Description of Historic Place

The Former Armament Artificer's and Sergeant's Quarters is situated on the road leading to the naval dockyard. The building is a red brick, two-storey, rectangular structure with a large chimney and has paired projecting gables on the front façade. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Former Armament Artificer's and Sergeant's Quarters is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:
The Former Armament Artificer's and Sergeant's Quarters is a residential building associated with the Signal Hill complex. As part of the Victoria-Esquimalt coastal artillery system, its role was the defence of the dockyard and the Victoria coastline. Situated within the British Army Ordnance Corps facilities at Signal Hill, Former Armament Artificer's and Sergeant's Quarters was amongst the last structures completed during the joint Anglo-Canadian development phase. The building served as a Maritime Museum from the early 1950s until 1968. Following a period as a creative arts centre, the building now serves as part of the CFB Esquimalt Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre.

Architectural Value:
The Former Armament Artificer's and Sergeant's Quarters is a very good example of military residential quarters built in Canada by the Royal Engineers. Superior craftsmanship is evident in the quality of ornamental brickwork characteristic of the Royal Engineers' work.

Environmental Value:
Prominently sited at the base of Signal Hill on a rocky outcropping along the road leading to the naval dockyard, the building is well known on the base. The property adjoins that of the former Married Privates’ Quarters and together they form an isolated residential enclave. The Former Armament Artificer's and Sergeant's Quarters is compatible with the present character of the Canadian Forces Base at Esquimalt. Previous use as a naval museum has made the structure a regional landmark.

Sources: Ian Doull, Signal Hill, CFB Esquimalt (10 Buildings), Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, British Columbia. Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 89-203; Signal Hill Building No.522 (Former Armament Artificer's and Sergeant's Quarters), CFB Esquimalt, Esquimalt, British Columbia. Heritage Character Statement 89-203

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Former Armament Artificer's and Sergeant's Quarters should be respected.

The functional design and good quality materials and craftsmanship for example:
the simple, large massing of the two-storey, symmetrical, rectangular building with paired projecting gables on the front façade, a single projecting gable at the rear, and large central chimney; the masonry exterior walls and rounded brick detailing, including the frieze, plinth and pilasters, the corbelled brick chimney and the brick voussoirs; the multi-paned sash windows and the large tripartite windows with decorative mullions in the front gables.

The manner in which the Former Armament Artificer's and Sergeant's Quarters is compatible with the present character of Signal Hill and is a well-known local landmark, as evidenced by:
its size and its prominent location along the road leading to the naval dockyard.

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.

Building #522 was built at Signal Hill in 1904 by the Royal Engineers to serve as the Armament Artificer's and Sergeant's Quarters. The site was annexed by the Navy during the Second World War. The building served as a Maritime Museum from the early 1950s until 1968. Following a period as a creative arts centre, the building now serves as part of the CFB Esquimalt Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre. The Department of National Defence is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 89-203.

Reasons for Designation
The former Armament Artificer's and Sergeant's Quarters was designated Recognized for its attractive design, quality materials, superb craftsmanship and landmark status, and as a result of its association with the construction of the Signal Hill army complex to defend Canada's western coastline.

Financed jointly by the British and Canadian governments, the Signal Hill portion of the coastal artillery system was designed to defend the Esquimalt naval dockyard and the Victoria coastline, and to house technical and other support facilities for the system. The Armament Artificer's and Sergeant's Quarters was part of the British Army Ordnance Corps facilities at Signal Hill, and among the last structures completed before the withdrawal of the British Garrison.

The symmetrical two-storey brick structure is composed of a rectangular block with paired projecting gables on the front facade, and a single projecting gable at the rear. The superior quality of the construction and of the decorative brickwork is characteristic of the work of the Royal Engineers.

Prominently sited at the base of Signal Hill on a rocky outcropping along the Esquimalt Road leading to the naval dockyard, the building is well known on the base. Previous uses as a naval museum and as a creative arts centre operated by the Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria have made the house a regional landmark.

Character Defining Elements
The heritage character of Building #522 resides in its symmetrical massing, fine detailing, superior construction and materials, and visual prominence in its setting.

The symmetrical arrangement of the duplex dwelling around centre gables creates a well-proportioned compact composition. The large central chimney acts as a pivot for the design. The integrity of the form and profile should be respected.

The exterior facades are in good condition and the quality of the masonry is noteworthy. The rounded brick detailing, including projecting frieze, plinth and pilasters, the corbelled brick chimney, and the brick voussoirs forming the window openings are design features associated with the work of the Royal Engineers and should be preserved. The contrasting window sills and the original slate roof add variety and texture to the exterior. Repairs or replacement should be carried out in kind. Any masonry repairs should be undertaken in consultation with a masonry conservation expert. The multi-paned sash windows are original, and the large tripartite windows in the front gables have decorative mullions which add to their interest. Care should be taken to preserve and maintain all sashes and frames, which constitute valuable historic material.

Despite changes in the building's function, the original interior plan remains essentially unchanged. Several original fireplaces survive. Future work should respect early circulation patterns and preserve maximum original material.

The natural, rocky site is augmented by landscaping which consists of built-up grassy areas supported by stone retaining walls, while mature evergreens contribute to the informal, domestic character of the landscape. The property adjoins that of the former Married Privates' Quarters, and together they form an isolated residential enclave. The picturesque quality of the setting and historic site relationships should be preserved.