Heritage Register
Burnside

2420 Douglas Street
The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Built: 1910
Heritage-Registered

For: Dominion Realty Co, Toronto

Architect: Darling & Pearson, Toronto
Manufacturers; BC Mills, Timber & Trading Co
Contractors: Parfitt Brothers

ARCHITECTURE:

This is a small 2-storey, wood-framed, front-gabled Neo-Classic bank building. The central entrance has a transom and a window on either side. Each of the three elements is framed by a pair of panelled pilasters. The main storey is clad in double-bevelled siding, with shingles above and in the gables. On the second storey, three 2-over-2 double-hung sashes echo the three bays below. The gable has an oval window trimmed with four mock keystones. There is a concrete vault extension to the rear.

This is one of many small frame bank buildings erected in new and burgeoning townsites in the early 1900s by The Canadian Bank of Commerce. An almost identical bank built the same year in Ladysmith was demolished in 1971. To promote their perceived role in the community, the bank required “those classical traditions which never fail to command respect.” Prefabricated in Vancouver by BC Mills Timber & Trading Co, they were shipped in two boxcars in sections complete with window frames, doors and decorative detailing, ready for assembly. The second storey provided living quarters for the manager or a male clerk and family, and there was a “shotgun” hole in the floor to watch the safe on the banking floor below. (The live-in staff member was provided with a revolver but there is no record of it being used. However, there was an attempted holdup in 1938, and at least two successful ones, in 1943 and 1949; the lone gunman in 1949 made off with $6,300, after firing a shot through the manager’s window.) Other similar buildings can be seen in Mission, BC, Vegreville, AB, and Blaine Lake, MN, all designed to look like more substantial banks of larger communities. Victoria’s is one of three designs commissioned by the Commerce from architects Darling & Pearson. It was the second last prefab model erected by the bank, as BC Mills sold the rights to their system the same year.

ORIGINAL OCCUPANTS:

Hugo R. Beaven, the first manager of this branch from 1910-late 1920s, lived on Beach Dr in Oak Bay. He was followed by John C. Newmarch until 1946. A third long-term manager was Hugh D. Brimacombe, from 1963 to 1972. In 1961 the Commerce amalgamated with the Imperial as the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.

OTHER OCCUPANTS:

In 1973 CIBC considered closing the branch because it needed more space. The possibility of either moving the building to another location or finding another use for it was discussed. The bank relocated to Quadra and Hillside in May 1979. 2420 Douglas was sold to Hartley Insurance. Inside the company’s office is Bill Hartley’s 1975 Louis Award from the Hallmark Society for the restoration of the BC Parliament Buildings. The Hon W.L. Hartley was Minister of Public Works in charge of the restoration work which was begun under the NDP Government of Premier Dave Barrett in the mid-1970s.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & IMAGES:

• Map of Victoria Heritage Register Properties

• Burnside History

• Burnside Heritage Register


• Royal BC Museum Archives

• This Old House, Victoria's Heritage Neighbourhoods,
Volume Three: Rockland, Burnside, Harris Green,
Hillside-Quadra, North Park & Oaklands