OLD IMPERIAL BANK

Architect Name: DARLING AND PEARSON
Architectural Style:
Builder Name:
Designated: Yes - 4/17/1978

Historical Notes

IT WAS A BRANCH OF THE IMPERIAL BANK (LATER THE CIBC) FROM 1906 UNTIL 1967. THE BANK GAINED NATIONWIDE ATTENTION IN MARCH 1964, WHEN THIEVES CUT THEIR WAY INTO THE VAULT IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE BANK FROM AN ADJACENT BUILDING. THE ROBBERS BRIEFLY NETTED THEMSELVES OVER $900,000 BEFORE THEIR CAPTURE THREE WEEKS LATER.

Architectural Notes

THE BANK IS AN ECLECTIC BLEND OF ROMANESQUE REVIVAL AND FRENCH RENAISSANCE STYLES. ITS MASSIVE LIMESTONE CONSTRUCTION, WITH DETAILS SUCH AS CARVED DOOR LINTELS AND BLOCK WINDOW SURROUNDS, GIVES THE IMPRESSION OF STRENGTH AND SECURITY. IT WAS DESIGNED BY THE WELL-KNOWN TORONTO FIRM OF DARLING AND PEARSON.