Key Number:	HS 8178
Site Name:	Anderson Apartments
Other Names:
Site Type:	0104 - Residential: Apartment Building

Location

ATS Legal Description:

			Twp	Rge	Mer
			23	1	5

Address:	804 - 18 Avenue SW
Number:	4
Street:	8 SW
Avenue:	18 SW
Other:
Town:	Calgary
Near Town:

Media

Type	Number	Date	View	Source

Architectural

Style:
Plan Shape:	H
Storeys:	Storeys: 4 or more
Foundation:	Basement/Foundation Wall Material: Concrete
Superstructure:	Brick
Superstructure Cover:
Roof Structure:	Flat
Roof Cover:
Exterior Codes:	Massing of Units: Single Detached Wings: None Number of Bays - Facade: First or Ground Floor, 9 Bays or more Wall Design and Detail: Quoins Wall Design and Detail: String or Belt Course Wall Design and Detail: Entablature Wall Design and Detail: Plain Parapet Wall Design and Detail: Decorative Brick Plain Eaves Roof Trim - Verges: Not Applicable Dormer Type: None Chimney Location - Side to Side: None Chimney Location - Front to Rear: None Chimney Stack Material: None Chimney Stack Massing: None Roof Trim - Special Features: Cupola or Lantern Roof Trim - Special Features: Balustrade Window - Structural Opening Shape: Flat Window - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Head: Plain Lintel Window - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Sides: Quoins Window - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Material: Brick Window - Sill Type: Plain Lug Sill Window - Sill Material: Concrete Window - Number of Sashes: Two, Double Hung Window - Opening Mechanism: Single or Double Hung Main Entrance - Location: Other Main Entrance - Structural Opening Shape: Flat Main Entrance - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Head: Plain Pediment Main Entrance - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Sides: Pier or Pilaster Main Entrance - Trim Outside Structural Opening Material: Concrete Main Entrance - Trim Within Structural Opening - Head: Plain Main Entrance - Trim Within Structural Opening - Sides: Plain Main Entrance - Number of Leaves: 2 Main Entrance - Number of Panels Per Leaf: 4 Main Entrance - Leaves - Special Feature: Glass Main Stairs - Location and Design: First or Ground Floor, Without Railing Main Stairs - Direction: Straight Main Porch - Type: Platform Main Porch - Special Features: None
Exterior:	Dimensions: 92 ft x 120 ft x 55 ft Area - 9030 sq. ft. The building has 5 1/2 storeys. Parapet (roof level); dome. Open walk, dentilled entablature, quoins, 5-storey bay windows. Reinforced concrete construction. Classical pediment above main entrance supported by 2 pilasters. Above this is a small stone balustrade and the pediment is surmounted by a symmetrical parapet wall.
Interior:	Mahogany hardwood, brass railings, cage elevator; still retains a front desk area and appearance of a first class old hotel. Original oak panelling, brass handrails; elevator - cage, probably brass with copper finish.
Environment:	Lot size: 100 feet x 120 feet. The Anderson Apartment block is on the corner of 18th Avenue and 7th Street S.W. The red brick building completely covers the two lots it is situated on. The Anderson Apartment are located in the lower end of Mount Royal, on a corner lot.
Condition:	Structure: Good. Repair: Good. 1 JAN 1977.
Alterations:	Apparent Alterations and/or Additions: None Site: Original

Historical

Construction:	Construction Date:
Usage:	Usage Date:
Apartments	1977/01/01
Owner:	Owner Date:
Canadian Pacific Railway C.P.R. Thomas John Searle Skinner & Thomas A. Hatfield John A. Palmer Alexander Victor Anderson Alexander Victor Anderson William Patric Anderson William Beaumont Anderson Montreal Trust Company Montreal Trust Victor Mah, Dick Mah, Wing Mah	1901/08/15 1906/01/22 1906/12/08 1907/10/18 1911/02/11 1912/01/01 1920/08/12 1928/06/15 1952/04/12 1973/01/01 1977/06/27

Architect:	R.B. Whitten
Builder:	D.E. Macdonald
Craftsman:	N/A
History:	The Anderson Apartments were built near the close of the pre-First World War building boom. In particular, fashionable apartment buildings of the Anderson's ilk were constructed at a great rate at the time. These buildings were designed to appeal to upper income families and single persons. They garnered considerable favour because of their locations close to the downtown and the convenience they offered with respect to heating and servants. The Anderson Apartments were built for Alexander Victor Anderson, a wealthy farm implement dealer and entrepreneur. Upon its completion the building was hailed for its beauty, luxury and quality. It was the highest and largest multi-tenant structure built to that time in the city and it attracted some of the city's more prominent personages. This group of prominent citizens included pioneer businessman James C. Linton who established in association with his brother, Calgary's first stationery store, Williams J. Budd who was responsible for the organization of a number of companies including Calgary Power, Edward B. Curlette, a well known photographer and A.W. Dingman who was associated with the development of the Turner Valley Oil Field. In order to allow inner rooms to be naturally lighted, the Anderson Apartments were laid out in an 'H' formation. This was a popular plan for hotels and apartment blocks of the period and is illustrated on a larger scale by the 'E' formation of the Palliser Hotel in Calgary. The Anderson Apartment, however, is the only multi-tenant building from the period in Calgary to use the 'H' plan. Eclecticism characterized the architecture of the period and the Anderson Apartments likewise display elements of several styles. Classical styles were by far the best represented. The foundation walls, which extended several feet above grade, were made of rusticated brick. Brick quoins similarly maintained a rusticated effect at the corners of the building and reflected a concern for formal detailing. Formality was again stressed through a strong cornice topped by large stone friezes and long stone balustrades. The considerable mass of the building was relieved somewhat by the presence of bay windows (side by side) symmetrically placed in the inner courts and on the sides of the building. The windows extended from the first floor above the foundation wall to the fifth floor. The cornice and the friezes followed the projection of the bays which gave the building a highly finished appearance. The main entrance was a particularly flamboyant vernacular classical design. It was designed to be imposing. The large classical pediment supported by stone pilasters accomplished the aim admirably. To date the Anderson's entrance is one of the most impressive in the city. * * * - built at height of 1911-1912 building boom by Alexander Victor Anderson - involved in machinery and other businesses in Calgary - son of Thomas Anderson who became Crown Timber Agent in Edmonton - Apartment has remained in hands of Anderson family since its construction. * * * Built by Alexander Victor Anderson. Came to Alberta 1882 with family. Father was Crown Timber Agent in Edmonton. Victor (Vic) Anderson was a freighter along the Calgary - Edmonton Trail before 1892. Also owned or had part ownership in two ranches along the trail. In 1892 he opened an implement business along Atlantic (9th) Avenue and also had a branch in Wetaskiwin. Building cost $150,000 to construct.

Internal

Designation Status:	Designation Date:
Municipal A List Provincial Historic Resource	1988/05/20

Register:	06-121

Links

Internet:
Alberta Register of Historic Places:	4665-0540