Then and Now... CPR Terminal

Then...

The photo is of the James Bay Athletic Association clubhouse on the left, the Legislature , centre, and the C.P.R. passenger terminal on the right. The C.P.R. terminal designed and built by Rattenbury is of similar design to the Neo-Tudor style of the half-timbered mansions he designed for Victoria's affluent. It served Victoria's growing population from 1904 until 1923 as the portal for the most practical means of travel to and from Vancouver, Seattle and the rest of the world prior to air travel.

...Now

In 1923 Rattenbury and James designed and built a replacement for the terminal in a Revised Beaux-Arts style. Constructed of precast concrete, the Belleville and waterfront facades feature Ionic columns and the heads of the sea god Poseidon overlooking each corner of the building. Many consider this building to be one of Rattenbury's best. It served as terminal and ticket office until 1968, sold to the province in 1975 and subsequently transferred to the Provincial Capital Commission. The terminal has now had seismic upgrades and the beautiful Rattenbury's interior design features uncovered and restored. New life has been breathed into this heritage beauty and it stands place of honour in our majestic inner harbour.