1608 Fort Street

ARCHITECTURE:

A charming little commercial building, this is substantially larger than it looks, and has an interesting history.

Built originally as Yokohama Pressers, it has several Japanese references, especially the scalloped front gable topped with a pagoda-like element. Modern plate-glass windows bracket a recessed entry: Originally, multi-paned casement windows were recessed on the same plane as the doorway. A canopy now masks a clerestory of nine windows. Corner pilasters extend through a pent roof, and are echoed by two short pilasters in the gable. There are several extensions, including a rear suite below the store.

ORIGINAL OCCUPANTS:

Yokohama Pressers, which operated as early as 1917, was originally located across the street. In 1923, under proprietor R. Nagao, this building was built. In 1926, O. Onishi took over and re-named it Junction Tailors.

OTHER OCCUPANTS:

Junction Tailors was seized from the owners during World War II, after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour: BC’s Japanese were dispossessed and moved inland to camps. The business was taken over by a Chinese family, under the name of Yee Ham, who operated it until 1980.

In 1981 the building became a furniture retail outlet named Interiors, a branch of Standard Furniture. Harold Tweten was the owner/manager. He won a Hallmark Heritage Society Award in 1982 for his restoration of the building.