Welcome to the Hemingway Building
Historical Overview
The Hemingway Building, located at 33765 Essendene Avenue, has been a cornerstone of Abbotsford's downtown for over 90 years. Constructed in 1930, the building originally housed a liquor store and a pharmacy on the main floor, with the basement used for storage and heating. The bricks used in its construction were sourced from the renowned Clayburn Brick Factory, adding historical significance to its architecture.Milestones
1907
H. Alanson Hardware operates on the site.
1918
Alanson's Hardware taken over by Hugo P. Knoll, renamed Knoll Hardware.
1926
Knoll enlarges the building into the adjacent vacant lot (21' wide by 68' deep).
November 14, 1928
Fire wiped out an entire block of the business section of Abbotsford destroying the Royal Bank, Lee's Grocery, Knoll Hardware and Barber's Shoe Store, all on Essendene Avenue between Railway and Montrose.
1930
Crist building was constructed using materials which included concrete, locally produced Clayburn Company bricks, timbers—with some repurposed from the train station up the road. The building was initially developed as two spaces, plus a basement. The West side of the building contained the BC Liquor Store while the East side of the building was occupied by Weir’s Pharmacy. The building first opened its doors on September 30, 1930.
June 3, 1951
Weir’s Rexall Pharmacy damaged by fire.
1960
Crist Building converted to one interior space, occupied by Pay-Less Clothing.
1970
Crist Building occupied by Ronal Television.
1976
Suran Enterprises moved after Ronal Television closes.
June, 1979
A fire in the building closes the doors for Suran Enterprises.
1982
After the building was ready to be re-occupied, The Salvation Army relocated from their Montrose location into the Crist building.
1995
Hemingway's Books and Records opens, becoming an iconic part of Historic Downtown Abbotsford.
November 21, 2022
After a deal to purchase the Hemingway Books and Records business collapses, the owner, Dave Kyle, announces that the store will be closing its doors.
January 14, 2023
Dave Kyle, the owner of the business retires and closes the doors of the business indefinitely. Plans begin to redevelop the Crist building back into the two original retail spaces (East and West), preserving as many of the original architectural features as possible.
July, 2023
Redevelopment of the main level is complete. Modernized suites in the original Weir’s Rexall Pharmacy location (East side) and the original BC Liquor Store (West side) are ready for new occupants.
August, 2023
Abbotsford Downtown Business Association launches Open Space in the West side of the building, becoming the first organization to reoccupy the original 1930’s BC Liquor Store location.
October, 2023
Redevelopment of the lower level is complete. This project included preserving historic architectural features such as exposed timbers (original, however also reclaimed from the local train station just up the road), refinishing the original concrete floors, and leaving the original 1930's chimney exposed as a feature (which constructed with some of the final bricks produced at the local Clayburn Brick plant).
November, 2023
Clearbridge Business Solutions moves into the lower level (the original basement) on an interim basis awaiting completion of their new offices at 33761 Essendene Avenue (the original RBC Royal Bank location).
May 24, 2024
The Social Salon moves in into the East side of the building, becoming the first business to reoccupy the original 1930’s Weir’s Rexall location.
September 1, 2024
Hemingway Professional Offices (HPO) opens in Historic Downtown Abbotsford, providing local entrepreneurs and business owners with distinctive office spaces designed to inspire and support their ventures. The HPO name pays tribute to 33 years of Hemingway Books and Records—a mainstay business in Historic Downtown Abbotsford.
November, 2024
The Crist building officially renamed "The Hemingway Building" out of recognition to 33 years of operations in Historic Downtown Abbotsford. For those who call Abbotsford home, Hemingway Books and Records, is a household name and is familiar to most.
December, 2024
The Hemingway Building reaches full occupancy for the first time since Hemingway Books and Records closed its doors on January 14, 2023.
Architectural Highlights
- Original timbers, beams, and posts are still in place.
- Historically significant Clayburn bricks contribute to the building’s heritage aesthetic.
- Early 20th-century architectural styles, common in Abbotsford.
- Multiple spaces throughout, covering retail, office, and other similar uses.
Architectural Highlights
- Original timbers, beams, and posts are still in place.
- Historically significant Clayburn bricks contribute to the building’s heritage aesthetic.
- Early 20th-century architectural styles, common in Abbotsford.
- Multiple spaces throughout, covering retail, office, and other similar uses.
Milestones
1907
H. Alanson Hardware operates on the site.
1918
Alanson's Hardware taken over by Hugo P. Knoll, renamed Knoll Hardware.
