{"id":7982,"date":"2025-02-25T03:46:39","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T09:46:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/?p=7982"},"modified":"2025-03-06T08:48:07","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T14:48:07","slug":"the-remarkable-story-of-the-canadian-bank-of-commerce-and-its-historic-building","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/eternal-7982-the-remarkable-story-of-the-canadian-bank-of-commerce-and-its-historic-building","title":{"rendered":"The Remarkable Story of the Canadian Bank of Commerce and Its Historic Building"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>On September 6, 1927, representatives of the Canadian Bank of Commerce visited Edmonton as part of an international tour. They were astonished by the city&#8217;s rapid growth and, before departing, announced that Alberta\u2019s capital would soon see the construction of a new bank building. This article explores how Edmonton became home to a stunning structure with unparalleled architecture and a fascinating history. Read more on <a href=\"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/\">edmonton-future<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0d24d6d851f\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0d24d6d851f\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/eternal-7982-the-remarkable-story-of-the-canadian-bank-of-commerce-and-its-historic-building\/#The_Origins_Purvis_Block\" title=\"The Origins: Purvis Block\">The Origins: Purvis Block<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/eternal-7982-the-remarkable-story-of-the-canadian-bank-of-commerce-and-its-historic-building\/#The_Construction_Begins\" title=\"The Construction Begins\">The Construction Begins<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/eternal-7982-the-remarkable-story-of-the-canadian-bank-of-commerce-and-its-historic-building\/#An_Architectural_and_Engineering_Masterpiece\" title=\"An Architectural and Engineering Masterpiece\">An Architectural and Engineering Masterpiece<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/eternal-7982-the-remarkable-story-of-the-canadian-bank-of-commerce-and-its-historic-building\/#Major_Changes\" title=\"Major Changes\">Major Changes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/eternal-7982-the-remarkable-story-of-the-canadian-bank-of-commerce-and-its-historic-building\/#Full_Restoration\" title=\"Full Restoration\">Full Restoration<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Origins_Purvis_Block\"><\/span>The Origins: Purvis Block<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The new building was planned for the <strong>northwest corner of Jasper Avenue and 101st Street<\/strong>\u2014a location chosen for strategic reasons. According to the <em>Edmonton Journal<\/em>, the land was put up for sale by <strong>Hudson\u2019s Bay Company<\/strong> and was purchased by <strong>John A. McDougall<\/strong>, a businessman, city planner, and future mayor. His company, <strong>McDougall &amp; Secord, Limited<\/strong>, had erected a brick building on the site in 1897, later known as <strong>Purvis Block<\/strong>. By 1927, the structure had significantly deteriorated but remained an architectural landmark of Edmonton. As a tribute to the site&#8217;s history, the <strong>Canadian Bank of Commerce<\/strong> promised a worthy successor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Construction_Begins\"><\/span>The Construction Begins<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/03\/ad_4nxclhiaxuiy3c6cg9-5lbga8owwe2qnpkztvyyhwdya59euis1-nsddedmey66qypxkgj6pp6y245hjghz15mfo5fgkp8av73vv2gtgh9dhrdmdk26pi1onb7fnwx67oau-q1saozwkeyenmrdwiw7et4cdety3e5bwo7.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As General Manager <strong>S. Logan<\/strong> explained, the bank\u2019s policy had always been to establish branches in every city. Consequently, the decision was made to construct a <strong>five-story building<\/strong> using <strong>brick and stone<\/strong>, primarily for office space, with three small retail shops on the premises. The <em>Edmonton Bulletin<\/em> predicted that this new bank building would become the <strong>largest structure on Jasper Avenue<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before construction, the <strong>demolition of the old Purvis Block<\/strong> began. On April 2, 1928, contractors led by <strong>S. Mattart<\/strong> worked from dawn until late at night, dismantling the building brick by brick. A <strong>15-man crew<\/strong> started at <strong>5:00 AM<\/strong>, and at midday, another team took over, working until <strong>10:00 PM<\/strong>. By May, nothing remained of the old structure. The construction contract was awarded to <strong>H.G. MacDonald Co.