The statue of Captain George Vancouver in front of City Hall
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City Mayors lists cities and city organisations, profiles individual mayors and provides information on hundreds of urban events. More
City Mayors reports news from towns and cities around the world. Worldwide | Elections | North America | Latin America | Europe | Asia | Africa |
City Mayors ranks the world’s largest, best as well as richest cities and urban areas. It also ranks the cities in individual countries, and provides a list of the capital cities of some 200 sovereign countries. More
City Mayors profiles city leaders from around the world. More
City Mayors describes the history, architecture and politics of the greatest city halls in the world. More
Mayors from The Americas, Europe. Asia, Australia and Africa compete for the World Mayor Award. More
Use Mayor Monitor to rate the performance of mayors from across the world More
In your opinion: Praise Criticise. Write
City Mayors reports political events, analyses the issues and depicts the main players. More
City Mayors describes and explains the structures and workings of local government in Europe, The Americas, Asia, Australia and Africa. More
City Mayors deals with economic and investment issues affecting towns and cities. More
City Mayors describes and explains financial issues affecting local government. More
City Mayors reports urban environmental developments and examines the challenges faced by cities worldwide. More
City Mayors reports on and discusses urban development issues in developed and developing countries. More
City Mayors reports on developments in urban society and behaviour and reviews relevant research. More
City Mayors invites readers to write about the people in their cities. More
City Mayors examines city brands and marketing. More
City Mayors lists and features urban events, conferences and conventions aimed at urban decision makers and those with an interst in cities worldwide. More
City Mayors deals with urban transport issues in developed and developing countries and features the world’s greatest metro systems. More
City Mayors examines education issues and policies affecting children and adults in urban areas. More
City Mayors investigates health issues affecting urban areas with an emphasis on health in cities in developing countries. More
City Mayors reports on how business developments impact on cities and examines cooperation between cities and the private sector. More
City Mayors examines the contributions history and culture make to urban society and environment. More
City Mayors examines the importance of urban tourism to city economies. More
City Mayors questions those who govern the world’s cities and talks to men and women who contribute to urban society and environment. More
City Mayors profiles national and international organisations representing cities as well as those dealing with urban issues. More
City Mayors reports on major national and international sporting events and their impact on cities. More
City Mayors lists cities and city organisations, profiles individual mayors and provides information on hundreds of urban events. More
Vancouver City Hall:
Built in only 330 days
By Gregor Gosciniak
7 August 2007: Construction of the new Vancouver City Hall began on 3 January in Vancouver's Golden Jubilee Year of 1936 and was completed on 1 December of the same year .The first cornerstone was laid by former Mayor Gerry McGeer on 2 July. Construction of the building was commissioned by the Vancouver Civic Building Committee and the building was designed by architect Fred Townley and Matheson.
The $1 million construction cost was provided by a special bond issue. City Hall was completed on 1 December after only 330 days of construction work. The building has a twelve storey tower featuring a clock on the top. As a decorative item an eight-foot statue of Captain George Vancouver was placed at the front of the building. George Vancouver was a Royal Navy officer, who became well known for his exploration of North America, including the Pacific coast along today’s Canadian province of British Columbia and the American states of Alaska, Washington state and Oregon. The statue was designed by Charles Marega and unveiled on 20 August 20 by the then Lord Mayor of London, Sir Percy Vincent.
Besides unveiling the statue, Sir Percy also presented several gifts to the city like a civic mace and a sprig "...from a tree in the orchard where a falling apple gave Isaac Newton the idea that led to his theory of gravity." Till today the mace and the statue still reside at city hall. The outer doors of City Hall are decorated with lock plates displaying the Vancouver Coat of Arms, and each doorknob bares the monogram of the building.
The ceiling on the second floor of the rotunda is covered with gold leaf, originating from several British Columbia gold mines. The building's style stands at a transitional point between the vertical, highly ornamented Art Deco style and the simpler, more horizontal Modern.
The ceremonial and formal spaces of the third floor, which include today’s Council Chambers are still the same they were in the late 1930s. The chambers are two stories in height, with a rear balcony, high windows, large brass wall sconces, a central inset clock, and beautifully veneered wall panels. The woodwork is lovingly detailed and very well preserved.
The four large modernistic cast brass suspended chandeliers still light the Chambers. The first mayor of Vancouver to occupy the brand-new city hall on 2 January 1937 was George Clark Miller after he won the civic election the previous December. Construction of an additional four-storey east wing began in 1969 and was completed in 1970. In March1976 the complex was officially declared a historic site. Today City Hall is home to Vancouver City Council and the office of Mayor Sam Sullivan, a recipient of the nation’s highest honour, the Order of Canada, for his community service on behalf of marginalized people. Mayor Sullivan is the founder of six non-profit organizations that have improved the lives of thousands of North Americans with disabilities. After being elected to Vancouver City Council in 1993, Sullivan served as a Councillor for 12 years. He was elected Mayor in November 2005.