1926
Knoll enlarges the building into the adjacent vacant lot (21' wide by 68' deep).
1930s
Initially developed as two spaces with a liquor store and pharmacy occupying the main floor.
September 29, 1930
Crist Building constructed by Norman Roy Crist; home to BC Liquor Store (West) and Weir’s Pharmacy (East).
June 3, 1951
Weir’s Rexall Pharmacy damaged by fire.
1960
Crist Building converted to one interior space, occupied by Pay-Less Clothing.
1970
Crist Building occupied by Ronal Television.
A fire occurred, leading to renovations that preserved the building's historical features.
1982
Crist Building occupied by Salvation Army Thrift Store.
1990
Crist Building occupied by Hemingway’s.
1990
Crist Building occupied by Hemingway’s.
Mid-20th Century
Hosted various retails business, including Payless.
1995
Hemingway's Books and Records opens, becoming an iconic part of Historic Downtown Abbotsford.
2022
The owner of Hemingway's Books and Records retires in his 70's and plans begin to redevelop the building for a new era of businesses. Considerable efforts are made to preserve as many of the original features as possible. This included refurbishing and re-using Clayburn Bricks, originally poured concrete floors, and the original timbers supporting the main floor while introducing new features such as glass, commercial grade flooring, electronic and security upgrades, as well as modern heating and cooling systems.
2023
The owner of Hemingway's Books and Records retires in his 70's and plans begin to redevelop the building for a new era of businesses. Considerable efforts are made to preserve as many of the original features as possible. This included refurbishing and re-using Clayburn Bricks, originally poured concrete floors, and the original timbers supporting the main floor while introducing new features such as glass, commercial grade flooring, electronic and security upgrades, as well as modern heating and cooling systems.
Crist Building converted back to two retail spaces with offices added in the rear and basement; Downtown Abbotsford Association occupies the East.
2024
The Hemingway Professional Offices opens its doors to support entrepreneurs looking for modern yet historic spaces to run their businesses in Historic Downtown Abbotsford.
The Social Salon occupies the original West side; building renamed Hemingway Building to honor 33 years of Hemingway Books and Records.
Milestones
1907
H. Alanson Hardware operates on the site.
1918
Alanson's Hardware taken over by Hugo P. Knoll, renamed Knoll Hardware.
1926
Knoll enlarges the building into the adjacent vacant lot (21' wide by 68' deep).
1930s
Initially developed as two spaces with a liquor store and pharmacy occupying the main floor.
September 29, 1930
Crist Building constructed by Norman Roy Crist; home to BC Liquor Store (West) and Weir’s Pharmacy (East).
June 3, 1951
Weir’s Rexall Pharmacy damaged by fire.
1960
Crist Building converted to one interior space, occupied by Pay-Less Clothing.
1970
Crist Building occupied by Ronal Television.
A fire occurred, leading to renovations that preserved the building's historical features.
1982
Crist Building occupied by Salvation Army Thrift Store.
1990
Crist Building occupied by Hemingway’s.
1990
Crist Building occupied by Hemingway’s.
Mid-20th Century
Hosted various retails business, including Payless.
1995
Hemingway's Books and Records opens, becoming an iconic part of Historic Downtown Abbotsford.
2022
The owner of Hemingway's Books and Records retires in his 70's and plans begin to redevelop the building for a new era of businesses. Considerable efforts are made to preserve as many of the original features as possible. This included refurbishing and re-using Clayburn Bricks, originally poured concrete floors, and the original timbers supporting the main floor while introducing new features such as glass, commercial grade flooring, electronic and security upgrades, as well as modern heating and cooling systems.
2023
The owner of Hemingway's Books and Records retires in his 70's and plans begin to redevelop the building for a new era of businesses. Considerable efforts are made to preserve as many of the original features as possible. This included refurbishing and re-using Clayburn Bricks, originally poured concrete floors, and the original timbers supporting the main floor while introducing new features such as glass, commercial grade flooring, electronic and security upgrades, as well as modern heating and cooling systems.
Crist Building converted back to two retail spaces with offices added in the rear and basement; Downtown Abbotsford Association occupies the East.
2024
The Hemingway Professional Offices opens its doors to support entrepreneurs looking for modern yet historic spaces to run their businesses in Historic Downtown Abbotsford.
The Social Salon occupies the original West side; building renamed Hemingway Building to honor 33 years of Hemingway Books and Records.