<\/strong>, Edmonton\u2019s largest developer. By late May, the city had issued a <strong>$300,000 building permit<\/strong>, and work commenced in June. By August, the <strong>concrete framework<\/strong> was in place. The <strong>official opening<\/strong> of the Canadian Bank of Commerce building took place on <strong>July 2, 1929<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"An_Architectural_and_Engineering_Masterpiece\"><\/span>An Architectural and Engineering Masterpiece<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/03\/ad_4nxd5fdu7m0xnc_vtychzzk6wv2rra1jkkuu1fjqpwipq2aouo8dekdhiuxc9rf7ce6aziicvqnrsggqgwthlvqdkyovtevekuvnvpa4wwn5-6_nl1xjy-yukqmyc6u9nlh-7hxt8lqkeyenmrdwiw7et4cdety3e5bwo7.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em>Edmonton Bulletin<\/em> hailed the building as <strong>the city\u2019s finest structure<\/strong> and a valuable asset to Edmonton\u2019s commercial and industrial landscape. The newspaper also suggested that the presence of such an establishment would facilitate business in the city. This was no exaggeration\u2014Edmonton\u2019s new bank was a <strong>marvel of architectural and engineering ingenuity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The building featured a <strong>Dunham differential heating system<\/strong>, an innovation in Canada at the time. It enabled <strong>air conditioning and thermostatic control<\/strong>. Two <strong>high-speed passenger elevators<\/strong>, capable of ascending <strong>350 feet per minute<\/strong>, provided efficient access to upper-floor offices. The <strong>reinforced concrete and steel framework<\/strong> made the structure <strong>fire-resistant<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bank\u2019s architectural style reflected <strong>Edwardian classicism<\/strong>, a hallmark of the early 20th century. According to <strong>Maitland, Hucker, and Ricketts<\/strong> in <em>A Guide to Canadian Architectural Styles<\/em>, such buildings adhered strictly to traditional proportions and themes while showcasing <strong>grandeur and intricate detailing<\/strong>. The design incorporated <strong>Tuscan columns, decorative balconies, protruding travertine elements, and copper cornices<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another influence was <strong>Art Moderne<\/strong>, which gained popularity during the <strong>Great Depression<\/strong>. The building\u2019s <strong>main fa\u00e7ade<\/strong> followed a linear design, while the <strong>east side<\/strong> featured simple columns at street level. The <strong>interior<\/strong> was equally impressive. A <strong>spacious banking hall<\/strong> was beautifully decorated and furnished, complete with <strong>revolving doors<\/strong>, <strong>terrazzo and linoleum flooring<\/strong> inlaid with <strong>marble<\/strong>, <strong>walnut-paneled walls<\/strong>, and <strong>brass teller stations<\/strong>. Ornate <strong>Ionic columns, a coffered ceiling, and plaster moldings<\/strong> further enhanced the grandeur. A polished <strong>safe deposit vault wall<\/strong> stood as a centerpiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the bank\u2019s name being displayed prominently on the exterior, it only occupied <strong>the first and basement floors<\/strong>. The <strong>upper four floors<\/strong> were leased to various businesses, including <strong>London Life Insurance Company<\/strong>, and legal firms like <strong>Friedman &amp; Lieberman<\/strong> and <strong>Parlee, Freeman &amp; Howson<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_Changes\"><\/span>Major Changes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In <strong>1962<\/strong>, the <strong>Canadian Bank of Commerce merged with the Imperial Bank of Canada<\/strong>, forming the <strong>Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)<\/strong>. This merger threatened the building\u2019s future as most operations were relocated to CIBC\u2019s newly constructed headquarters. In <strong>1963<\/strong>, as competitors built modern structures, the bank\u2019s management debated replacing the old building. However, financial prudence prevailed, leading to a <strong>renovation instead of demolition<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the <strong>late 1980s<\/strong>, another <strong>demolition threat<\/strong> emerged from <strong>Olympia &amp; York<\/strong>, which planned a large redevelopment project for CIBC. Their <strong>CityCentre<\/strong> proposal included a <strong>shopping