Tom Brown's Autobody
28 Front Street, Nanaimo, Colombie-Britannique, V9R, Canada
Reconnu formellement en:
2002/10/07
Autre nom(s)
s/o
Liens et documents
Date(s) de construction
1937/01/01
Inscrit au répertoire canadien:
2004/07/30
Énoncé d'importance
Description du lieu patrimonial
Tom Brown's Autobody is a low, Streamline Moderne style building located on the only downtown thoroughfare that runs parallel to the waterfront. The historic place is confined to the building footprint.
Valeur patrimoniale
Tom Brown's Autobody building is significant as the sole physical evidence of what was once the main automotive sales and service district in Nanaimo. From the mid-1920s to the early 1960s, this section of downtown included numerous service stations, automotive parts businesses and car showrooms. In the early 1960s, automobile-related businesses were among the first to relocate to areas outside the downtown core. This exodus was part of a broader trend of commercial relocation away from the city centre and to outlying suburban areas. The building continues to house an automobile-related business.
Built in 1937, Tom Brown's Autobody building is an excellent and rare example of Streamline Moderne style in Nanaimo. This modest structure shows the influence of the new discipline of Industrial Design at a time when the automobile was becoming increasingly important in North America. The horizontal lines and detailing of this building echo the streamlining bands found on most manufactured objects during the 1930s. The building's setback from the street provides an important function by allowing ample parking space in the front. Except for a few minor changes to the storefront, the building is very intact.
Tom Brown's Autobody building is significant for its association with Thomas McArravy, Nanaimo's most prominent mid-century architect. McArravy was responsible for a number of important Modern buildings, most notably City Hall.
Tom Brown's Autobody building is part of a grouping of historic buildings located on the only downtown thoroughfare that runs parallel to the waterfront. The rear of the building faces the waterfront and is a highly visible landmark from both the water and from the harbour walkway below.
Source: City of Nanaimo, Development Services Department, file #6800-20-H01-02/28 Front Street
Éléments caractéristiques
Character defining elements of Tom Brown's Autobody include:
-all of the elements of the Streamline Moderne style as expressed in the horizontal form with scoop front, simple massing, poured-in-place concrete detailing including the geometric frieze and five pointed star motif on the facade
-the functional set back from the street to provide parking in front of the building.
-the location on a main thoroughfare, backing onto the waterfront.
Reconnaissance
Juridiction
Colombie-Britannique
Autorité de reconnaissance
Administrations locales (C.-B.)
Loi habilitante
Local Government Act, art.954
Type de reconnaissance
Répertoire du patrimoine communautaire
Date de reconnaissance
2002/10/07
Données sur l'histoire
Date(s) importantes
s/o
Thème - catégorie et type
- Économies en développement
- Commerce et affaires
Catégorie de fonction / Type de fonction
Actuelle
- Commerce / Services commerciaux
- Magasin ou commerce de vente au détail
Historique
Architecte / Concepteur
Thomas McArravy
Constructeur
s/o
Informations supplémentaires
Emplacement de la documentation
City of Nanaimo, Development Services Department, file #6800-20-H01-02/28 Front Street
Réfère à une collection
Identificateur féd./prov./terr.
DhRx-75
Statut
Édité
Inscriptions associées
s/o