Heritage Properties

94 - 15 Street East is a Municipal Heritage Property centrally located on three lots on the south edge of downtown in Prince Albert.  Constructed in 1929, the property features a two-storey, steel-frame, brick-clad building.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of 94 - 15 Street East resides in its association with the wave of immigrants who entered Saskatchewan in the late 19th and early 20th Century. Constructed by the federal government in 1929, this Immigration Hall provided temporary accommodation for immigrants settling in the area and housed a branch of the Department of Immigration.  This Immigration Hall was one of the last buildings of its type built by the Government of Canada and is one of the last immigration halls still standing in western Canada.  94 - 15 Street East has also been used for various federal government offices and a shelter for homeless men.

The heritage value of 94 - 15 Street East also resides in its prominent architecture.  Designed by the Department of Public Works, under the supervision of the Dominion Architect Thomas Fuller, the building reflects the architectural traditions of the time as evident by the simplified classical design with yellow brick accented with Tyndal stone, muted brick detailing, small cornice, and brick pilasters framing the doorway.  Other historic architectural elements include the symmetry of the front façade with centered flag pole, the decorative brick arch-work around the windows on the front façade, and the prominent front entrance pavilion.

This property has been designated as a property of architectural, historical or natural value under the City of Prince Albert Bylaw No. 15 of 2001 - Designation of Heritage Property - 94 - 15th Street East

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value of 94 - 15 Street East is expressed in the following character-defining elements:

• those elements that speak to the building’s association with the rush of settlers to the Prairie Provinces, such as its location on its original site near the rail yard and downtown Prince Albert;

• those elements that reflect the prominent and historic architecture of the building, including the simplified classical design with yellow brick façade accented with Tyndal stone trim, the symmetry of the front façade with centered flag pole, muted brick detailing, the decorative brick arch-work around the front façade windows, cornice, brick pilasters, and the prominent front entrance pavilion.

The Land Titles Office is a Municipal Heritage Property prominently located on four lots in a mature residential neighbourhood in Prince Albert. Constructed during 1891-1892, the property features a 1½-storey, brick building surrounded by a stone fence.

The heritage value of the Land Titles Office resides in its association with the land settlement rush to Prince Albert and area during the late 19th Century and the Dominion Government’s policies in encouraging this settlement. Construction of the building was authorized by the Dominion Department of Public Works, under the supervision of their Chief Architect, Thomas Fuller, assisted by architect H.D. Johnson. Initially built to provide office space for the local registrar of land titles and the Crown Timber Board, the building was also used as an immigration office after its opening in 1892.

The heritage value of the Land Titles Office also resides in its use as a public building. After 1907, the building was used as a post office, an Anglican theology student’s residence, an armoury for the 203rd Battalion, an employment agency, the winter office for the Prince Albert National Park employees, and the office for the Federal Department of Agriculture. Since 1988, the building has been used as a private residence.

The heritage value of the Land Titles Office also lies in its prominent architecture. When this building was completed in 1892, it became a local landmark, as most of the buildings in Prince Albert were of wood construction. Located on four city blocks amongst residential dwellings, the building is a reminder of the standard of quality brought by the Dominion Government to the settlement of Prince Albert. The hip, gable roof, the rounded arch around the front entrance, a symmetrical front façade, dormer windows, and stone trim all speak to the prominent nature of this building at the time of its construction.

This property has been designated as a property of architectural, historical or natural value under the City of Prince Albert Bylaw No. 36 of 1986 - Municipal Heritage Property Bylaw - Land Titles Office.

They then formed the Prince Albert Golf Club and with each following year (except for the years 1916 to 1919) the game became more and more popular. In 1924, after settling a three-year land lease dispute, the City of Prince Albert obtained "an informal undertaking" from the government of Saskatchewan for the lease of the property. The city in turn signed a 10-year agreement with the Prince Albert Golf Club provided the land be used for golf purposes only. The Golf Club hired William Kineer, a Golf Professional from Saskatoon, to redesign the existing nine holes and make provisions for an 18-hole expansion in the near future.

1925 marked the beginning of the Cooke tradition. Hubert Cooke probably still holds the record for longevity as a Golf Professional / Superintendent with one Club in Saskatchewan (41 years). Hubert was born in Stroud, England and in 1920 moved to Regina to assist Bill Brinkworth (his brother-in-law) with the operation and construction of the Wascana Golf Club. In 1925, he moved to Prince Albert to begin work on the construction of new greens and fairways on the expanded Kineer Design. Using horse drawn implements, some holes were re-orientated and new holes were constructed. By 1929 the course had taken a shape that most of today's membership can recognize identify with.

