Foster Block

This building has heritage value as a quality example of commercial development that occurred in Downtown Kelowna during the 1920s and for having accommodated a variety of occupants that represent a range of downtown Kelowna businesses over the decades.

The architectural value lies in its being a very good representative of the one-storey brick commercial buildings erected in downtown Kelowna during the 1920s. It was built in 1921 by W.R. Foster, on the site to which Eli Lequime's wood-frame store of 1892 had been moved to make way for its stone-and-brick replacement of 1904 (229-233 Bernard Avenue). The present brick facade is plain, reminiscent of the earlier Lequime Store, and achieves dignity through its ordered composition and classical detailing.

The many occupants, who changed frequently, have historical value for being representative of the kinds of businesses that were based on and around Bernard Avenue. Apparently initially occupied by offices, the building was converted to retail stores in 1924. In 1948 the occupants were Canadian Pacific Express Co. (at No. 235), OK Used Furniture (No. 239), and Heather's Ladies' Ready to Wear (No. 243). By 1956 OK Used Furniture, established by R.G. Ritchie after his return from service in the Second World War, had taken over the entire building and other businesses had moved to other locations. Ritchie and his sons later expanded the business at another location into Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers, which has operated widely within and beyond the Okanagan. The building was reconverted to offices in 1967, and now houses both service and retail businesses: Windward Travel and a fudge-and-ice-cream shop. The historic pattern of land use has value as an important chronicle of the evolution of Kelowna's downtown area from its earliest days to the present.