Alberta Register of Historic Places

Imperial Bank of Commerce

Calgary

Other Names:

A. H. R. F. Headquarters
A.H.R.F. Headquarters
AHRF Headquarters
Alberta Historical Resources Foundation Headquarters
C. I. B. C.
C.I.B.C.
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building (Former)
CIBC
Former Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building
Hollinsworth Building
Imperial Bank Building
Imperial Bank of Canada
Treasury Branch

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place
The Imperial Bank of Canada is a two-storey building situated along downtown Calgary's historic Stephen Avenue Mall. It embodies the Neoclassical architectural style and features a rough-faced sandstone exterior, decorative sandstone shields, a roofline cornice underlined by block modillions, and a parapet.

Heritage Value
The heritage value of the Imperial Bank of Canada building lies in its impressive Neoclassical architectural style and its reflection of the dynamic commercial growth of Calgary at the turn of the century.

Between 1886 and 1887, the I. G. Baker Company collaborated with businessmen John Lineham and Matthew Dunn to erect two adjacent, identical sandstone buildings in Calgary's rapidly developing downtown core. The Imperial Bank of Canada (IBC) acquired one of the two buildings in 1892. Between 1909 and 1911, nationally renowned Toronto architects Frank Darling and John Pearson and locally significant architects Hodgson, Bates, and Beatty radically altered the structure, converting the IBC from a fairly simple building to an impressive embodiment of Neoclassical architectural ideals. Some elements of the original construction still remain, including the interior wall shared with the adjacent building. The Neoclassical style was popular for bank buildings at the time because of its association with the qualities of strength, balance, and permanence. This style is evident in the building's roofline cornice underlined by block modillions, decorative armorial shield designs, and the prominent parapet. Several other Neoclassical features, including the building's symmetry and a columned entranceway surmounted by a pediment, have since been altered or removed. Constructed with rough-faced sandstone and situated along Calgary's historic Stephen Avenue Mall, the Imperial Bank of Canada is an integral part of the city's premier heritage streetscape.

The Imperial Bank of Canada building recalls the frantic commercial growth of Calgary in the years prior to the First World War. The IBC was the first chartered bank to open in Calgary, establishing its presence in the community in 1886. The dramatic transformation of the bank's downtown branch from a frontier building to a bold Neoclassical construction symbolizes the burgeoning population and self-confidence of Calgary during the boom years in the city prior to the First World War. The building's location and impressive architecture attracted some of Calgary's pre-eminent businesses to take up office space on the second floor of the bank. Significant early tenants in the building include the law firm of Sifton, Short, and Stuart. Arthur L. Sifton served as Premier of Alberta from 1910 until 1917 and Charles Stuart was a Member of the Legislative Assembly, an Alberta Supreme Court judge, and the Chancellor of the University of Alberta.

Source: Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch (File: Des. 142)

Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of the Imperial Bank of Canada include such features as:
- mass, form, scale, and style;
- rough-faced sandstone exterior;
- flat roof;
- roofline cornice underlined by block modillions;
- parapet with balusters;
- decorative armorial shield designs;
- "IMPERIAL BANK OF CANADA" sign;
- fenestration pattern and style;
- rear addition;
- original interior elements, including some window components.

Location

Street Address:	102 - 8 Avenue SE
Community:	Calgary
Boundaries:	Lot 44, Block 51, Plan 0212844
Contributing Resources:	Buildings: 1

ATS Legal Description:

Mer	Rge	Twp	Sec	LSD
5	1	24	15	11 (ptn.)

PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):

Plan	Block	Lot	Parcel
0212844	51	44

Latitude/Longitude:

Latitude	Longitude	CDT	Datum Type
51.045789	-114.062806	GPS	NAD 83

UTM Reference:

Northing	Easting	Zone	CDT	Datum Type

Recognition

Recognition Authority:	Province of Alberta
Designation Status:	Provincial Historic Resource
Date of Designation:	1977/03/15

Historical Information

Built:	1886 to 1886
Period of Significance:	N/A
Theme(s):	Developing Economies : Trade and Commerce Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life : Architecture and Design
Historic Function(s):	Commerce / Commercial Services : Bank or Stock Exchange Commerce / Commercial Services : Bank or Stock Exchange
Current Function(s):
Architect:
Builder:
Context:	HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE After the Canadian Pacific Railway arrived at the site of Fort Calgary in 1883, the tiny community outside the fort quickly expanded and soon became a regional metropolis. In 1893, it became the first incorporated City in the North West Territories. Within its downtown core, a number of business blocks sprang up, including one owned by Mathew Dunn and John Lineham on Stephen Avenue, constructed of sandstone and brick during 1886-87. It was built adjoining to and in conjunction with a store owned by I.G. Baker and Co., the firm that had been contracted to build Fort Calgary in 1875. The rough sandstone facades of both buildings were identical. In 1890, Lineham bought out Dunn and became the sole owner of what became known as the Lineham Block. Lineham was a wealthy rancher who also represented Calgary in the North West Territories Legislative Assembly from 1888 to 1891. Among the earliest tenants in his Calgary business block were the Imperial Bank of Canada and the Bank of Montreal, the first two federally chartered banks in Calgary, having arrived there in 1886. In 1892, while the Bank of Montreal located elsewhere, the Imperial Bank purchased the western (I.G. Baker) half of the complex from the Hudson's Bay Company (which had acquired it a year earlier), and expanded its operation. Bank records show an expenditure of 32,000 dollars for construction work on its Calgary building in 1892. It is assumed that this would have been for the expansion and restructuring of the I.G. Baker portion of the complex, although the exterior appears not to have been altered. The expansion gave the Bank extra office space to lease. Among the early tenants to do business there, was the legal firm of Sifton, Short and Stuart, which included two of Alberta's future premiers, Arthur Sifton (1910-17) and Charles Stuart (1917-21). As Calgary continued to grow after the turn of the century, the demand for more banking services grew as well. The Calgary Albertan reported on February 28, 1911 that 'the Imperial Bank last summer improved its premises to the extent of over 30,000 [dollars].' With smaller alterations in later years, the Bank would continue to occupy the premises until the rapid commercial expansion of Calgary during the 1960's necessitated another facility. In 1977, the structure was designated a Provincial Historic Resource. The historical significance of the Imperial Bank Building, tying in directly with the Lineham Block, lies in its direct association with the frantic commercial expansion of Calgary during the years prior to World War I. It is significant also in its association with two of Alberta's outstanding political leaders of the early 20th century, Arthur Sifton and Charles Stuart. It is also an excellent example of a sandstone building and it has considerable architectural merit.

Additional Information

Object Number:	4665-0452
Designation File:	DES 0142
Related Listing(s):	4664-0491
Heritage Survey File:	HS 6651
Website Link:
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. 142)