In the early thirties, tough economic times impacted on the Golf Club, and the Club was having difficulty meeting the conditions of the agreement they had with the City. On May 13, 1935, a new agreement was drawn up transferring the Golf Course property and operation over to the City. A new 18-hole layout opened to the public in the last week of July.

The founding members along with Hubert and Alice Cooke have left a legacy and a spirit of pride, talent, love and respect that we all can be proud of. Hubert retired in 1965 and passed his spirit and dedication on to his successor, Clayton Robb. Hubert Cooke passed away in March of 1968 and in June of that same year, a delegation from the Men's Club went to City Council to have the name of the golf course changed from the Prince Albert Golf Club to the Cooke Municipal Golf Course. That same year, the Curling Club moved to the golf course property.

One of the significant changes made during Clayton Robb's nine-year tenure, was a move from the old rubber mat tee boxes to grass tee stands.

In 1975, Danny Jutras became Cooke Municipal's Professional / Superintendent. Danny grew up in Prince Albert where he played his junior golf and worked at the golf course as a protege of Hubert and Alice Cooke. It was under their supervision that Danny learned the qualities of trust, pride, love and respect toward the game of golf,Cooke Municipal and its patrons that he exhibits to this day.

Danny is a Master Professional, one of only 14 golf professionals to have earned this title in all of Canada. Danny and his team promote the game of golf through the various user groups, and together they have established one of the best Junior Golf programs in the Province. Besides his Golf Professional status, Danny's Turf Management skills are highly respected throughout western Canada, especially with regard to the management of Annual Blue Grass.

Danny is preparing the Cooke Municipal Golf Course for the future with its capital, environmental and IPM programs and celebrated the club's 100th birthday during 2009.

This property has been designated as being of architectural, historical or natural value under the City of Prince Albert Bylaw No. 14 of 2009 - Designation of Heritage Property - Cooke Municipal Golf Course

The Court House is a Municipal Heritage Property located on a large parcel of land with a commanding vista overlooking Central Avenue and downtown Prince Albert. Constructed in 1927, the property features a two-storey, brick-clad building, surrounded by landscaped grounds

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the Prince Albert Court House lies in its architecture.  The building is one of a series of court houses designed by the office of the provincial architect, a government department responsible for the design and supervision of all public buildings from 1905 until the department was discontinued in the early 1930s during the depression.

Architect and engineer Maurice Sharon held the position between 1916 and 1930 and is credited with the design of ten Provincial court houses.  Several towns and cities were identified as judicial centres with those at Yorkton, Kerrobert, Prince Albert, Weyburn and Estevan receiving buildings of substantial size, while those at Gravelbourg, Shaunavon, Wynyard, Melfort and Assiniboia received more modest buildings that share an identical prototypical design.

While Sharon’s first courthouse at Yorkton exhibited an elaborate Beaux-Arts style, similar to other government buildings constructed during that time, he embraced a Colonial Revival style for the remaining nine buildings.  The building’s massing and projecting end pavilions make this building similar to the court houses in Yorkton and Kerrobert.  However the Prince Albert Court House is distinguished from the others by its unique central cupola with a clock.  These buildings featured pitched roofs, rain gutters integrated with projecting metal cornices, central cupola with attic ventilation, and brick cladding trimmed with stone.  The incorporation of these design elements enabled the government to reduce construction costs and solve technical problems of roof drainage while retaining the appropriate sense of grandeur and presence symbolic of a judicial building.

The heritage value of the Prince Albert Court House also lies in its landmark status in the community.  Situated on a hill overlooking downtown Prince Albert, the building’s prominence is evident through its size, brick cladding, and location.  The building’s large landscaped grounds with flagpoles and a statue also speak to the Court House’s landmark status.

