Allied Properties has acquired the Dominion Building in Vancouver from Army & Navy Properties.

The Dominion Building is designated as a Class A heritage structure, visually distinct with its flat-iron form that is a product of its trapezoidal-shaped lot. Completed in 1910, the 53-metre-tall, 13-storey tower was briefly the tallest commercial building in the British Empire.

Allied also owns the Sun Tower, which is to the southeast of the Dominion Building and is also a heritage building. The 82-meter-tall Sun Tower was completed in 1912, superseding the Dominion Building as the tallest building in Vancouver.

Army & Navy Department Stores founder Samuel Cohen acquired the Dominion Building in 1943, and the family’s Army & Navy Properties has operated it since.

“We’ll be a worthy successor owner to Army & Navy Properties in terms of both sensitivity and commitment to Downtown Vancouver,” said Michael Emory, Allied’s president and CEO. “Because of its location, building attributes and operating history over many decades, the Dominion Building will enable us to accommodate smaller users who need more flexible lease terms. This will be particularly helpful as we reconfigure other buildings with larger floorplates to accommodate larger users with longer-term requirements.”

Allied expects the acquisition of the Dominion Building to close in mid-November of 2021, subject to customary conditions.