January 19, 2011 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Simon Fraser University and Heritage Vancouver Society invite you to celebrate the restoration of this remarkable early twentieth century temple bank building, 
the former Merchants Bank Building (1915), sensitively restored to its former elegance under the direction of acclaimed architect Paul Merrick.
Join SFU President Andrew Petter, Heritage Vancouver President Donald Luxton and University Architect Lee Gavel at 6:00 pm for the opening celebrations.
You will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes with Paul Merrick & Mitch Sakumoto with Merrick Architecture, and Donald Luxton, Heritage Consultant with Donald Luxton & Associates, to discover the ideas that shaped this splendid restoration and how they met the challenges of such a complex restoration. This is a unique opportunity to meet representatives from SFU and the consultant team, enjoy the many outstanding features of the building and mingle at a private reception in a festive atmosphere.
This landmark heritage project involved a complete exterior restoration and rehabilitation of one of Vancouver’s most ignificant buildings, designed by the architectural firm of Somervell & Putnam in 1915-16, and doubled in size in the 1920s while retaining its original design vocabulary. The bank sat vacant for years with its fate uncertain until Dr. Joseph Segal purchased and donated it to SFU with the long-term vision of preserving and transforming this building into one of the premier business schools in Western Canada.
Some of the restored architectural features you will enjoy are the marble pilasters and sills, the highly-detailed coffered plaster ceiling, massive bank vault doors, decorative fire hose cabinet and directory, cast bronze stair newel posts, cast iron elevator frames, hot water radiators including cast bronze grilles and the original clock. You will discover why this outstanding restoration work has received a number of significant awards and has been designated as a heritage site by the City of Vancouver.
This event is of particular interest to architects, developers, planners, decision makers and people who are passionate about the future of Vancouver’s built heritage.
Purchase your tickets early as there are a limited number of spaces for this exclusive event and it will sell out. All proceeds support Heritage Vancouver’s initiatives to conserve Vancouver’s built heritage.
Tickets ($100 – tax receipts issued)
On-line: via Paypal (account not required). Print your receipt and bring to the event.
Cheque – made out to Heritage Vancouver Society and mailed to: Heritage Vancouver, PO Box 3336, Main Post Office, Vancouver, BC, V6B 3Y3.
Please let us know if you’ve mailed a cheque, to hold your spot, at info@heritagevancouver.org
