Beveridge Block: Pre-Renovation

Downtown Medicine Hat, Alberta is changing, and it's especially evident along 2nd Street in buildings like the Beveridge Block. Several years ago I began documenting and photographing the exploration of old structures around the city, and amazingly, after a few renovations began much of that work became historical practically overnight. 


The Beveridge Block remained largely unused / nearly abandoned for years, but it's currently being renovated into an event space. I haven't seen the work they've done and I'm not connected to the project in any way. What's interesting about it from my perspective is what I captured of the space prior to there being any interest in the property. 

It was here in the Beveridge Block in 2013, that in collaboration with Spectacle, we hosted our Thinking Hat exhibition to showcase the historic fabric and future potential of Medicine Hat's downtown core. There have been a lot of champions for our downtown, and not surprisingly, with increased buzz a number of properties began renovation in the years that followed.    

In 2012 I first photographed the exterior, and followed up with interior shots in early 2013. You can see how raw the property was at that time. A faded mural covered one side of the building, original floor boards were stacked in the back, and layers of paint had been stripped from the woodwork. It'll be interesting to see the next chapter of the Beveridge. 

On the roof of the Beveridge during Thinking Hat.

Guardian Building in Detroit, Michigan

Constructed in 1928, the Guardian Building (originally the Union Trust Building) is a landmark skyscraper in downtown Detroit, Michigan. Located within the financial district, the structure was built by the Union Trust Company, however their occupancy was short lived after the market collapse of 1929. An attempt at reorganization led to the Union Guardian Trust Company, hence the structure became known as the Guardian Building. 

In World War II, with Detroit's factories converted from manufacturing automobiles, the Guardian Building became the U.S. Army Command Center for war time production. Housing a variety of companies in the years that followed, today the offices of Wayne County are located here. 

The striking architecture of the Guardian Building was intended to make the structure a standout in the 1920s, and it's arguably even more of a standout today. Nicknamed the Cathedral of Finance, the Guardian Building is a prime example of Art Deco architecture. With streamline moderne designs and Native American and Aztec influences, the building was intentionally designed using warmer tones to differentiate itself from other Detroit skyscrapers. Rising 36 stories, it combines brickwork with tile, limestone, and terra cotta embellishments. All things considered, I think the images allow this incredible landmark to speak for itself.

The landmark Guardian Building on the right.

Fisherman's Wharf of San Francisco

Waterfront restaurants, street cars, and wall to wall pedestrians make up the bustling neighborhood of Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California. It's an incredibly popular spots for tourists, so depending on what you're looking for in San Francisco you'll find as many kitschy shops here as authentic places to explore. Fisherman's Wharf is as vibrant as it can be headache inducing, but on a road trip spanning the Pacific Coast it was right on theme.