This property has been designated as being of architectural, historical or natural value under the City of Prince Albert Bylaw No. 17 of 1983 - Designation of Heritage Property - Heritage Property Court House.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value of the Court House resides in the following character-defining elements:

• those architectural elements that reflect the Colonial Revival style of architecture, such as the building’s symmetrical design, sloped roof, metal cornice with integral rain gutters, central cupola with clock, dormer windows, and columned main entrance with portico and balcony;
• those architectural elements specific to the series of colonial style courthouse’s in Saskatchewan designed by Maurice Sharon, such as the use of claybank brick and Tyndal stone highlights;
• those elements that demonstrate the building’s status as a landmark in the community, such as the formal plantings and open grass areas of the grounds, flag poles, and statue on front grounds.

The Holmes Residence is a Municipal Heritage Property located on four lots at 585 – 19 Street East in the City of Prince Albert. The property features a two-and-one-half storey red-brick veneer house with a large portico, which was constructed in about 1912.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the property resides in its association with the property’s builder and original owner, Andrew Holmes, who resided here from about 1912 until 1926. Holmes was born in Scotland in 1860 and at age fourteen became apprenticed to a carpenter and joiner, which would become the foundation for a very successful career. In 1883, Andrew Holmes emigrated to Canada and travelled from Winnipeg via steamship and overland to the North Saskatchewan River settlement which two years later would become Prince Albert. Holmes served as a volunteer during the 1885 Northwest Resistance and later became a building contractor in Prince Albert, constructing many fine homes and other buildings. During his 40 years of residency in Prince Albert, Holmes was active in municipal politics and community organizations. He served as an Alderman in the early 1900s and then as Prince Albert’s Mayor in 1910-11. As well, he was President of the Board of Trade, Vice-President of the Builder’s Exchange, Vice-President of the Agriculture Society, and also was active in the St. Andrew’s Society, City Football Club, the Minto Hockey Club, and the Amateur Dramatic Society.

The heritage value of the property also resides in its Georgian Revival style of architecture. This two- and-one-half storey red-brick veneer house was constructed by Andrew Holmes in about 1912. It is notable for its prominent portico supported by paired fluted Ionic columns, porte-cochere, and curved-front overhang and entrance steps. The house also features wide eaves, prominent gambrel-roofed dormers, and pediment with a round window with stylized keystones over the main entrance, with eyebrow windows on either side. The property also features prominent two-storey bay windows with stylized brick quoins on the east side, and one-storey bay windows on the front and west sides.

This property has been designated as being of architectural, historical or natural value through the City of Prince Albert's Bylaw No. 21 of 2006 - Designation of Heritage Property - Holmes Residence.

Character-defining Elements

• those elements of the property associated with Andrew Holmes, including the location of the building on its original site;
• those elements that reflect the building’s Georgian Revival architecture, such as the symmetrical facade, prominent portico supported by paired fluted Ionic columns, porte-cochere, and curved-front overhang and entrance steps;
• other architectural elements that contribute to the prominence of the house, including the gambrel-roofed dormers; pediment with a round window with stylized keystones over the main entrance, with eyebrow windows on either side; prominent two-storey bay windows with stylized brick quoins on the east side; and one-storey bay windows on the front and west sides.

Keyhole Castle Bed and Breakfast is a bed and breakfast in a national historic site.  This property has been designated as being of architectural, historical or natural value through the City of Prince Albert's Bylaw No. 21 of 2012 - Designation of Heritage Property - Keyhole Castle.

Keyhole Castle, one of the finest heritage homes in Canada, was built from 1911 to 1913 by Prince Albert businessman Samuel McLeod.  In 1883, at the age of 30, Samuel McLeod came to Prince Albert from Winnipeg with his first wife, Elizabeth (28) and sons Frederic (6) and William (10).  Originally from Prince Edward Island, McLeod had trained as a cobbler. Coming to Prince Albert, McLeod opened a mercantile store which he ran from 1888 to 1898. In 1898 McLeod sold his store and his share of a lumber business, and at the age of 45 started a second career in land development, real estate, and (federal) politics. (McLeod had already served as Mayor of Prince Albert in 1896.) McLeod’s wife, Elizabeth died in 1901, and one year later, McLeod married Elizabeth’s sister, Winnifred Biggar.

Prince Albert experienced a prolonged economic boom during the late 1890s and early 1900s. At that time, speculation on resource development, the La Colle Falls Dam project and the benefits of a proposed extension of the main CN rail line from Winnipeg through Prince Albert to Edmonton, pushed land and building values to new heights. City council in particular was so bullish on the prospects of Prince Albert, that it issued municipal bonds through the CIBC, and spent over a million dollars on infrastructure in preparation for the expected influx.

