Acton Ostry Architects

Located in the historic Victory Square district of Vancouver, the Flack Block is a heritage landmark designed in the Romanesque Revival style that underwent a full restoration of the rough-dressed Indiana gray limestone cladding, columns, cornice, arched windows and the recreation of a stunning, intricately carved entry archway that was reproduced from old photographs. More than 36 tonnes of handcarved stone were used to create the reinstated entry archway. A new steel and glass penthouse was added atop the building and extensive seismic and building system upgrades were performed. An open steel elevator shaft and wraparound stair were refurbished, as were the exposed brick interior walls and laminated timber floors.

project

Flack Block

location

Vancouver, BC

client

The Salient Group

completion

2009

size

1,300 m2

Indiana gray limestone exterior.

Indiana gray limestone exterior

sustainability

LEED Gold certified

awards & recognition

2010
Heritage BC Outstanding Achievement Award

2009
City of Vancouver Heritage Honour Award

Flack Block view from Victory Square.

Flack Block view from Victory Square

The restoration of the Flack Block has been transformed, once again giving it prominence worthy of its location across from Victory Square. The Flack Block will be a Vancouver landmark for many years to come.

Heritage BC

limestone cladding restoration.

limestone cladding restoration

reinstated entry archway.

reinstated entry archway

archway detail.

archway detail

lobby entrance.

lobby entrance

historic Flack Block c. 1920s.

historic Flack Block c. 1920s

completed restoration with new penthouse addition.

completed restoration with new penthouse addition

open steel elevator shaft.

open steel elevator shaft

exposed brick walls and timber laminated floor.

exposed brick walls and timber laminated floor

penthouse addition interior.

penthouse addition interior

penthouse addition terrace.

penthouse addition terrace

The Vancouver Heritage Commission wishes to recognize and honour the Flack Block for the careful restoration of the exterior stonework, and the exemplary re-creation of the arch stone entry, physically and symbolically restoring the prominence of the corner across from Victory Square

City of Vancouver Heritage Award