B.C. Collateral & Loan Co.

Two buildings exist at 71 E Hastings Street, including a two-storey building to the east and a three-storey building to the west. These buildings are considered together as one site due to their age, context and long association with one business. Their heritage value is predominantly based in the use of the buildings, as the business “BC Collateral and Loan” has operated in this location for almost 90 years. The earliest documentation of these buildings is in 1903, when a range of businesses are noted in the city register, with “BC Collateral” first listed in this location in 1918. In addition, these buildings are also valued as good examples of how commercial buildings are adapted over time to suit changing business needs and aesthetic taste. Alterations and additions to the buildings at 71 E Hastings Street demonstrate the growing BC Collateral and Loan business. This business started in the two-storey building to the east (Lot 19) and expanded in the 1960s to include the adjacent three-storey building on the western portion of the site (Lot 20). In terms of aesthetics, in the 1930s the façade of the two-storey building to the east had been renovated in an Art Deco style, reflecting contemporary tastes of that era. While in the 1970s, a large rotating neon sign, in a style popular during the period, was mounted on the façade of the three-storey building. The sign still functions today and is a neighbourhood landmark.

Source

City of Vancouver

More information

http://former.vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20080212/documents/ph2.pdf