The Great National Land Building, situated at the corner of Church, Chapel and Commercial Streets, is one of Nanaimo's most distinguished and familiar landmarks.
	The present Building was not the first to occupy this site. The original Bank of British Columbia was situated at this location and was taken over in 1901 by the Canada Bank of Commerce which established its own branch office. In 1913, plans for a new Canadian Bank Building were drawn by the Dominion Realty Company in Toronto. The building's terra cotta and brick exterior included an entry portico with four massive columns. The building's exterior, from its lavish use of expensive facing materials to its awesome columns, exude confidence and authority. In July 1930, a disastrous fire started in a nearby stable and quickly spread to other structures, completely destroying ten buildings. Fortunately, because of the brick construction, the bank suffered minimal damage. However, the new paint on the metal cornices melted and pooled on the sidewalk while plate glass windows, plate fan-lights and staff windows were irreparably cracked. In 1963, Frontier Land Corporation acquired the building for investment purposes and in 1974 Great National Land purchased the property to accommodate Nanaimo Realty staff. By the early 1970's the building was functionally obsolete and did not meet contemporary safety codes. In 1975, however, the City of Nanaimo designated the building and lands as Heritage Building and Heritage Lands. The grand old building was thus saved from the wrecker's ball. Church and Chapel Holdings Ltd. who acquired the property in 1993, undertook a complete interior and exterior renovation which was completed in the fall of 1997. The brickwork and terra cotta were repaired by McLeod Masonry Ltd. Meticulous attention to detail has resulted in a building that is architecturally beautiful, historically accurate, functional and safe. Nanaimo Realty once again occupies the building and has thereby restored both commercial activity and confidence in the downtown area as a viable and exciting place to do business.