Now part of Vancouver’s extensive RCMP complex on Heather Street, the Fairmount Building was constructed in 1912. The Fairmount Academy was originally an elite private school for boys and was built in Tudor Revival style. In the early part of the 20th century, Tudor Revival became very popular throughout British Columbia and was used for private houses, hotels, railway stations, hospitals, and provincial government buildings. By 1914, British Columbia Tudor had become more sophisticated and was faithfully copying the fine detail of the Tudor Revival in Britain.

During World War I, the Fairmount Academy fell on hard times. In 1918, it was taken over by the federal government and turned into a military hospital. In 1920, the building became the Fairmount Barracks of the RCMP Pacific Command. Over the years, with the growth of the RCMP, the Fairmount Building is no longer the principal building on the site. Plans are to establish a larger, regional headquarters in Surrey.

The Fairmount Building is on Vancouver’s heritage list, and there is an ongoing discussion about its future options.

Douglas Aitken is the author of the book Three Faces of Vancouver. Every Monday, Faces of Vancouver looks at the area’s buildings, past and present, with a focus on Vancouver’s European, Asian, and First Nations cultures.