Name/Title
Architectural Detail, Exterior of Union Club, 805 Gordon Street, Victoria, B.C.: Nos. 3-4 (Urn and Main Staircase)Entry/Object ID
2023.04.12.bDescription
Photograph
Two black and white photographs in one glass sandwich frame, ca. 2000, by unknown photographer. Series of six photographs.
Both photographs are of architectural detail of the exterior of the Union Club at 805 Gordon Street, the third clubhouse venue. The upper photograph shows an architectural relief detail including a decorative urn and the lower photograph shows the main entrance staircase.
Founded in 1879, The Union Club of British Columbia is a landmark institution in the heart of downtown Victoria., B.C., considered the foremost business, social and cultural club in the city.Photograph Details
Type of Photograph
Black and white photo on paperSubject
Union Club of British ColumbiaSubject Place
Region
Pacific NorthwestContinent
North AmericaContext
Architect Loring P. Rixford, of San Francisco, designed the Beaux-Arts Italian Renaissance Revival Style Union Club building. The renowned architect Francis Rattenbury, designer of the B.C. Legislature and later The Empress Hotel, was himself a member of the Union Club, and helped to select Rixford and worked closely with him on the design ensuring its sympathetic configuration and relationship with other nearby buildings. Of note, in addition to the building's elegant design, is it's juxtaposition with The Empress Hotel (1908), a nationally significant Château-style hotel built for the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Belmont Building (1912), significant as a gatepost to Victoria's commercial core. Together these buildings form a backdrop of historic places in the northeast corner of the Inner Harbour, and mark the entrance to Victoria's Old Town District.
Rixford used his experience gained in rebuilding after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and the Union Club building has stood solidly since its completion in 1913. However, as a result of age and water damage the outside of the building had started to deteriorate. Of particular note, the building’s terracotta cornices, sills, railings and decorative implants had cracked in a number of places and some decorative elements from the original designs were missing.
An extensive multi-year Building Remediation Project Plan was developed for the interior and exterior of the Club, and then implemented, 2012-2017. This plan included the restoration of the terracotta elements, involving over 80 pieces. The original terracotta manufacturer, Gladding McBean in California, was identified, still in business and kindly lent original plans and blueprints. And Boston Valley Terra Cotta in New York State manufactured the terracotta for the restoration. Among the work done was the careful dismantling and cataloguing of the terracotta elements prior to repair or replacement as well as the installation of the missing decorative rosettes on the roof overhang. This terracotta restoration work was documented by John Taylor RCA in 2016 and the photographs now form part of the Club's collection. See 2018.06.01 - 2018.06.15.
Of note, this Union Club building was recognized as nationally significant in 1995 by the joint federal, provincial and territorial administered registry, Canada’s Historic Places. And in 2017, The Union Club of British Columbia was declared a National Historic Site by the Government of Canada. The Union Club earned the prestigious status for its important early history and outstanding architecture of Beaux-Arts Italian Renaissance Revival Style.
The remediation and restoration work on the Union Club received a number of awards:
In 2016, the Victoria Real Estate Board 25th Annual Commercial Building Award for Heritage Restoration,
In 2017, the Heritage BC - Heritage Conservation Award for Outstanding Achievement,
In 2017, the Hallmark Heritage Society – Michael Williams Award presented to The Union Club of British Columbia for the meticulous restoration of 805 Gordon Street, and
In 2019, "Olde Country Masonry of Victoria" Trade Contractor Award in the Vancouver Island Construction Association Awards.
For more information see -
Gary F. Kurutz, "Architectural Terra Cotta of Gladding McBean" (Sausalito, CA, Windgate Press, 1989), available in the UCBC Library.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
UnknownRole
PhotographerDate made
circa 2000Time Period
21st CenturyDimensions
Dimension Description
Each photo - supportHeight
20.3 cmWidth
15.2 cmAcquisition
Acquisition Method
UnknownDate
2000Relationships
Related Entries
Notes
By John Taylor, RCA
2018.06.01 - 2018.06.15 UCBC Terracotta Restoration Project Nos. 1-15
2023.04.02 Union Club of B.C., Third Clubhouse, 805 Gordon St., Victoria, B.C., ca. 2010
2001.01.54 Union Club of B.C., Second Clubhouse with Expansion, 912 Douglas St., Victoria, B.C., ca. 1899
2001.01.55 Union Club of B.C., Third Clubhouse, 805 Gordon St., Victoria, B.C., ca. 1914
2023.04.11 Designation of Union Club of B.C. as National Historic Site of Canada
2023.04.05.a The Original Union Club in Victoria [First venue, 907 Government Street at Yates, Victoria, B.C., ca. 1880]
2023.04.05.b The Original Union Club in Victoria [First venue, 907 Government Street at Yates, Victoria, B.C.], ca. 1975
2023.04.12.a Architectural Detail, Exterior of Union Club, 805 Gordon Street, Victoria, B.C.: Nos. 1-2 (Shield and Window)
2023.04.12.b Architectural Detail, Exterior of Union Club, 805 Gordon Street, Victoria, B.C.: Nos. 3-4 (Urn and Main Staircase)
2023.04.12.c Architectural Detail, Exterior of Union Club, 805 Gordon Street, Victoria, B.C.: Nos. 5-6 (Keystone and Main Entrance)