Description of Historic Place

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.

Heritage Value

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

Character-Defining Elements

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.