Built between 1912 and 1920, with construction delays caused by WWI, the Yorkshire Guarantee and Securities Corporation Ltd Building, later known as the Seymour Building, exists today as one of the best Neo-Gothic edifices remaining in Vancouver. Designed by the Vancouver-based firm of Somervell & Putnam, the distinctive 10-storey granite-faced office tower stands at 525 Seymour Street in the heart of downtown Vancouver, where the bustling cityscape around the historic block has evolved significantly over the last century. 

Yorkshire Building under construction in 1913, image courtesy of the City of Vancouver Archives

Viewed in the archival image above, one of the three identical houses that once abutted the tower can be seen. The ramshackle 1880s wood-framed houses were once home to an eclectic mix of occupants befitting of the Pacific frontier town's early history, including a solicitor, Chinese laundry, and a revolving door of small businesses. Replaced in 1929 by the current Georgian-Revival style edifice, the current home of MTI Community College was originally, and fittingly, known as the Georgian Club. 

Three wood-framed houses next to completed Yorkshire Building, c. 1920s, image courtesy of the City of Vancouver Archives

At 10 storeys, the Yorkshire Building was once one of the tallest in the city. Its Neo-Gothic carved-granite facade was a symbol of progress amid a cityscape that had evolved dramatically since the end of the 19th century, while its diminutive neighbours were proof-positive of Vancouver's breakneck pace of development — a situation as true then as it is today.  

Completed Yorkshire Building, c. 1920s, image courtesy of the City of Vancouver Archives

Today leased out as a boutique office space on a per-unit basis, what is now referred to as the Seymour Building has changed hands numerous times over its lifetime. The building is touted by its current owners as prime downtown office space, and the careful restoration and upkeep of the exterior and interior heritage details are a major selling point for those looking to rent a unique space for their business. 

Seymour Building, as it appears today, image by Joe Mabel via Wikimedia Commons

A handsome structure by any standard, the Seymour Building stands as a testament to timeless design, the fine detail work on the granite facade making this a standout structure amid the modern cityscape of steel and glass that defines much of Vancouver today. 

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