Description of Historic Place

Located in urban East Vancouver, the Armoury on Beatty Street is a massive, low-massed symmetrically composed structure. The main entrance is a central troop door guarded by towers. Constructed of brick, its battlements and rounded towers convey a strong image of solidity and impregnability. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Armoury is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:
Constructed as the regimental headquarters for the local militia, the Armoury is closely associated with the building campaign undertaken in conjunction with the development of the Active Volunteer Militia during the period preceding the First World War. During the First World War, the structure functioned as both training and recruitment centres.

Architectural Value:
The Armoury is a very good example of an armoury that expresses its military purpose with a style evocative of a medieval castle. Its functional design, and the very large floor space, a result of the overhead Fink truss system, are also distinguishing characteristics. Its many medieval features display excellent craftsmanship.

Environmental Value:
The Armoury is an important and familiar local landmark in downtown Vancouver and is compatible with the present character of the area.

Sources:
Jacqueline Adell, Armoury, Beatty Street, Vancouver. British Columbia. Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 90-137; Armoury, Beatty Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Heritage Character Statement 90-137.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Armoury should be respected.

Its medieval style using good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example:
-the large scale, symmetrical, low-massed structure composed of the head house and large drill hall;
-the grand troop door, flanked by projecting three-storey crenellated towers in the manner of fortress architecture;
-the regularly spaced flat and round-arched windows and flat roofs;
-the rough-faced stone at basement level, the pressed brick of the walls, and the stone detailing in the form of stringcourses, lintels, voussoirs and copings;
-the large unobstructed space of the central drill hall.

The manner in which the Armoury is a familiar community landmark as evidenced by:
-its prominent downtown setting where it occupies a large site;
-its distinctive military design which is readily identified by the community.