It was at the tail end of the boom that Keyhole Castle was commissioned and completed. By the summer of 1913 it was realized that most of the speculation surrounding Prince Albert’s expected growth was not to be realized. The resource development had not materialized as aggressively as supposed. The La Colle Falls Dam project was abandoned as untenable. The rail line was sent through Saskatoon rather than Prince Albert. As a result, the City of Prince Albert had to restructure its debts, and narrowly avoided bankruptcy.  However, the Castle was safely built, and the McLeod fortune was largely intact. McLeod continued to live in and promote Prince Albert for the rest of his life.

Samuel McLeod commissioned Erich Wojahn from Stillwater, Minnesota as architect for the Keyhole Castle in 1910. It appears that for the period of 1911 to 1913, Mr. Wojahn supervised the building personally, having an office listed in Prince Albert’s business directories. While in Saskatchewan, he and his wife, Christina, had a child named Avalon in 1912. They moved to Tacoma, Washington in 1917 where he passed away in 1927.

Built in the King Anne Revival style, the home was a collection of eclectic elements, both inside and out. While the home has been pillaged over the years of some of the more transportable of its finest features, it remains largely intact. Restoration efforts on the inside were largely completed by Alan and Connie Logue, who owned the home for the last 25 years. The well crafted design of the home makes Keyhole Castle a very inviting, warm place to visit. Designed for living and entertaining, the home encourages rest, conversation and good fellowship. McLeod lived in the home until his death in early 1929. His widow, Mrs. Winnifred McLeod continued to live in the home until 1943.

For additional historical information please visit https://www.keyholecastle.com/about-us/.

The McDonald Residence is a Municipal Heritage Property prominently located on four lots in a mature residential neighbourhood near downtown Prince Albert.  Constructed in 1905, the property features a 2½-storey, wood-frame residence clad in brick.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the McDonald Residence resides in its association with the McDonald family.  The residence was constructed in 1905 for Andrew and Isabella McDonald who had come to Prince Albert in 1895 to operate a general store.  Andrew McDonald also served as an Alderman and vice-president of the Board of Trade for the City of Prince Albert.  The McDonald family lived in the residence until 1927, when they sold it to a religious order.

The heritage value of the McDonald Residence is further enhanced by its association with the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary religious order.  From 1927 to 1950, the building was occupied by the administrative offices of this religious order and provided a residence for the Sisters.  In 1950, the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary sold the land and building and, since that time, the McDonald Residence has been used as a private residence.

The heritage value of the McDonald Residence also lies in its prominent architecture.  Located on a city block featuring other prominent residences, this property is a reminder of the affluent nature of this area in the early development of Prince Albert.  The asymmetrical façade, multiple roof lines with extended eaves, bay window, and front veranda speak to the prominent nature of the residence.

This property has been designated as being of architectural, historical or natural value under the City of Prince Albert Bylaw No. 10 of 1998 - Designation of Heritage Property - McDonald Residence.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value of the McDonald Residence is expressed in the following character-defining elements:

• those elements that speak to the building’s association with the McDonald family and the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, such as its location on its original site;

• those elements that reflect the prominent architecture of the residence, including the multiple roof lines, extended eaves, protruding bay window, veranda, half-pediment gables, wood shingles, brick cladding, stone trim, the use of wood employing the open-stick framing method, and the building’s location on four city lots.

The Octagonal Building is a Municipal Heritage Property located on a portion of the Exhibition Grounds in Prince Albert. The property features a unique 8-sided, two-storey wooden structure, which was constructed in 1905. 

HERITAGE VALUE

The heritage value of the Octagonal Building lies in its unique architecture, which was typical of exhibition buildings at agricultural fairs on the prairies. Constructed for the purposes of agricultural displays during the annual Exhibition, this structure’s design was adopted specifically to enhance to the architecture of the city. Its unique shape, white-washed walls, red trim, and "widow's walk" roof top made this building a landmark on the Exhibition Grounds. Its two-storey construction also contributed to its prominence on the grounds since very few of western Canada's exhibition buildings consisted of two levels. Thus, the Octagonal Building is distinctive in its own right.

Heritage value also resides in the building's association with women's contributions to agriculture and community life in and around Prince Albert. Its construction was initiated by the Ladies' Section of the Lorne Agricultural Society for the purposes of displaying their dairy produce, needlework, baking, grains, grasses, and horticultural goods. In addition, the second level enabled the women's group to organize and host many social gatherings and dances in the building, which enhanced the city's community and social life.

