This was the first 'fireproof bank' built in Edmonton and it's still standing
If you’ve spent some time in downtown Edmonton, there may be one building that has caught your eye thanks to its unique architecture.
Nestled just down the street from the iconic Fairmont Hotel MacDonald, you’ll find another beauty of a building—the Canada Permanent Mortgage building.
Constructed in 1909, it was built by the Canada Permanent Mortgage Company, which was established in Toronto in 1855 and expanded to Alberta in 1901, filling an important role providing mortgages for farms, residences, and small businesses during a period of rapid growth.
The Edmonton branch would become the headquarters for Canada Permanent’s operations in Alberta. The Edwardian Baroque architecture of the Canada Permanent Building, which is considered a rare example in Edmonton, is apparent in its grand proportions and rich ornamentation. The use of this style (usually reserved for significant public buildings) was a testament to Canada Permanent’s optimistic outlook on Edmonton’s and Alberta’s future.
Laine Mitchell/Daily Hive
Character-defining elements of the Canada Permanent Building include a reinforced concrete structure, with sandstone and red brick exterior and a flat roof. On the east facade, there are three distinct bays separated by pilasters with Ionic capitals, a stone balustrade featuring a central date stone of 1910, and a garland around urns at the roof level.
Of note are the decorative brick and stone detailing, including the winged lighthouse above the entrance doorway, pictured below. The interior has a poured concrete staircase with a wrought iron railing and a wood handrail. The building was advertised as Edmonton’s first “fireproof bank,” due to its innovative building technique.
Laine Mitchell/Daily Hive
The heritage value of this building lies in its associations with the early 20th-century architect Roland W. Lines. Living in Edmonton for only a decade before losing his life in the First World War, Lines designed several notable buildings still standing today, including the Union Bank Building (1910), Alex Taylor School (1906), and Strathcona Collegiate Institute (1909). Lines is known for his use of many styles and strong classical themes in his work. He designed the Canada Permanent Building to portray strength and stability.
Laine Mitchell/Daily Hive
The building was designated a municipal historic resource by the City of Edmonton in May 2022 and a provincial historic resource in January 1995.
Have you wandered by this stunning building while in downtown Edmonton, or do you have any neat stories about its past you would like to share? Let us know in the comments.