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Gardner Building

66 Prince William Street, Saint John, New Brunswick, E2L, Canada

Formally Recognized: 1982/03/18

View of the building's storefront.; Commercial Properties Limited
Gardner Building
No Image
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Other Name(s)

n/a

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

1877/01/01 to 1881/01/01

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2004/08/17

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

The Gardner building is a four storey brick building on Prince William Street in the commercial district of the City of Saint John. The building is located in the Trinity Royal area and was recognized in the City of Saint John Preservation Areas Bylaw in 1982.

Heritage Value

This building is significant as one of a collection of Italianate and Second Empire style commercial buildings that were built between 1877 and 1881 after two thirds of the City of Saint John was destroyed in the Great Saint John Fire of 1877. The Italianate style building was built for merchant Samuel Gardner who had formerly been in a partnership with John Ennis under the name of Ennis and Gardner. By 1884 the building was occupied by the organizations of three other people; William Dudley (book-binder), George F. Simonson (paper box manufacturer), and W. T. McLeod (manufacturers agent).

This building serves as a reminder of the strong will of the Saint John merchants to rebuild the city after the fire. The brick and stone architecture sent a message that the city would be more fire resistant in the future. The elements and level of design demonstrate that the city was rebuilt in grander fashion.

Source: Planning and Development Department - City of Saint John

Character-Defining Elements

The architectural elements relating to the Italianate style of this building include:
The Storefront
- two end columns and four supporting cast iron columns displaying a circular design;
- wooden base panel;
- four storefront windows with multiple pane transom windows;
- some pilasters and columns have Corinthian entablatures;
- storefront cornice has decorative pulley and rope design bracket;
- leaf and shell design through frieze and cornice;
- recessed entrance with a single door topped with by a transom window.

The Upper Storeys
- all windows are two over two topped with roman arches;
- all windows have roman arch headers with sandstone keystone and ends;
- windows have sandstone sills;
- projecting metal roof-line cornice with heavy brackets.

Recognition

Jurisdiction

New Brunswick

Recognition Authority

Local Governments (NB)

Recognition Statute

Municipal Heritage Preservation Act, s.5(1)

Recognition Type

Municipal Heritage Preservation Act

Recognition Date

1982/03/18

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

1877/01/01 to 1877/01/01

Theme - Category and Type

Developing Economies
Trade and Commerce
Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
Architecture and Design

Function - Category and Type

Current

Commerce / Commercial Services
Shop or Wholesale Establishment

Historic

Commerce / Commercial Services
Office or Office Building

Architect / Designer

n/a

Builder

Mr. Barteaux

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

Planning and Development Department - City of Saint John

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

134

Status

Published

Related Places

n/a

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