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Duncan City Hall Restoration: Reviving a 1913 Heritage Landmark in the Cowichan Valley
The Duncan City Hall restoration represents a pivotal chapter in Stone & Trowel’s portfolio of heritage masonry projects, blending historical preservation with modern craftsmanship to safeguard one of the Cowichan Valley’s most enduring architectural icons. Originally constructed in 1913 as a Federal Building and Post Office, this sandstone and brick structure at the corner of Kenneth and Craig Streets in Duncan, BC, had fallen into disrepair by the late 20th century. Facing demolition, it was saved and repurposed as City Hall in the 1970s, but by the 2020s, decades of exposure to Vancouver Island’s relentless rain, salt-laden winds, and freeze-thaw cycles had eroded its masonry, threatening both its aesthetic charm and structural stability.
In 2024, Stone & Trowel, in close collaboration with Lennox Masonry, was contracted by the City of Duncan to undertake a comprehensive restoration. The project focused on removing lead-based paint, repointing intricate sandstone and brickwork with traditional lime-based mortars, applying protective lime-wash, and addressing elements like the clocktower, window arches, granite staircases, and retaining walls. This effort not only restored the building’s original grandeur but also ensured its longevity as a functional municipal hub and cultural symbol. This page details the building’s rich history, the restoration vision, our meticulous process, and the project’s lasting legacy in preserving Duncan’s heritage for future generations.
The Historic Significance of Duncan's City Hall
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Duncan City Hall’s story begins in the early 20th century, during a period of rapid growth in the Cowichan Valley. Established in 1912 as a city, Duncan quickly became a commercial and administrative center for the region’s logging, farming, and Indigenous communities. The building at 202-206 Kenneth Street was erected in 1913 as the Dominion Building—a federal post office and customs house—designed in a restrained Edwardian Classical style typical of government architecture at the time. Constructed from local sandstone quarried in the nearby Cowichan area and accented with red brick, it featured a prominent clocktower, arched windows, and sturdy granite elements, reflecting the era’s emphasis on durability and civic pride.
The structure served as Duncan’s post office until 1958, when it was decommissioned amid post-war modernization. Interestingly, remnants of its original function persist today, including bank vaults in the basement that once secured federal assets. By the 1960s, the building sat vacant and deteriorating, a victim of urban neglect in a city grappling with economic shifts from resource-based industries to tourism and services. In 1974, under the leadership of Mayor Ken Paskin, a community-driven effort saved it from demolition. Recognizing its architectural and historical value, the City of Duncan acquired the property and converted it into City Hall, adapting the interior for administrative offices while preserving the exterior facade.
This adaptive reuse aligned with broader heritage movements in BC during the 1970s, influenced by the Heritage Conservation Act (enacted in 1977) and growing awareness of cultural preservation. The building was formally designated as a municipal heritage site, protecting its sandstone belts, clocktower, and arched sills under local bylaws. Over the decades, it has symbolized Duncan’s resilience—surviving economic downturns, natural wear, and even seismic risks in a region prone to earthquakes.
Architecturally, the hall exemplifies early 20th-century public building design: its sandstone facade provides a warm, textured aesthetic, while the brickwork adds contrast and strength. The clocktower, a landmark visible from downtown Duncan, serves as a functional timepiece and a nod to the city’s railway heritage (Duncan was once a key stop on the Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway). As one of the few remaining heritage masonry structures in Duncan—amid a landscape dotted with modern developments—it stands as a bridge between the Cowichan people’s millennia-old presence in the valley and the settler history that shaped the city.
By the 2020s, however, the building showed signs of age: lead-based paint flaking from sandstone elements, eroded mortar joints allowing water intrusion, efflorescence staining the brickwork, and biological growth (moss, algae) thriving in the valley’s humid climate. These issues not only detracted from its visual appeal but also posed structural risks, prompting the City of Duncan to seek expert intervention under heritage guidelines.
The Vision: Honoring History While Ensuring Longevity
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The vision for the Duncan City Hall restoration was to revitalize the building’s masonry components without altering its historic character, ensuring it remains a vibrant civic center for the next century. As a designated heritage site under the Heritage Conservation Act and local Duncan bylaws, the project needed to prioritize minimal intervention, reversible techniques, and materials compatible with the 1913 originals. The goal was twofold: address immediate deterioration (paint removal, repointing) and enhance resilience against Cowichan Valley’s environmental stressors—high rainfall (over 1,200 mm annually), salt from nearby coastal influences, and temperature fluctuations that exacerbate mortar breakdown.
Stone & Trowel and Lennox Masonry were selected for our proven track record in heritage restorations, including high-profile sites like Government House in Victoria and the Oldfield Estate in Saanich. The City of Duncan aimed for a cost-effective approach that qualified for grants, leveraging programs from Heritage BC, provincial heritage branches, and federal Historic Places Initiative (HPI) funding through Parks Canada. By using sustainable methods like lime mortar and lime-wash, the project also aligned with BC’s climate resilience initiatives, protecting the structure from increased storm intensity due to climate change.
