After a year-long competition, a 25 year old architect, Francis Mawson Rattenbury, was chosen in March 1892 to design B.C.’s new Parliament Buildings.

Construction began in 1893, partly to try to boost a stagnant economy. Every effort was made to use local materials and resources - granite foundations from Nelson Island, site facades from Haddington Island stone, and local brick, limestone, and Douglas fir for the construction work.

The total cost was not to exceed $600,000. When the Buildings were completed four years later, amid much controversy and argument, the total cost came to $923,882.30.