The only surviving building of its type in Saskatchewan, the Octagonal Building remains an important structure in the life of Prince Albert.

This property has been designated as being of architectural, historical or natural value under the City of Prince Albert Bylaw No. 15 of 1983 - Designation of Heritage Property - Octagonal Building.

CHARACTER-DEFINING ELEMENTS

The heritage value of the Agricultural Building resides in the following character-defining elements:

• those features that reflect building's unique design, such as the decorative 8"x8" wood columns at octagonal corners, the dark red trim which emphasises the unique octagonal shape of the building, the "widow's walk", and the fieldstone footing;
• those features that speak to the relationship of the building to its landscape, such as its location on the Exhibition grounds.

Please see Historic Places Canada - Octagonal Building for more information

The Margo Fournier Arts Centre (formerly the Prince Albert Arts Centre) has had a long history within our community. One of the last of its kind on the prairies and a national historic landmark, the Prince Albert Town Hall and Opera House was completed in 1893 and is now a thriving arts facility offering a wide variety of art, craft and creative opportunities for all members of our community.

This property has been designated as Municipal Heritage Property under the City of Prince Albert Bylaw No. 57 of 1981 - Designation of Heritage Property - Heritage Museum and Arts Centre.

Experience the history of Prince Albert and area with a visit to the Prince Albert Historical Museum. Once Prince Albert's third fire hall, it was built in 1912 and used by the Prince Albert Fire Department until 1975. The Heritage (now Historical) Museum opened to the public in 1977.

The Prince Albert Central Fire Hall was built in 1911 and served the city for 65 years.  Eventually, age and the location of this building made the construction of a new fire hall necessary.  At the request of Mayor Mac Pereverzoff and members of COuncil, the Prince Albert Historical Society renovated the Cetnral Fire Hall with funding from various agencies and established a museum and archives for the citizens of Prince Albert.  The museum and archives opened to the public in the spring in 1977.

The following renovations were made:

• The wrought iron railing from the 1910 police station was salvaged and installed on the perimeter of the deck on the second floor
• The hose tower was converted into the main stairwell, and the upper portions still display fire hoses drying from their last use on a fire.
• To preserve the original structure, the Bob Serjeant meeting room, a "room within a room," was constructed in the southeast area of the main floor, providing a combination meeting room space and display area that does not alter the original facade.

From 1982 to 1983, the Connaught Room was added to the northeast corner, with the outer walls being constructed using local clay bricks salvaged from the then recently demolished Connaught School.  Incorporated into the very structure of this room is the facade of the Union Bank, bricks from local brick plants, two very old flour mill grinding stones and the floor from the West End Community Hall which was salvaged and installed by Society volunteers.

This property has been designated as a property of architectural, historical or natural value under the City of Prince Albert Bylaw No. 57 of 1981 - Designation of Heritage Property - Heritage Museum and Arts Centre

Visit the John & Olive Diefenbaker Museum and learn about the personal life of Canada's thirteenth Prime Minister.  The Rt. Hon. John Diefenbaker lived in the house from 1947 to 1957, and the house is furnished with artifacts from both his Prince Albert and Ottawa homes.

The house was built in 1912 and donated to the City of Prince Albert by John and Olive Diefenbaker in 1975 for it to be converted into a museum. The building was opened to the public as a museum in 1983 and is operated by the Prince Albert Historical Society.

This property has been designated as being of architectural, historical or natural value under the City of Prince Albert Bylaw No. 16 of 2014 - Designation of Heritage Property - Diefenbaker House.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the Diefenbaker House I Museum lies in its status as a primary residence for the former Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker. This house was the residence of John G. Diefenbaker immediately prior to his becoming Prime Minister of Canada and is furnished with articles from both his Prince Albert and Ottawa homes as it was in Mr. Diefenbaker's day. Within the museum you will find artifacts and photographs of Canada's thirteenth Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Prince Albert from 1953 to 1979. Mr. Diefenbaker let his name stand as the PC candidate for Prince Albert in the 1953 election. The campaign and its slogan, “Not a partisan cry, but a national need," captured the imagination of Prince Albert voters and Diefenbaker was elected. John Diefenbaker was Canada’s Prime Minister from 1957 to 1963. The significance of the home reflects on Mr. Diefenbaker's private and political life personified throughout the furniture, home decor and memorabilia, which are displayed throughout the building. This home served as his home and primary residence for ten years from 1947 to 1957 and citizens across Canada recognized the community of Prince Albert as a key factor in connecting Mr. Diefenbaker's persona bonding "ordinary" folk to his vision and political passions.

