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Prince William Streetscape National Historic Site of Canada

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

Formally Recognized: 1981/06/15

Corner view of the Prince William Streetscape National Historic Site of Canada, 1992.; Parks Canada Agency / Agence Parcs Canada, 1992.
Prince William Streetscape
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Other Name(s)

Prince William Streetscape
Rue Prince William
Prince William Streetscape National Historic Site of Canada

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

1877/01/01 to 1915/01/01

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2007/07/04

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

This streetscape comprises twelve public and commercial buildings in downtown Saint John, New Brunswick. These distinguished late 19th-century, masonry buildings are concentrated in a two-block stretch of Prince William Street in the vicinity of Princess and Duke streets.

Heritage Value

Prince William Streetscape was designated a national historic site in 1981 because:

- this historic streetscape is distinguished by its rare concentration of homogeneous, primarily late 19th- century architecture; and
- the buildings represent solid, dignified and sometimes flamboyant interpretations of contemporary styles and building technology.

The heritage value of the Prince William Streetscape resides in the concentration of architecturally notable public and commercial buildings within a two-block area. Most were erected after the Great Fire of 1877, and their use of late 19th-century architectural styles, fire-retardant materials and fine craftsmanship illustrates the determination of the city of Saint John to rebuild its fortunes in the wake of the disastrous fire.

Source: Historic Sites and Monument Board of Canada, Minutes, June 1981.

Character-Defining Elements

Key features contributing to the heritage value of this site include:

- urban plan with buildings abutting each other and built up to the sidewalk;
- consistent scale of three to four storeys;
- masonry construction materials, primarily brick and stone;
- use of high-style, late 19th-century architectural vocabulary, particularly Italianate and Beaux-Arts;
- elaborate detailing and craftsmanship.

Recognition

Jurisdiction

Federal

Recognition Authority

Government of Canada

Recognition Statute

Historic Sites and Monuments Act

Recognition Type

National Historic Site of Canada

Recognition Date

1981/06/15

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

n/a

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
Office or Office Building

Historic

Government
Office or office building

Architect / Designer

n/a

Builder

n/a

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

National Historic Sites Directorate, Documentation Centre, 5th Floor, Room 89, 25 Eddy Street, Gatineau, Quebec

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

203

Status

Published

Related Places

Old Post Office - Contextual view

Old Post Office

Old Post Office is a large three-and-a-half storey stone Second Empire building with high Roman arch windows and a mansard roof. It faces Prince William Street and extends to…

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