From the April 28, 1920 issue of the Border Cities Star.
PROPOSED BORDER BANK BUILDING
The above engraving is from a sketch made by McGrifin & Smith, Toronto architects, of the proposed building for the Bank of Hamilton at the corner of Ouelllette avenue and Chatham streets, Windsor. Tenders are now being called for and it is said to be the intention of the bank to proceed with construction work as soon as possible. The front and Chatham street side of the building will probably be of stone. The bank intends to occupy the entire first floor, the other parts of the building being available for office purposes.
I have no idea why this one didn’t get built. The Bank of Hamilton merged with the Bank of Commerce in January 1924, so it’s not like the bank ceased to exist after these plans were drawn.
Too bad, this would have been nice to have downtown, although it would probably have been demolished by now even if it had been 🙂
A beauty, and not unlike the Bank of Hamilton headquarters building which anchored Hamilton’s main intersection (King & James) until sadly being sacrificed by CIBC in the late 1980s so that Commerce Place could be built.
You are right Andrew. it would have been demolished anyway fro probably another bank. We know how much Canadian banks like to play the shuffle game downtown.
I think it would still be there if it was built. Just look at what’s on that site now–two story Shanfields with that horrendously painted facade.
Most of the elegant mini highrise office buildings of this height built around that time period continue to stand today because they were so solidly built. In fact, were there any office buildings of this height or higher built around this time period in downtown demolished?
Since it would have been across the street from the Paul Martin building, I’m guessin it would have been more government offices today if a bank didn’t occupy it. It’s a shame it never was built.
I’m not sure what corner it would have been built on.
Looking at the rendering I think it would have been the n.w. corner, where the Paul Martin building is today.
Back then the old Post Office didn’t stretch the entire lenght of the block.
I don’t think it’s the northwest corner where the Paul Martin building is because the entrance would normally face the main street, which is Ouellette. The entrance is on the narrow side. The Canada building also has the narrow side facing Ouellette Street, just like the Medical Arts building. The BMO building at University also has it’s entance facing Ouellette. It could be the southwest corner, but were there three story buildings next to it at that corner at that time?
the base of this thing is reminding me of the base of another building around here but i can’t put my finger on it….am i thinking the old bank of commerce??? this is bugging me.
i think david is right though. the ad says “the frontand chatham street sides” . placing it on the NE corner would be the only way for the front to not be on chatham, unless this picture is reversed. i could easily assume that the 3 story building in the picture is manning house.
if that didn’t make any sense, i appologize lol