In the shadows of the Park Towers complex, Richmond Square and beyond looking northeast, ca. 1974. City of Richmond Archives Photograph 1988 123 656

Advertisement in Richmond Review newspaper, November 10, 1972. City of Richmond Archives newspaper collection

The early 1970s saw the construction of Richmond’s first high-rise buildings, the 17-storey Park Towers complex off Minoru Boulevard.  The three-tower project was designed by Erickson-Massey Architects under the terms of the municipality’s first land use contract. Prior to this time, the highest building in Richmond was Richmond General Hospital, at a height of 6 storeys.

The first two towers (“C” and “B”) opened for occupancy in 1972 and were designed as rental accommodation. The final tower (“A”) was completed the following year and became condominium housing.   The Towers were advertised as a place for “luxurious living …in the heart of Richmond.”

Richmond Square, No. 3 Road and beyond looking east, ca. 1974. City of Richmond Archives Photograph 1988 123 652

Shortly after construction of the final tower, Engineering Department staff took photographs from the building of its surroundings, including Richmond Square (now Richmond Centre Mall) to the east and Minoru Park to the west. These slides were recently described and scanned as part of the City of Richmond Archives’ ongoing digitization program.

Richmond Twin Theatres, Municipal Hall and beyond looking southeast, ca. 1974. City of Richmond Archives Photograph 1988 123 654

The images provide a view of Richmond’s Town Centre in transition at the beginning of its rapid development through the 1970s and 1980s.

Minoru Park (with Minoru Chapel) and beyond looking northwest, ca. 1974. City of Richmond Archives Photograph 1988 123 660

[Note – this is an updated version of an article first published in the Spring 2015 issue of the Archives News]