Description of Historic Place

At the eastern entrance to the city, located at Fort Frontenac National Historic Site of Canada, the De Noyan Block is a simple rectangular two-storey, stone structure with a prominent gable-hipped roof with a projecting stone chimney. It has a fifteen bay façade divided into a nine bay center unit and two three bay end units. There are small window openings, rifle loopholes and defensible porches on its exterior. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

De Noyan Block is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
Fort Frontenac, originally the Tête de Pont barracks, was the first of four British military complexes in Kingston and the De Noyan Block building is one of the best examples illustrating the major role it played in Britain’s defence strategy for Canada. The De Noyan Block, one of the oldest buildings on the site was constructed as barracks for two hundred men. Fort Frontenac is also one of the best examples impacting the historical, social and economic development of Kingston. At the outbreak of the war in 1812 there was only evidence of small growth of the town, however during the war, the town enjoyed an economic boom. Kingston enjoyed economic prosperity throughout most of the first half of the nineteenth century and this area remained the principle industrial and commercial site long after the British departure.

Architectural Value
The De Noyan Block is a very good example of nineteenth century British military architecture. The building was designed for a dual role as barracks and as part of the fortifications, which accounts for its greater wall mass, loop windows and defensible entry porches. It is domestic in scale with simplicity of design, robust use of materials, high standard of workmanship and spare utility typical of British military construction. It is characterized by its form, its overall classically inspired proportions, construction materials and craftsmanship.

Environmental Value
Ideally situated at the eastern entrance to the city, where the Cataraqui River empties into Lake Ontario, Fort Frontenac stands as a clear reminder of the city’s origins as a garrison town and its long historic military past. Its limestone walls, distinctive roof lines and attractive grounds are one of the first sights on the principal road into the city. De Noyan Block, a significant element to Fort Frontenac, reinforces the military defense character of the military complex in its fort setting. Together with other prominent buildings, Fort Frontenac plays a significant role in establishing the distinctive visual character of the city along the waterfront. It is a conspicuous national and local landmark.

Sources: Jacqueline Adell, De Noyan Block, Fort Frontenc, Kingston, Ontario, Federal Heritage Building Report 89-040; De Noyan Block, Fort Frontenac, Kingston, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement, 89-040.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the De Noyan Block should be respected.

Its British military design, classically-inspired proportions, construction materials and craftsmanship as manifested in: its domestic scale and simplicity of design consisting of a two-storey rectangular structure with a prominent gable-hip roof with projecting stone chimneys; its fifteen bay façade divided into a nine bay center unit and two three bay end units; the quality of its masonry with smooth limestone walls with regular coursing accented by simple details such as projecting window sills, quoins and simple entablatures over the windows and doors; the well balanced, symmetrically proportioned, tripartite order within the façades; the small window openings, rifle loopholes, and defensible porches emphasizing the mass and creating a fortified appearance of the building; its interior plan, a variant of a standard plan introduced in the eighteenth century.

The manner in which De Noyan Block reinforces its military defense character in its fort setting.

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 De Noyan Block was constructed as barracks for 200 men in 1827 to designs by the Royal Engineers of the British Military. The Department of National Defense is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 89-40.

Reasons for Designation
The De Noyan Block was designated Classified for its historical associations, architectural importance, and environmental and local significance for Kingston.

Fort Frontenac, originally the Tête de Pont barracks, was the first of four British military complexes in Kingston, and played a major role in Britain's defense strategy for Canada. The De Noyan Block is one of the oldest buildings on the site.

The De Noyan Block is a very good example of 19th century military architecture. The building was designed for a dual role as barracks and as part of the fortifications, which accounts for its greater wall mass, loop windows, and defensible entry porches. It is domestic in scale with a simplicity of design, robust use of materials, high standard of workmanship and spare utility typical of British military construction.

The De Noyan Block is a significant element of the fort, and its height, scale, and appearance are compatible with adjacent buildings. It is familiar as one of several buildings comprising Fort Frontenac.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the De Noyan Block resides in the building's form, its overall classically-inspired proportions, construction materials, architectural details, surviving interior layout and finishes, and relationship to its site and setting.
The De Noyan Block is a simple rectangular two-storey structure with a gable-hip roof. The small window openings, rifle loopholes, and defensible porches emphasize the
mass and create a fortified appearance for the building. These characteristics should be maintained, as should the well balanced, symmetrically proportioned, tripartite order
within the facades. The footprint of the building and the prominent roof profile should not be compromised. The gable end add-on roof and asymmetrical entrances are not compatible with the design of the building.

The building is characterized by the quality of its masonry. The smooth limestone walls with regular coursing are accented by simple details such as projecting window sills, quoins, and simple entablatures over the windows and doors. These details are integral to the character of the building and should be maintained. The building materials merit appropriate conservation expertise and regular maintenance.

The roof is a prominent feature. Conservation expertise should be sought when re-roofing to confirm appropriate materials and color. The stone chimneys should be maintained.

The regular rhythm of the window arrangement contributes to the sense of solidity, balance, and order and should not be compromised. Window openings which are blocked alter the rhythm and balance of the facade and should be re-instated. The four-over-four wood double-hung windows have replaced earlier six-over-six windows. When replacement is required, a return to the six-over-six configuration in wood is recommended.

The original barracks interior plan is a variant of a standard plan introduced in the eighteenth century. It survives and should be maintained. An investigation of historical precedent for the interior finishes is recommended to define compatible scale and materials for new work. Surviving interior finishes should be identified and protected.

A landscape program in the 1930s improved and refined the site with lawns and trees. Landscape modifications should be limited to low, small-scale landscape material in keeping with the current formal character of the site. The masonry walls should be monitored for potential damage from the vines climbing the facades.

For further guidance, please refer to the FHBRO Code of Practice.


1996.08.26