1929 – VPL #: 10480A; October 16, 1929 – VPL #: 11993


January 6, 1930 – VPL #: 11994; April 22, 1930 – VPL #: 11999; July 22, 1930 – VPL #: 12005

Royal Bank Building @ Granville & Hastings

Photographer: Leonard Frank


June 13, 1930 – VPL #: 12077; May 1, 1930 – VPL #: 12076; September 2, 1930 – VPL #: 12080


October 1, 1930 – VPL #: 12081; November 17, 1930 – VPL #: 12083

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6 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. Daman BeattySunday, April 14th, 2013 — 10:50pm PDT

    Love these old pics 🙂

  2. Paul DSunday, April 14th, 2013 — 11:33pm PDT

    Some of my favourite buildings in Vancouver–thanks so much. So Awesome!

  3. DavidMonday, April 15th, 2013 — 12:21am PDT

    June 1929 — OK, time to trade some stocks…

  4. Steve W OatwayMonday, April 15th, 2013 — 12:35pm PDT

    Good work. I love seeing the changing look of a building under construction, and you have done a good job in choosing some of our more grand structures.

  5. Allan SchroederTuesday, April 16th, 2013 — 8:46pm PDT

    These are really cool. I just love architectural photographs, and Vancouver has some beautiful examples. Thanks for sharing.

  6. Joseph McFarlaneSunday, February 23rd, 2014 — 1:55pm PST

    I like your page here. I have many pics mainly of the Medical Dental Building both I took and plus from the original negatives of Leonard Frank. It is sad to see buildings of this nature being demolished for what they replace with.

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