Viewing Object

The Coronation Block was originally constructed as a commercial duplex at the corner of Glover Road and Francis Avenue in 1911. Mr. Charles Edward Hope, a prominent architect, civil engineer, and estate and financial agent, built the revenue property for Mrs. Lily Dawson Hope. The raised front parapet has an unusual, curved shape, with dentil blocks under the cornice and stunning eave brackets.

Many businesses have operated out of the building, which has been known and loved as Fort Langley’s most distinctive storefronts, “the old drugstore”, and BC’s first pharmacy. Over the years there have been renovations and remodels which saw the building changing to a one single space and the second floor converting from a storage area to living quarters. It has been used as a pharmacy, a butcher shop, a clothing shop, a bank, a veterinary office, a photography studio, a radio shop, a grocery store and recently an art gallery just to name a few.

The name “Coronation Block” was in honor of the crowning of King George V of England, who ascended the throne in 1910.

2013 - Suzanne is an interdisciplinary artist whose explorations have crossed into the worlds of poetry, video, photography and natural history. Her subject matter over thirty years of work has included the human body, crow migration, butterfly cycles and bog wetlands. She values the freedom to study in an organic way, allowing the subject to suggest the methodology, watching to see how what is learned in one domain informs another. As an art instructor, Northcott works to illuminate mysteries of the creative process with humour and insight and is known for her ability to help students break through to new personal ground in their work.

Northcott’s work is held in numerous collections including the Surrey Art Gallery’s public collection. She is represented by Granville Fine Art in Vancouver.