The building is an example of early 20th century commerce and commercial architecture in downtown Vancouver.  It is a two-story concrete building, designed and built in a restrained commercial style.  The simplicity of its stripped early modern design and poured concrete construction is a reflection of the desire of Vancouver’s World War I era business community to participate in the growth and prosperity of the new 20th century. 

The building has occupied the southeast corner of Columbia and 4th Streets for nearly 90 years and has been home to a variety of businesses including an automotive showroom and repair shop, a blacksmith, a grocery store, a brewery and an electric business. 

Although the building has had many different businesses and uses occupy its interior, the exterior scale, massing and limited ornamentation have changed little.  The character defining elements of the interior – the massive timber support system – is completely intact.  Every element of the building was designed to enhance the function of the building, i.e., to showcase merchandise and facilitate its interior movement and storage. 

When Lucky Lager opened its brewery plan in downtown Vancouver, the building at 215 W. 4th Street offered its super-engineered second story as a convenient brewery warehouse.  Lucky Lager closed its Vancouver plant and nearly all evidence of its iconic presence in downtown Vancouver is gone today except for this building.

• Listed on the Clark County Heritage Register in 2009