Character-defining Elements
The character-defining elements of the Olive and John G. Diefenbaker Museum include:

• Original interior elements, including wallpaper, built-in shelving, moldings, staircases, radiators, fixtures, fittings, trims, baseboards, flooring, and decorative wall elements;
• Dormers flanking shed dormer in the center;
• Heavily textured stucco;
• Peak over front entry;
• The pattern of the boards in all elevations;
• Fenestration patterns (how windows are set up)

Awarded to:  Richard and Nicole Stefanyshyn

This house was build and first occupied in 1914 by Horace Ittner, who owned one of the brick manufacturing facilities in Prince Albert.  He lived in the house until about 1918.  From 1919 until 1957 the house was used as an urban residential home for boys from the surrounding rural areas to attend school in Prince Albert.  The house went by the name of the Nisbet Schoolhouse for Boys or other similar names.

The next thirty years saw two doctors' families residing in the home.  The Dr. Wallace family occupied the house from 1959 to about 1975 and then, after a one-year vacancy, the Dr. Crawford family took up residence in 1977 and remained there until 1988.

From 1990 to 1992, the house was the location of 'Great Beginnings, The Learning Centre for Children.'

From 1993 to present, the house has been occupied by the Richard Stefanyshyn family.

1120 Central Avenue

Awarded to: Ron Adams

This building is the oldest business on Central Avenue. The first business in the building was listed in 1909 as 'Central Avenue Pharmacy, W. H. Rowe & Co. Prop.' and was advertised as 'Rowe's Drug Store.'

In 1913, the building was listed as vacant.

From 1914 until 1939, the building was the location of jeweler Fred W. Wright, whose name is still engraved in the cement of the doorstep.

From 1941 until 1947, Eilers Ltd. Jewelers occupied the building.

Since 1949, the Adams family has operated a book, stationery and business supply store from the building.

10 River Street East

The Prince Albert Central Fire Hall was built in 1911 and served the city for 65 years.  Eventually, age and the location of this building made the construction of a new fire hall necessary.  At the request of Mayor Mac Pereverzoff and members of COuncil, the Prince Albert Historical Society renovated the Cetnral Fire Hall with funding from various agencies and established a museum and archives for the citizens of Prince Albert.  The museum and archives opened to the public in the spring in 1977.

The following renovations were made:

• The wrought iron railing from the 1910 police station was salvaged and installed on the perimeter of the deck on the second floor
• The hose tower was converted into the main stairwell, and the upper portions still display fire hoses drying from their last use on a fire.
• To preserve the original structure, the Bob Serjeant meeting room, a "room within a room," was constructed in the southeast area of the main floor, providing a combination meeting room space and display area that does not alter the original facade.

From 1982 to 1983, the Connaught Room was added to the northeast corner, with the outer walls being constructed using local clay bricks salvaged from the then recently demolished Connaught School.  Incorporated into the very structure of this room is the facade of the Union Bank, bricks from local brick plants, two very old flour mill grinding stones and the floor from the West End Community Hall which was salvaged and installed by Society volunteers.

This property has been designated as a property of architectural, historical or natural value under the City of Prince Albert Bylaw No. 57 of 1981 - Designation of Heritage Property - Heritage Museum and Arts Centre

St. Paul's Presbyterian Church 

60 - 12 Street East

Category: Sensitive Addition

St. Paul's Presbyterian Church was selected as the recipient of the 2006 Prince Albert Municipal Heritage Award for the addition of its elevator, which was officially put into use on December 19, 1993.

Both the church and the architect, Moore Architecture Consulting Group Ltd., wanted to ensure the addition appeared as if it were part of the original construction dating back to 1906.  The addition can be considered a rehabilitation activity involving the continuation of an existing use.  Much research was done into the original exterior brick.  The architects and masons made much effort to ensure the exerior construction replicated the original structure.  A stained glass window was removed from the east wall of the church, restored and placed in the south-facing wall of the addition.