mall and two towers<\/strong>. Olympia &amp; York presented <strong>renderings<\/strong> to the city council that depicted the <strong>CIBC building\u2019s fa\u00e7ade integrated into a new development<\/strong>. However, in <strong>1989<\/strong>, revised plans no longer included this integration. To appease critics, developers proposed <strong>preserving elements of the fa\u00e7ade inside a modern structure<\/strong>\u2014a move condemned as reducing the historic building to a mere <strong>museum relic<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By <strong>1990<\/strong>, the <strong>first phase<\/strong> of CityCentre, featuring <strong>a shopping complex and one tower<\/strong>, opened. However, the project had a negative impact on the commercial market. Concerned preservationists, along with the city\u2019s <strong>new mayor<\/strong>, successfully campaigned to <strong>halt the second tower\u2019s construction in 1991<\/strong>, saving the <strong>historic CIBC building<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Full_Restoration\"><\/span>Full Restoration<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/03\/ad_4nxfbkdauxd-slayfzm-s4elyhmls9dvdwrpbztheglhqfqnd_ptc-bqm7ypwnk8ypua7qqml5abiptq224rwhs7ta_e2xawoq4tayysn3dwpyncfhbwwxw58c5sef1ytzsvpzjwieqkeyenmrdwiw7et4cdety3e5bwo7.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Eventually, <strong>Olympia &amp; York declared bankruptcy<\/strong>, and <strong>CIBC acquired ownership<\/strong> of the Edmonton property from the now-defunct developer. In a twist of fate, the bank undertook <strong>a full restoration of the nearly 70-year-old structure<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Restoration crews <strong>cleaned the exterior walls<\/strong> and sourced bricks from the <strong>same quarry<\/strong> used in the original 1929 construction. Inside, historic elements such as <strong>columns, coffered ceilings, and plaster moldings<\/strong> were <strong>repaired and repainted<\/strong>. Upper floors, abandoned since <strong>1995<\/strong>, were renovated for future office space. Additionally, a <strong>two-story extension<\/strong> linked the building to <strong>Commerce Place<\/strong>, which replaced <strong>CityCentre<\/strong> in 1993.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remarkably, the <strong>Canadian Bank of Commerce building<\/strong>, standing for nearly a century, remains one of only <strong>four <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/edmonton-yes.com\/uk\/eternal\/edmonton-v-chasy-drugoyi-svitovoyi-vijny\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>pre-World War II<\/strong><\/a><strong> bank halls<\/strong> still intact in Edmonton. It is the <strong>last of its kind still serving its original purpose<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On September 6, 1927, representatives of the Canadian Bank of Commerce visited Edmonton as part of an international tour. They were astonished by the city&#8217;s rapid growth and, before departing, announced that Alberta\u2019s capital would soon see the construction of a new bank building. This article explores how Edmonton became home to a stunning structure [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":510,"featured_media":7840,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1118],"tags":[3741,3734,3733,3732,3736,3744,3066,3737,3739,3745,3735],"motype":[1121],"moformat":[22],"moimportance":[33],"class_list":{"0":"post-7982","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-architecture","8":"tag-bank-history","9":"tag-banking-hall","10":"tag-big-changes","11":"tag-canadian-bank-of-commerce","12":"tag-canadian-imperial-bank","13":"tag-cibc-3","14":"tag-edmonton","15":"tag-historic-building","16":"tag-merger","17":"tag-restoration","18":"tag-serving-people","19":"motype-eternal","20":"moformat-longrid-korotka","21":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7982","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/510"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7982"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7982\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7992,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7982\/revisions\/7992"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7982"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7982"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7982"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=7982"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=7982"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=7982"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}