Ultimately, the vision was to make the building “structurally sound” while preserving its original craftsmanship—transforming a neglected facade into a source of community pride that supports Duncan’s tourism economy (e.g., as part of historic walking tours) and daily municipal operations.
The Restoration Process: Precision and Innovation in Heritage Masonry
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The 2024 project unfolded over several months, involving close coordination with the City of Duncan, heritage consultants, and our combined teams at Stone & Trowel and Lennox Masonry. We approached it in phased steps to minimize disruption to city hall functions, adhering to strict safety protocols and HCA-compliant documentation.
1. Initial Assessment and Planning: A comprehensive heritage impact assessment (HIA) kicked off the work, evaluating the sandstone belts, clocktower, window sills/arches, granite staircases, and retaining walls. Inspections revealed lead-based paint hazards (common in early 20th-century buildings), deeply eroded mortar joints (up to 1 inch deep in places), efflorescence from moisture wicking, and biological growth trapping water. Lab tests confirmed the original mortar was lime-based, guiding our material choices to avoid incompatible cement that could trap moisture and cause spalling. We secured necessary permits under Duncan’s municipal heritage bylaws and the HCA, including a Heritage Alteration Permit (HAP) for visible changes. Budgeting incorporated grant applications, which covered a portion of costs through Heritage BC’s planning and assessment funds.
2. Lead Paint Removal and Surface Preparation:
The first major phase addressed the toxic lead-based paint coating the sandstone elements. Using controlled, non-abrasive methods to comply with environmental regulations, we employed specialized stripping agents and low-pressure techniques to safely remove layers without damaging the porous stone. This was critical for worker safety and to prevent runoff into the surrounding urban environment. Following paint removal, we conducted a gentle clean to prepare surfaces for repointing. Drawing from our DOFF Integra expertise at Stone & Trowel, we used superheated steam (up to 150°C at low pressure) to eliminate algae, moss, and grime from the intricate sandstone and brick details. This chemical-free method was ideal for the clocktower’s elevated surfaces and window arches, ensuring no residue was left behind. -
3. Repointing and Masonry Repairs:
With surfaces prepped, Lennox Masonry’s repointing specialists took the lead. Deteriorated mortar was carefully raked out using hand tools and low-vibration pneumatic chisels to avoid chipping the sandstone or brick. Joints were cleared to a depth of 1–1.5 times their width for proper bonding. We formulated a traditional lime-based mortar mix—incorporating Hotlime for superior adhesion and breathability—sourced from local aggregates to match the 1913 original’s color and texture. This allowed vapor permeability, essential in Duncan’s humid climate to prevent trapped moisture. Repointing was done in layers: dampening joints first, applying mortar with pointing trowels, and tooling to replicate historic profiles (concave for weather resistance). The clocktower and upper arches required scaffolding for access, while granite staircases and retaining walls were stabilized with helical ties for subtle reinforcement. Challenges included working around daily city operations (limited hours) and weather delays—rainy spells halted mortar application to ensure proper curing. Custom lime-wash was applied as a protective final coat, enhancing the sandstone’s resistance to erosion without sealing it completely. -
4. Final Inspections, Finishing, and Documentation:
Post-repointing, a Level 2 WETT inspection (if applicable for any interior flue ties) verified safety, and a heritage consultant reviewed compliance. Finishing involved brushing excess mortar and light sealing with breathable products. Detailed reports—with before/after photos, material specs, and timelines—were submitted to Heritage BC and the City, securing grant reimbursements.
Lasting Impact: A Revitalized Civic Icon for Duncan, BC
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For the City of Duncan, the project enhanced the building’s role in community life—hosting council meetings, events, and tours that highlight its heritage. It also boosted local tourism, as the hall is part of Duncan’s historic walking routes, drawing visitors interested in Cowichan Valley’s architectural past. Funding from municipal, provincial, and federal grants (e.g., Heritage BC and HPI) offset expenses, proving the economic viability of preservation.
For Stone & Trowel and Lennox Masonry, this collaboration was a milestone: it showcased our ability to handle municipal-scale heritage work, from lead paint abatement to lime-wash finishing, and strengthened partnerships with local governments. The project honed our skills in coastal masonry challenges, informing future restorations like those at Government House or the Oldfield Estate. It also underscored the importance of community-driven heritage—saving a building that could have been lost, much like its 1974 rescue from demolition.
Environmentally, the use of sustainable lime materials minimized impact, aligning with BC’s green building initiatives. Culturally, it preserves a piece of Duncan’s settler history while respecting the unceded traditional territory of the Cowichan Tribes, emphasizing inclusive stewardship.
f your heritage property in the Cowichan Valley, Greater Victoria, or Vancouver Island requires chimney inspection, repointing, or full masonry restoration, contact Stone & Trowel for a consultation. Let’s protect your legacy together.
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