Historic Prison, proposes $ 25 Million Marriott- New Westminster

Seattle WA

01 March, 2022

12:05 PM

Description

The handful of prison structures that were retained include not only the Gaol Building but also the stately Gatehouse with its twin towers, a corner guard house, a commemorative cairn, and Royal Engineers survey monument. The Gatehouse, located at 319 Governors Court, built in 1901, is proposed an extension on this Heritage site, plans for 80 Room, Hotel on Prototype of Residence Inn, by Marriott's Hotels.  by Architects KMBR-Vancouver, Bassem Tawfik. New Westminster City Planner Ms. Samantha Bohmert, has in a email requested the Architect to involve the " Heritage Society", to study the plan and include the Sapperton Neighbors, for this development. Marriott's International, Western Executive Mr. Duncan Chiu, based in Vancouver and the owners, are very excited to develop this "Heritage Site" into a "Heritage Hotel" The Gatehouse building of the former British Columbia Penitentiary at 319 Governors Court in New Westminster.  After British Columbia joined confederation in 1871 and with the population of western Canada increasing, the need for a federal prison in western Canada became apparent. The fact that the transcontinental railroad had not yet been constructed made transporting prisoners long distances east to other federal institutions costly and difficult, which further exacerbated this need. Planning and construction for the BC Penitentiary began in 1874. The site selected was a hillside overlooking the Fraser River in the Sapperton neighbourhood of New Westminster.[2] The prison received its first inmates in 1878 and opened without fanfare.[3] The buildings and structures that made up the BC Penitentiary site were added gradually. The original complex comprised the main gate house and a few brick and wooden buildings. The large cell blocks, which housed most of the inmates, were constructed between 1904 and 1914.[4] BC Penitentiary under construction in 1877 Also designated as a heritage building, according to the public library, the Gatehouse resembles a fortress-like castle, was used as a neighbourhood hub. It is occupied by Sprigndale  Daycare and Preschool. The Gatehouse earned its name for being the main entrance into the high stone-walled penitentiary enclosure. For vintage photos and more information of the former BC Penitentiary, click here. The Gatehouse