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Customs Examining Warehouse
Calgary
Other Names:
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Customs House
Examining Warehouse
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Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The Customs Examining Warehouse is a four-storey rectangular building of red brick and sandstone, located on four urban lots on the northwest corner of Macleod Trail and 11th Avenue Southwest in Calgary's former warehouse district.
Heritage Value
The heritage value of the Customs Examining Warehouse lies in its provision of structural evidence of Calgary's vital role as a regional distribution centre and its resultant growth before the First World War. It is also significant as an architectural landmark, a rare example of a blend of two distinct but complementary styles popular in early twentieth-century public buildings.
The Customs Examining Warehouse served as a focus for the city's warehouse trade. That Calgary warranted a single-purpose public building of such size - a rarity in western cities - indicates its prominent status in south-central Alberta at the time. From 1915 until 1982, it was occupied by Customs and other federal agencies.
The Warehouse is the largest and most impressive building of its type in Alberta, and the only building which exhibits a consistent and equal blend of classical and Chicago School influences. It has not experienced any significant exterior alterations.
Source: Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch (File: Des 905)
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of the Custom Examining Warehouse's mix of architectural styles include:
- the location, symmetrical form, scale and massing of the building;
- red brick facade with cut sandstone trim;
- rusticated sandstone ground floor;
- colossal brick pilasters and arcading pattern;
- pressed metal bracketed cornice;
- double mullion providing for a triple window pattern;
- basement window fenestration pattern;
- fire escape on the north elevation;
- open arched loading bay on the west elevation;
- original loading bay doors on the north and south elevations;
- flagpole on the roof;
- original elements of the interior entrance foyer including: marble flooring and treads, marble wainscoting, and metal and brass balustrades and newel posts.
Location
| Street Address: |
134 - 11 Avenue SE |
| Community: |
Calgary |
| Boundaries: |
Lots 21 to 28, Block 70, Plan A |
| Contributing Resources: |
Buildings: 1
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ATS Legal Description:
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Mer |
Rge |
Twp |
Sec |
LSD |
5
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1
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24
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15
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6 (ptn.)
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PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):
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Plan |
Block |
Lot |
Parcel |
SA
SA
SA
SA
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70
70
70
70
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24
23
22
21
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Latitude/Longitude:
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Latitude |
Longitude |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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51.042582 |
-114.061138 |
GPS |
NAD 83 |
UTM Reference:
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Northing |
Easting |
Zone |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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Recognition
| Recognition Authority: |
Province of Alberta |
| Designation Status: |
Provincial Historic Resource |
| Date of Designation: |
1979/05/03 |
Historical Information
| Built: |
1912 to 1916 |
| Period of Significance: |
1915 to 1982 |
| Theme(s): |
Developing Economies : Trade and Commerce
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| Historic Function(s): |
Government : Customs Building
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| Current Function(s): |
Government : Customs Building
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| Architect: |
David Ewart
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| Builder: |
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| Context: |
HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
The Customs Examining Warehouse is an important example of public building in the pre-World War One era. As a blend of two distinct but complementary architectural styles, it is unique in Alberta.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Customs Examining Warehouse reflects the importance of Calgary as a regional distribution center in the pre-World War One boom era. It is the largest and most impressively designed building of its type in Alberta, since Customs Buildings in this province were generally incorporated into a Post Office, rather than being built separately.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Customs Examining Warehouse is architecturally important because it was designed by the Chief Federal Architect, David Ewart. It is the only building in Alberta which exhibits a consistent and equal blend of classical and Chicago School influences. It is also significant because it has not experienced any major exterior alterations.
(Site Information Summary)
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Additional Information
| Object Number: |
4665-0551 |
| Designation File: |
DES 0905 |
| Related Listing(s): |
4664-0258
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| Heritage Survey File: |
HS 63033
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| Website Link: |
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| Data Source: |
Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch, Old St. Stephen's College, 8820 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P8 (File: Des. 905) |
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