1700 Block east side

.

1700 Block east side looking north in 1919

1700 Block east side looking north in 1935

1700 Block east side looking south in 1939 or 1940 (Richmond Archives 1999 4 3 2306)

1700 Block east side looking south in 1958

1700-1706 Commercial

1910-

The corner store in 1924 (Province 1924 Jun 12, p.14)

1910/3/26: BP to H.D. Crawford, $13,000 stores and apartments; known as the Crawford Block. Three storeys with offices/apartments (1704 E. 1st) above. 1912/4/26: #1704 E. 1st: BP 2173 to A.W. Bragral, $150 garage. In July 1925, A.E. Austin & Co, a downtown RE company, was issued a BP for 1702-1704 Commercial for $3,000 stores (Sun 29, p.14)

1929/10/3: Block purchased for $30.000 by Dr. G.H. Worthington for the Vancouver Drug Company (Sun, p.24; Province 1929/10/2, p.29. 1700-1706 Commercial were conjoined until 1967.  

In April 1964 an overheated oven in Luigi’s caused a fire that caused $10,000 damage. The fire burned through into Continental Barbers next door but not, luckily, the apartments upstairs.  In September that year, Luigi’s installed a big new illuminated sign.

  • 1700 Commercial
  • 1706 Commercial
  • 1704 E. 1st Avenue (apartments)
  • 1706 E. 1st Avenue
  • 1708 E. 1st Avenue

1710 Commercial

1911-

BP 1911/10/10 to J. Sigler, builder Joes & Purvis, $10,000 movie theatre. BP A-2024 1921/10/8 to Thomas Shiel, $2,000 alterations. It was refurbished for retail in 1926.

In October 1941, Manitoba Hardware expanded into the building from 1714 Commercial, making Manitoba Hardware the largest store outside downtown. To complete the expansion, they needed a new roof and a new foundation, and an archway was built to join the two parts of the store (Echo 1941/10/16).

In 1989, it was once again separated from 1714 Commercial.

  • 1710 Commercial

1714-1718 Commercial

1910-

BP 1910/1/25 to James Dryden, architects Campbell & Bennett, $5,000. BP 1910/11/17 to James Dryden, $2000 addition. BP 4075 1912/12/23 to Manitoba Hardware, $60 addition. BP 1641 for $2,500 “to alter store”, builder Fred Scott. In 1939 the store was winning window display awards. The window displays were handled by Joffe “Smitty” Smith. At about the same time, the store was repainted with a bright red floor and a new green exterior.

In October 1941, they expanded into the building at 1710 Commercial, making Manitoba Hardware the largest store outside downtown. To complete the expansion, they needed a new roof and a new foundation, and an archway was built to join the two parts of the store (Echo 1941/10/16).

In March 1950 the store underwent another renovation, this time it included a $4,000 rewiring. In spring 1956 they built a new mezzanine floor to display beds. The exterior was repainted again in January 1957 and a new, larger, neon sign was installed. In October 1957 they installed a “Flexalum” awning across the two stores. In February 1962, the exterior of the store was repainted.

In July 1964 their building was extensively damaged in a fire that probably started at 1728 Commercial. The fire all but destroyed their second storey warehouse, but they were back to business from the storefront on 10 July, and the warehouse was rebuilt during August and September. When completed they filled it up with three railway car-loads of goods. In September 1964 they installed a hanging ceiling in the main store.

In April 1969 the interior of the store was refurbished, and renovated once again in February 1978. They gave up 1710 Commercial in 1989.

  • 1714-1716 Commercial
  • 1718 Commercial (apartments)

1730-1752 Commercial

1909-1920

BP 1909/4/14 to John Shanahan, designer W.H. Archer, $10,000, but 1912 Insurance Map shows the three lots as vacant. BP 4552 1913/3/14 to Mr. Gasgoyne, $3,600 repairs and alterations to apartments. Brick store with apartments above.

  • 1752 Commercial

1728-1730 Commercial

1921-

Thomas Shiels purchased the two lots for $2,500 each in May 1921. BP A-1408 1921/7/26 to Thomas Shiels, architect H.A. Simmonds, builder Mellie & Gallagher, $25,000 movie theatre. On January 29th, 1923, the Grandview Theatre debuted its brand-new $15,000 orchestral organ. It was, they said, “the last word in organs.” You got all this, plus a Jackie Coogan feature, for just 30 cents! The building was sold to the Orpheum Circuits on 3rd April 1926 for $50,000.

The Grandview Theatre (1730) closed in 1956. In 1960, the building underwent a major renovation, emerging as three storefronts with offices above.

In July 1964, 1728 Commercial was severely damaged by fire.

The renovation of the store at 1728 Commercial was delayed while Vi Thomas was in hospital in the Bahamas, but he opened it on 10 December 1964. They installed “a dazzling new illuminated sign … that gives that part of the Drive a real Granville Street look. (Echo)”

  • 1726 Commercial
  • 1728 Commercial
  • 1730 Commercial

1736-1740 Commercial

1922-

BP A-3357 1922/5/2 to T.A. Wood, $2,500 as “dwelling”. Although described on the BP as “dwelling”, both storefronts were occupied almost from the start.

  • 1736 Commercial
  • 1740 Commercial

1744-1752 Commercial

1909-

In 1922

In 1937

BP 1910/4/13 tp John Stranahan, builder W.H. Wooley, $10,000 brick store. BP 4552 1913/3/14 to Mr. Gasgoyne, architect Thornton & Sons, builder J.B. Hillwill, $3,600 for repairs. In 1948, store 1744 was renovated.

In May 1952, William Becker acquired Corman’s Mens Wear at 1748 Commercial. In March 1956, they built a new mezzanine floor which almost doubled their floor space, and they erected a new awning in October 1964.

  • 1744 Commercial
  • 1746 Commercial (apartments)
  • 1748 Commercial

Comments are closed.