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Online Heritage Inventory

Tasaka Barbershop

General Information
Thumbnail photograph of Tasaka Barbershop
Click to see full image
Type of Resource: Building
Common Name: Phoenix Art
Address: 3891 Moncton Street
Neighbourhood (Planning Area Name): Steveston
Construction Date: circa 1938 (or earlier)
Current Owner: Private
Designated: No

Statement of Significance
Description of Site
Constructed in 1938, the Tasaka Barbershop building is a one-storey false front wooden structure that sits flush with the street, part of a row of similar commercial buildings along Moncton Street in downtown Steveston. All of the buildings are of a similar age and scale, and present a continuous façade of small retail shops.

 Statement of Values
The heritage value of the Tasaka Barbershop building is due in part to its historic role as part of an almost-continuous façade of simple, wood frame buildings along Moncton Street. It forms part of the pattern of commercial development which characterized Steveston in the early part of the twentieth century, as the area boomed in population and economic wealth from farming and fishing.
The Tasaka Barbershop is also significant as a fine example of an early, wood frame, false front building. The building is of a similar scale to the majority of the buildings in the vicinity, oriented and built flush to the street, emphasizing the flow of pedestrian traffic which would have occurred early in the century along Steveston’s main street.

 Character Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of the site include:
· Design details typical of early commercial buildings including a front gable roof, square false front with a double-hung window and decorative moulded cornice, typical rectangular building behind, side shed gable window and brick chimneys
· The height, scale, colour and massing of the building typical of the street
· Its orientation and relationship to Moncton Street
· Its presence as part of the historical development form of the street and its contribution to the liveliness and diversity of the streetscape.

 History
Constructed in 1938, the Tasaka Barbershop building is a one-storey false front wooden structure that sits flush with the street, part of a row of similar commercial buildings along Moncton Street in downtown Steveston. All of the buildings are of a similar age and scale, and present a continuous façade of small retail shops.

 Architectural Significance
Architectural Style
Boomtown

 Building Type
Commercial/Retail

 Design Features
A rectangular building with white stucco siding and black asphalt roof, this structure sports a false wooden front. The top of the false front has a decorative , moulded cornice at the very top, which is a typical example of this style and is an attempt at adding a sense of dignity and permanence to the structure. A small shed dormer window protrudes from the roof at the side. Large, rectangular, double hung wooden windows line the side elevation. A door with a small roof allows entry off the side to the rear residential quarters. A small, double hung window adorns the middle of the false front at the upper level. The front window consists of a large, single pane with blue sash. The main door to the shop is built at an angle and is painted bright yellow. It is wooden with a nine pane window in the top half.

 Landscape Significance
(No information available)

 Integrity
Alterations
Most likely the stucco covers original woodwork. The roof appears to have been fairly recently done. The side windows appear to be original. There are doubts as to the authenticity of the front window. The chimneys appear to be original.

 Original Location
Yes

 Condition
The building looks to be in good condition. The condition of the material beneath the stucco is unknown.

 Lost
No

 Documentation
Evaluated By
Julie MacDonald (Julie MacDonald Heritage Consulting)

 Date
Tuesday, February 15, 2000

 Documentation
Heritage Inventory, Phase II” by Foundation Group Designs, May 1989. Inventory Sheets by Diana Bodnar (Foundation Group), January 1989.

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