Nanaimo’s iconic Bastion is one of the best 100 buildings in B.C., according to B.C.’s Best Buildings Contest. The historic structure placed third in the Vancouver Island region. B.C.’s Best Buildings Contest was hosted by the Architectural Foundation of B.C. to mark 100 years of architecture as a profession in the province. The Bastion will receive a commemorative plaque to mark this honour.
The Bastion ranked third on Vancouver Island after the Empress Hotel and Parliament Buildings in Victoria. The judges noted that the Bastion is a relic of Nanaimo’s early Hudson’s Bay Company history that remains significant to regional history and a source of pride for Nanaimo residents.
More than 450 entries were evaluated by a panel of judges and the public was invited to vote online for their favourite buildings. The judges assessed the top 25 nominations for appearance, sentimental value, historical significance and originality.
The Bastion is operated by the Nanaimo Museum and owned by the City of Nanaimo.