The addition is also noteworthy for its foundation.  The mason recovered fieldstones that matched the foundation stones of the original church.  Manitoba tyndall stone forms a band above the foundation, and the brick and carpentry all blend together to make this addition pleasing to the eye.  This sensitive addition is an accomplishment considering contemporary construction methods and technology were used to build onto an older building.  Both the church and the architect are to be commended for the great lengths they went to in ensuring the success of this project.

This project is a great example of how rehabilitation can allow a heritage building to evolve and adapt to modern needs.  St. Paul's Presbyterian Church has become a part of our identity as a city and a source of pride.

439 - 13 Street East

Category: Adaptive Re-Use

Awarded to: Doug Hesje

The first record that appears in the Henderson's Prince Albert Directory of the structure that is now home to a local business, Hesje Cabinets, is from around 1956.  However, some records indicate that it was likely originally constructed earlier, perhaps sometime in the 1940s.  The building's initial use was for Palm Dairies, a major multi-branched milk operation that processed and distributed fresh and frozen dairy products.

The Henderson's Prince Albert Directory shows that the building became vacant around 1990.  In 1998, the building was purchased by Doug Hesje, who saw potential for the building to be restored.

The basic structure and shape of the building remains intact, with the exception of the front high porch where a new roof was installed.  An addition in the back was also constructed in 2005 to accomodate the Hesje Cabinets business.

The restoration of this piece of property has allowed for the preservation of a building that has become a piece of Prince Albert's heritage and has contributed to positive renewal in the neighbourhood.  Revitalization is the key to urban renewal, making preservation of this nature worthy of recognition.

1235 Central Avenue

Category: Adaptive Re-use

Awarded to: Alex Bocian

Established in 1952, the Kresge Building immediately became a prominent fixture in the City of Prince Albert's downtown streetscape.  The building signified the beginning of a new design era and brought modernist architecture to the City.

The owner of the building, as of 2009, envisioned a fine dining restaurant in this former grocer's location and successfully transformed the space into a luxurious fine dining atmosphere.  Though much of the original building has been removed to meet the needs of various businesses, the original hardwood flooring and metallic ceiling tiles still remain.  These character defining elements have been utilized and refinished to accent the new use.  The exterior of the building has remained unmistakably the same since its construction.

Even though the owner never sought to restore this building to its original state, he made creative use of the structure and many of the original architectural features.

1200 Central Avenue

Category: Adaptive Re-use

Awarded to: Wilcox, Zuk, Chovin Law Office

The property, 1200 Central Avenue, is currently owned and occupied by the Wilcox, Zuk, Chovin Law Office. The building was nominated under the Adaptive Re-use category for the extensive renovations that have taken place to transform the former Bank of Montreal financial institution into the law office it is today while maintaining the building's character-defining elements.

Under this buidling's former use, it served as a part of what was known to Prince Albert residents as the "Bankers Corner." With minor modifications to the exterior of the building, the Law Office remains largely true to its original form. The recessed entrance, two steel entry columns and expansive windows continue to define this building's façade.

The renovations to the interior of the building included numerous changes to the floor plan layout to accommodate a redefined public entrance, additional office space, meeting rooms and washroom facilities. While these interior renovations were significant, a number of the defining interior features of the building were maintained, including re-exposing the top row of windows on the north side of the building, maintaining the original floor tiles in the reception area and preserving the original bank vault.

The level and quality of work demonstrated through the rehabilitation of this building exemplifies not only how a structure's economic and physical viability can be prolonged but how a historically significant corner of the City of Prince Albert's downtown can be prolonged as well.

301 - 14 Street West

Category: Preservation (Exterior and Interior)

Awarded to: Lorne and Phyllis Green

The property 301 – 14th Street West is owned by Lorne and Phyllis Green and was nominated under the Preservation (Exterior and Interior) category based on their restoration and preservation of this beautiful historic property. Restoration of this one hundred plus year old character home has not only been a mission of personal pride and satisfaction for the homeowners, but has also attracted a great deal of admiration from neighbours and the community supporting the restoration of heritage property in Prince Albert.

Interior renovations initially addressed heating and plumbing upgrades starting in the basement with insulation, new windows and upgrading to a high-efficiency boiler. This was followed with electrical upgrades leading to the replacement/repair of drywall and plaster walls throughout the home. With the structural upgrades completed, attentive restoration to the living quarters (washroom, kitchen, living, dining and bedrooms) was completed striving to maintain and preserve the historical and original features of the home. Extensive work was also completed to the grounds with a new patio, fence, flower beds and landscaping complementing the property.

