Description of Historic Place

Southern Tower D-2 consists of a well-proportioned, octagonal concrete tower that features a concrete cornice and corbels, red brick veneer infill panels, and is capped with a one-storey observation deck and security gallery. Southern Tower D-2 stands at the southeast corner of the south wall of the Prince Albert Penitentiary, which is located on the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River and is surrounded by agricultural lands and mixed-use buildings. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Southern Tower D-2 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical value:
Southern Tower D-2 is associated with the national historic theme of the Canadian justice system and the development of a system of corrections as a response to a need for a graduated tier of penalties to enforce the law. The construction of the penitentiary’s walls and four corner towers, including Southern Tower D-2, between 1922 and 1926, defines the termination of the first and most important phase in the development of the Prince Albert Penitentiary. A fundamental component of the protective network of the penitentiary, the completion of the towers and walls signified the achievement of the minimum departmental standard for a complete federal correctional facility.

Architectural value:
The Southern Tower D-2 is a good example of a tower designed in the architectural tradition of castles and fortresses, and handled with a modern sensibility. Balanced and well proportioned, the form of the Southern Tower D-2 is derived from a classical column and is composed of an octagonal shaft featuring a base, projecting concrete cornice and corbels, and a one-storey observation deck with security gallery. Constructed of durable, good quality materials, the tower displays a high level of craftsmanship in the execution of the exterior concrete cornice and pilasters, and the red brick veneer infill panels.

Environmental value:
Southern Tower D-2 is located at the southeast corner of the penitentiary’s south wall, and together with Towers D-1, D-3 and D-4, it reinforces the institutional character of the prison. Southern Tower D-2’s distinctive form and location contribute to the identification of the penitentiary, and make it a conspicuous landmark within the area.

Source:
Southern Tower D-2, Prince Albert Penitentiary, Saskatchewan, Heritage Character Statement 89-036.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Southern Tower D-2 should be respected.

Its role as an illustration of the development of a system of corrections as a response to a need for a graduated tier of penalties to enforce the law is reflected in: its function, as an essential component of the penitentiary’s first line of defence in maintaining prison security through the provision of supervision and surveillance.

The building’s aesthetic design, detailing, good quality materials and skilled craftsmanship as manifested in: the balanced and well proportioned composition of the tower which consists of a concrete base, an octagonal shaft, a projecting concrete cornice and corbels, and a one-storey, octagonal observation gallery with a guard hut and octagonal medium-pitched hipped roof; the narrow, deeply inset windows and doorways; the relatively simple functional program which consists of a staircase, guard room and observation gallery with guard hut; the wood-framed guard hut with metal-clad standing seam roof and candle-snuffer detail at its peak; and, the detailing of the concrete cornice and corbels, and the red brick veneer infill panels.

The manner in which the tower reinforces the institutional character of the prison setting as evidenced in: its distinctive and identifiable form as a prison security tower and its contribution to the definition of the perimeter of the penitentiary; and, the compatibility of its materials and style with Towers D-1, D-3 and D-4.

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.

Reasons for Designation

Southern Tower D2 is a “Recognized” Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical value:
Southern Tower D2 is associated with the Canadian justice system and the development of a system of corrections as a response to a need for a graduated tier of penalties to enforce the law. The construction of the penitentiary’s four corner towers, including Southern Tower D2, between 1922 and 1926, defines the termination of the first and most important phase in the development of the Prince Albert Penitentiary. A fundamental component of the protective network of the penitentiary, the completion of the towers signified the achievement of the minimum departmental standard for a complete federal correctional facility.

Architectural value:
The architectural design and decorative treatment of Southern Tower D2 consists of motifs traditionally associated with fortresses and castles, handled with a modern sensibility. Balanced and well proportioned, the form of the Southern Tower D2 is derived from a classical column and is composed of an octagonal shaft featuring a base, projecting concrete cornice and corbels, and a one-storey observation deck with wood-framed guard hut and metal-clad roof. Constructed of durable, good quality materials, the tower displays a high level of craftsmanship in the execution of the exterior concrete cornice and pilasters, and the red brick veneer infill panels.

Environmental value:
The Prince Albert Penitentiary is surrounded by an open expanse of agricultural land and mixed use buildings some of which house institutional support facilities. Southern Tower D2 is located at the southeast corner of the penitentiary and together with Towers D1, D3 and D4, it reinforces the institutional character of the prison. Southern Tower D2’s distinctive form and location contribute to the identification of the penitentiary, and make it a conspicuous landmark within the area.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of Southern Tower D2 should be respected:

Its role as an illustration of the development of a system of corrections as a response to a need for a graduated tier of penalties to enforce the law is reflected in:

- its function, as an essential component of the penitentiary’s first line of defence in maintaining prison security through the provision of supervision and surveillance.

The building’s aesthetic design, detailing, good quality materials and skilled craftsmanship as manifested in:
- the balanced and well proportioned composition of the tower which consists of a concrete base, an octagonal shaft, a projecting concrete cornice and corbels, and a one-storey, octagonal observation gallery with a guard hut and octagonal medium-pitched hipped roof;
- the narrow, deeply inset windows and doorways;
- the relatively simple functional program which consists of a staircase, guard room and observation gallery with guard hut;
- the exterior finishes which consist of a poured concrete base with recessed panels, and the shaft’s concrete pilasters with recessed red brick veneer infill panels and decorative corbelling or drip moulds on the lower portion, and flush red brick veneer panels on the upper portion;
- the wood-framed guard hut with metal-clad standing seam roof and candle-snuffer detail at it peak; and,
- the detailing of the concrete cornice and corbels.

The manner in which the tower reinforces the institutional character of the prison setting as evidenced in:
- its distinctive and identifiable form as a prison security tower and its contribution to the definition of the perimeter of the penitentiary; and,
- the compatibility of its materials and style with Towers D1, D3 and D4.