Description of Historic Place

Salaberry Armoury is situated in downtown Gatineau, Hull sector, in a mixed industrial and residential area. The large structure features a steeply pitched gable roof and its prominent chimneys contribute to the late Château Style of the building. Features include an arched main entrance, medieval inspired towers and loopholes. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Salaberry Armoury is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
Salaberry Armoury is associated with the development of Canada’s militia regiments during the interwar years and is one of twelve armouries constructed between the First and Second World Wars. The armoury was constructed as a result of a major reorganization and modernization of the militia.

Architectural Value
Salaberry Armoury is valued for its very good aesthetic design, executed in the late Château Style. The modern structural design, consisting of concrete floors supporting a steel frame, is specifically an interwar feature in the development of the Canadian drill hall. The round towers that flank the arched troop entrance emphasize its fortress motif and convey strength and solidity. Very good functionality is exhibited in the large unobstructed drill hall that is the dominant feature. The brickwork exhibits very good craftsmanship and materials.

Environmental Value
Salaberry Armoury reinforces with the present downtown character of the mixed industrial and residential setting and is a conspicuous local landmark.

Sources: Joan Mattie, Salaberry Armoury, 188 Taché Boulevard, Gatineau, Hull sector, Quebec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 92-046; Manège de Salaberry,188 Taché Boulevard, Gatineau, Hull sector, Quebec, Heritage Character Statement 92-046.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Salaberry Armoury should be respected.

Its very good simplified late Château Style aesthetic, very good functional design, and very good craftsmanship, for example:
- the building’s two and three storey massing, the stepped profile, monumental scale and proportions;
- the steep pitch of the roofs, the gable roofed drill hall, the hipped roof, and prominent chimneys;
- the red brick and white limestone exterior with the central arched main entrance flanked by round towers;
- the decorative elements including stringcourses, copings, window trims, concentric Tudor entrance arches, and carved plaques;
- the large, unobstructed interior of the drill hall spanned by exposed steel trusses and with extensive glazing;
- the multi-paned wood sash windows and the large multi-paned steel windows;
- the entrance doors of panelled wood, the heavy iron hardware and the multi-paned glazing;
- the original interior finishes including the wooden mouldings and trims, wooden double-panelled doors, and rooms such as the officer’s mess, ancillary offices, mess halls and classrooms set in a three-storey block at one end.

The manner in which the Salaberry Armoury reinforces the present industrial and residential character of its downtown Gatineau, Hull sector setting and is a conspicuous landmark, as evidenced by:
- its scale, design and distinctive profile that contribute to the character of its downtown setting;
- the structure’s specialized military role that make it a well-known community landmark.