Description of Historic Place

The Armoury, also known as the Black Watch Armoury, sits prominently in its urban streetscape in Montréal. It is a two-storey, brick drill hall with a stone-clad façade that conjures up the image of a castle through the incorporation of crenelated turrets, iron chains and a low, wide arched entrance, reminiscent of a gate. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

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

Historical Value
The Armoury is closely associated with the reform and expansion of the Canadian militia. It is an important relic of the history of military architecture in Canada. Its construction was prompted by the reform of the militia undertaken in the 1890s by Frederick Borden, Minister of the Militia and Defence, which was continued after 1911 by his successor, Sir Sam Hughes. Created in 1862 under the name “5th Battalion, Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada”, the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada is one of the oldest volunteer militia regiments in Canada. Its main victories are South Africa (1899-1900), Vimy Ridge, the Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders (1915-1918), and the Rhineland and Northwestern Europe (1944-1945).

Architectural Value
The Armoury is valued for its good aesthetic and very good functional design. The façade, clad in grey Montréal limestone, was designed in the Gothic Revival style. The building’s compact plan expresses the program developed by the federal government for buildings of this type at the turn of the century. The large, unobstructed interior spaces with exposed two-hinged steel trusses accommodate drill, teaching and recreational facilities, elements considered innovative at its time of construction. High quality craftsmanship is evident throughout.

Environmental Value
The Armoury is compatible with the present character of its streetscape setting in Montréal. It is a familiar building in the area.

Sources: Jacqueline Hucker, Black Watch Armoury, Montréal, Québec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 93-018; Black Watch Armoury, Montréal, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 93-018.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its standard plan, very good functional design and good craftsmanship and materials, for example: the compact plan, which comprises two two-storey blocks and a large drill hall with a pitched roof; the masonry work, including the use of contrasting rough and smooth faced limestone blocks; the large wooden troop entrance, or portal, surmounted by a small-paned transom and the Gothic Revival treatment of the façade, including the symmetrically placed openings and decorative elements such as the crenelated turrets, iron chains, and the pilasters framing the portal; the architectural details such as the regimental coat of arms, the mullions, and the stone bands in relief; the access ramp, the clear and functional lines of the painted masonry walls and the utilitarian floors, which are representative of military interiors at the turn of the century and the interior elements such as the mantelpiece and built-in wooden cabinets, as well as the significant surviving décor and finishes; the large, open volume of the drill hall with exposed steel trusses.

The manner in which the Armoury is compatible with the present character of its streetscape setting in Montréal and is a familiar building in the area, as evidenced by: its scale, high standards of construction and materials, all of which contribute to and are in keeping with its urban streetscape surroundings; its high visibility due to its scale, and prominent corner lot location which makes it a familiar building in the urban area.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Black Watch Armoury of the Royal Highland Regiment of Canada was built in 1909 by the regiment itself; the identity of the architect is unknown. The facade was partially rebuilt following a fire in 1950. The building is the property of the Department of National Defence and continues to be used for its original purpose. See FHBRO Building Report 93-18.

Reasons for Designation

The Black Watch Armoury was designated Recognized for historical reasons, for its design and workmanship qualities, as well as for the integrity of its site.

Created in 1862 under the name “5th Battalion, Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada,” the Black Watch Regiment (Royal Highland Regiment) is one of the oldest volunteer militia regiments in Canada. Its main victories are South Africa (1899-1 900), Vimy Ridge and the Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders (1915-1918), the Rhineland and
Northwestern Europe (1944-45).

The building itself is an important relic of the history of military architecture in Canada. Its construction was prompted by the reform of the militia undertaken in the 1890s by Frederick Borden, Minister of the Militia and Defence, and continued after 1911 by his successor, Sir Sam Hughes.

The program of this armoury included drill, teaching and recreational facilities, elements considered innovative at the time. The two-hinged steel trusses, which were left exposed, were also a sign of “modernity.” Through its Gothic Revival stone facade and because its relationship with the environment has remained unchanged, this building enhances the architectural quality of Bleury Street.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage value of this armoury resides in its general form, the decorative treatment of its facade, the choice of materials and its effective integration with the surrounding urban environment.

Its compact plan expresses the program developed by the federal government for buildings of this type at the turn of the century. It comprises a large drill hall separating two two-storey blocks which house administrative and utilitarian areas: the “head house,” located on the facade, and a second block located behind the gymnasium. It would be appropriate to preserve the integrity of these volumes, which effectively express the building’s functions.

The choice of Gothic Revival for the treatment of the facade distinguishes this armoury and gives it the appearance of a Scottish manor house. The use of contrasting rough and smooth faced limestone blocks adds texture and character to the whole. The concern for symmetry is obvious in the location of the openings, as well as in the location of the decorative elements such as the crenellated turrets, iron chains and pilasters framing the portal. It remains important to respect this principle of composition. Should it prove necessary to replace certain defective stones, care must be taken to ensure that materials of the same type and texture are chosen. The repointing should also be done in a manner respectful of the style and composition of the original joints.

A large wooden portal surmounted by a small-paned transom allows the troops to enter the Armoury from Bleury Street. An effective maintenance program should be instituted to ensure its preservation as well as that of its ironwork. A number of architectural details such as the regimental coat of arms, the mullions and the stone bands in relief add style to this facade. Should it prove necessary to clean the stone, a gentle method should be used in order to avoid damaging it.

The other volumes of the Armoury clearly reflect the functional aspect of the building. The pitch of the roof, which characterizes the central section, suggests the drill hall; the rear block, for its part, is similar in scale to the “head house.” The only modulations of these large brick surfaces are the windows inserted under the flattened brick arches.
The irregularly laid foundation stones provide a link with the stone facing of the facade. This choice of materials, as well as the shapes of the openings, should be respected. Should some of the bricks have to be replaced, care should be taken to match the new ones to the existing facing and to reproduce the same type of joint.

The access ramp, the clear and functional lines of the painted masonry walls and the utilitarian floors clearly are representative of military interiors at the turn of the century. Only the officers’ mess, located on the second floor of the rear block, can boast some uxurious appointments. Indeed, it has a beautiful mantlepiece and built-in wooden cabinets. These elements of the original decor should be retained and the period finishes preserved insofar as possible. The exposed steel trusses of the drill hall are still intact. Out of respect for the designer, they should be left exposed and receive preventive maintenance.

The relationship of the Black Watch Armoury with the street and the neighbouring buildings has remained virtually unchanged since its construction, except for the parking lot located on the north side. It seems important to restructure the Armoury’s immediate environment while maintaining a measure of harmony between the old and the new. Any infill project on the vacant lot should be respectful of the form, heights, materials and rhythm of the openings of the heritage building.