Robert Bateman Centre/Steamship Terminal Building
Yet another of architect Francis Rattenbury’s iconic buildings, and perhaps the most beautiful of them all. This was, indeed, the old steamship terminal, built in 1924 in a graceful Beaux Arts style. Today, after a major renovation, the building houses an upstairs gallery with more than 100 works by the esteemed wildlife artist Robert Bateman, who lives on nearby Salt Spring Island. (It’s a vastly different vibe from its previous tenant, the fabulously cheesy Royal London Wax Museum.) This is the largest collection of Bateman’s works, a thought-provoking display that encourages us to explore our relationship with nature. Meanwhile, the main floor is home to a restaurant, the casual Steamship Grill, and a gift shop selling fine Canadian crafts.
Yet another of architect Francis Rattenbury’s iconic buildings, and perhaps the most beautiful of them all. This was, indeed, the old steamship terminal, built in 1924 in a graceful Beaux Arts style. Today, after a major renovation, the building houses an upstairs gallery with more than 100 works by the esteemed wildlife artist Robert Bateman, who lives on nearby Salt Spring Island. (It’s a vastly different vibe from its previous tenant, the fabulously cheesy Royal London Wax Museum.) This is the largest collection of Bateman’s works, a thought-provoking display that encourages us to explore our relationship with nature. Meanwhile, the main floor is home to a restaurant, the casual Steamship Grill, and a gift shop selling fine Canadian crafts.
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