The Court House is a Municipal Heritage Property located on a large parcel of land with a commanding vista overlooking Central Avenue and downtown Prince Albert. Constructed in 1927, the property features a two-storey, brick-clad building, surrounded by landscaped grounds

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the Prince Albert Court House lies in its architecture.  The building is one of a series of court houses designed by the office of the provincial architect, a government department responsible for the design and supervision of all public buildings from 1905 until the department was discontinued in the early 1930s during the depression.

Architect and engineer Maurice Sharon held the position between 1916 and 1930 and is credited with the design of ten Provincial court houses.  Several towns and cities were identified as judicial centres with those at Yorkton, Kerrobert, Prince Albert, Weyburn and Estevan receiving buildings of substantial size, while those at Gravelbourg, Shaunavon, Wynyard, Melfort and Assiniboia received more modest buildings that share an identical prototypical design.

While Sharon’s first courthouse at Yorkton exhibited an elaborate Beaux-Arts style, similar to other government buildings constructed during that time, he embraced a Colonial Revival style for the remaining nine buildings.  The building’s massing and projecting end pavilions make this building similar to the court houses in Yorkton and Kerrobert.  However the Prince Albert Court House is distinguished from the others by its unique central cupola with a clock.  These buildings featured pitched roofs, rain gutters integrated with projecting metal cornices, central cupola with attic ventilation, and brick cladding trimmed with stone.  The incorporation of these design elements enabled the government to reduce construction costs and solve technical problems of roof drainage while retaining the appropriate sense of grandeur and presence symbolic of a judicial building.

The heritage value of the Prince Albert Court House also lies in its landmark status in the community.  Situated on a hill overlooking downtown Prince Albert, the building’s prominence is evident through its size, brick cladding, and location.  The building’s large landscaped grounds with flagpoles and a statue also speak to the Court House’s landmark status.

This property has been designated as being of architectural, historical or natural value under the City of Prince Albert Bylaw No. 17 of 1983 - Designation of Heritage Property - Heritage Property Court House.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value of the Court House resides in the following character-defining elements:

• those architectural elements that reflect the Colonial Revival style of architecture, such as the building’s symmetrical design, sloped roof, metal cornice with integral rain gutters, central cupola with clock, dormer windows, and columned main entrance with portico and balcony;
• those architectural elements specific to the series of colonial style courthouse’s in Saskatchewan designed by Maurice Sharon, such as the use of claybank brick and Tyndal stone highlights;
• those elements that demonstrate the building’s status as a landmark in the community, such as the formal plantings and open grass areas of the grounds, flag poles, and statue on front grounds.

2015 - Peter A. Abrametz Law Building

1000 - 1st Avenue West

Awarded to:  Peter A. Abrametz 

This two-story brick building located at 1000 - 1st Avenue West originally housed the Imperial Bank of Canada and was built in the early 1900s. This old Imperial Bank of Canada building illustrates the historical value the banking industry served the community in the 1900s in what was the financial district of the day. Its soft red brick structure, large arched windows and entranceway, and elaborate cornice is indicative of the materials used during this construction period.

Mr. Abrametz has shown relentless dedication to restoring this historic building. The beautiful cornice has been repaired to its original glory and has been stabilized for safety. The arched windows were implemented into the rehabilitation work. Cracks and damaged mortar were replaced. New paint was applied to protect the integrity of the building, and new lighting and a new front door were installed. It has received great response from all who have seen the work completed to this historical building.

2016 – The Rusty Owl
21 River Street West

Category: Rehabilitation 

Awarded to:  Merle and Steve Kember

 21 River Street West is a two-storey brick building, built in the late 1800s, and has a history steeped in serving the citizens of Prince Albert. Dating back to its earlier years, the building's soft, red brick walls saw furniture retailers, cafes, clubs, repair shops, food stores, and more locate there. Today, this historic building is home to The Rusty Owl - Steampunk Cafe and Restaurant.

Nominated under the category "Rehabilitation", the renovation and adaptive reuse of this building falls in-line with the criteria laid out in the "Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada-General Guidelines for Preservation, Rehabilitation and Restoration (Recommended)". The restorative work undertaken to date has successfully preserved the historic and architecturally significant features - the brick work; large, arched second floor windows and elaborate cornices.