|
Canada Permanent Building
Edmonton
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
Constructed in 1909, the Canada Permanent Building is a three-storey former office building located in central Edmonton. With its brick and sandstone exterior embellished by ornate detailing, it is a striking and rare example of Edwardian Baroque architecture in Edmonton.
Heritage Value
The heritage value of the Canada Permanent Building lies in its associations with notable early 20th-century architect Roland W. Lines and the Canada Permanent Mortgage Company, as well as in its Edwardian Baroque Style architecture.
Residing in Edmonton for only a decade before losing his life in World War I, Lines designed several notable buildings still standing today, including the Union Bank Building (1910), Alex Taylor School (1906), and Strathcona Collegiate Institute (1909). Lines is known for his use of many styles and strong classical themes in his work.
Lines designed the Canada Permanent Building for the Canada Permanent Mortgage Company. Intended to portray strength and stability, the building was advertised as Edmonton’s first “fireproof bank,” due to its reinforced concrete structure, an innovative building technique at the time. The Canada Permanent Mortgage Company was established in Toronto in 1855 and expanded to Alberta in 1901, filling an important role providing mortgages for farms, residences, and small businesses during a period of rapid growth. The Edmonton branch would become the headquarters for Canada Permanent’s operations in Alberta.
The Edwardian Baroque architecture of the Canada Permanent Building is apparent in its grand proportions and rich ornamentation. It was a style that was usually reserved for significant public buildings. The use of this architectural style was testament to Canada Permanent’s optimistic outlook on Edmonton’s and Alberta’s future.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of the Canada Permanent Building include:
-form, scale, and massing
-flat roof
-reinforced concrete structure
-sandstone and red brick exterior
-pattern, style and construction of all windows
East Facade
-three distinct bays separated by pilasters with Ionic capitals
-stone balustrade featuring central date stone (“1910”) garland and urns at roof level
-stone cornice above the third storey
-heavy second storey cornice with modillions and a central open topped arched pediment
-“CANADA PERMANENT BUILDING” below second storey cornice
-decorative brick and stone detailings, including voussoirs and keystones and winged lighthouse above entrance doorway
South Facade
-facade treatment wrapping the east facade at the southeast corner
-stone cornice above the third storey
-brick parapet with parapet cap
-sandstone sills
Interior
-poured concrete staircase with wrought iron railing and wood handrail
Location
| Street Address: |
10126 - 100 Street NW |
| Community: |
Edmonton |
| Boundaries: |
Part Lots 31 and 32, Plan F |
| Contributing Resources: |
Building
|
ATS Legal Description:
PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):
|
Plan |
Block |
Lot |
Parcel |
F
|
|
31, 32
|
|
Latitude/Longitude:
|
Latitude |
Longitude |
CDT |
Datum Type |
|
53.541775 |
-113.490903 |
|
NAD 83 |
UTM Reference:
|
Northing |
Easting |
Zone |
CDT |
Datum Type |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recognition
| Recognition Authority: |
Local Governments (AB) |
| Designation Status: |
Municipal Historic Resource |
| Date of Designation: |
2022/05/09 |
Historical Information
| Built: |
1909 to 1909 |
| Period of Significance: |
1909 to 1909 |
| Theme(s): |
Developing Economies : Trade and Commerce
|
| Historic Function(s): |
|
| Current Function(s): |
|
| Architect: |
|
| Builder: |
|
| Context: |
|
|
|
Additional Information
| Object Number: |
4664-0470 |
| Designation File: |
|
| Related Listing(s): |
4665-0458
|
| Heritage Survey File: |
HS 5267
|
| Website Link: |
|
| Data Source: |
City of Edmonton,10111 - 104 Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 0J4 |
|