British Columbia House

British Columbia House stands in Westminster on the corner of Regent Street. The Grade II listed building was designed by Alfred Burr and completed in 1914. It served as the London office for the province of British Columbia, first under Agent-General John Herbert Turner. Turner left the post before the building’s 1915 opening, when Richard McBride took over. McBride died in 1917 and Turner returned for a second term. The building’s history reflects the changing links between London and British Columbia. It was built to house the province’s representative in the capital. The Crown Estate now owns the property and leases it to commercial tenants. A major refurbishment costing £8.5 million took place in 2013. Inside, the refurbished interiors combine original Edwardian features with modern offices. The façade still shows the building’s early 20th-century character. The corner entrance on Regent Street remains a landmark. The upper floors retain decorative plasterwork and tall windows. The lower floors have been adapted for contemporary use while keeping the historic setting.