Description of Historic Place

The Armoury is located in a mixed residential and commercial area in central Brampton. It is a mid-size, rectangular building with a low-pitched gable roof. The building’s sturdy brick walls feature engaged pilasters and elaborate detailing on the gable end. 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 value.

Historical Value
The Armoury is associated with the pre-First World War armoury building campaign and the reform and expansion of the volunteer militia. The building reflects the federal commitment to provide good local training facilities for the militia. The construction of the armoury recognized the importance of the town as a military center and reflected its growth and prosperity.

Architectural Value
The Armoury is a good example of a mid-size, standard plan armoury which follows the Militia Council plan type “B”. It demonstrates very good functional design as evidenced in the steel roof truss construction, which accommodates an unobstructed drill hall. It also exhibits good craftsmanship as evidenced in the contrasts of materials and the elaboration of details on its gable end.

Environmental Value
The Armoury is compatible with the present character of its mixed residential and commercial neighbourhood setting. It is a well-known building within the community.

Sources: Jacquline Adell, Armoury, Brampton, Ontario, Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report 90-152; Armoury, Brampton, Ontario Heritage Character Statement, 90-152.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its standard plan, functional design and quality craftsmanship, for example: its rectangular footprint and symmetrical massing; its low-pitched gable roof with elaborate tracery corbelling, limestone coping along the parapet and keystones for the circular windows at the gable ends; its load-bearing exterior walls clad in red brick with engaged pilasters and detailed with flat-voussoired windows, and troop doors with limestone detailing for the keystones and sills; its multi-paned wood and metal sash windows; its large, open drill hall with exposed steel trusses and extensive glazing.

The manner in which the Armoury is compatible with the present character of its mixed residential and commercial neighbourhood setting and is a well-known landmark within the community, as evidenced by: its scale, high standards of construction and materials and its location in the center of town, all of which contribute to and are in keeping with its surrounding townscape; its strong local presence through its continued use for community activities which makes it a familiar building in the community.

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 Brampton Armoury was constructed in 1914-15. This mid size armoury follows the Militia Council plan type 'B' and was designed by the Department of Militia and Defence. The building continues to serve as an armoury. Alterations include chain link fencing, signage above the main entry, new windows and doors, an exit stair along one side, as well as construction of a one storey building to the rear. The Department of National Defence is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 90-152.

Reasons For Designation

The Brampton Armoury was designated Recognized because of its architectural importance and its environmental significance as well as its historical associations.

The Brampton Armoury is a brick, gable-roofed structure that relies on textural and material contrasts as well as the elaboration of details on the gable end to enliven the facades. It has a good functional design, with an end entrance into the large unobstructed drill hall which is the most distinctive space. The exposed steel roof truss construction is a characteristic feature.

The armoury contributes significantly to its surrounding townscape because of its scale and high standards of design and construction. It is compatible with the mixed residential and commercial neighbourhood scale. The armoury has a strong local presence through continued use for community activities.

The construction of the building is associated with the pre-World War I armoury building campaign and the reform and expansion of the volunteer militia. The building reflects the federal commitment to provide good local training facilities for the militia. The construction of the armoury was in response to the importance of the town as a military centre and in recognition of its prosperity and growth.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Brampton Armoury resides in its overall form, proportions, construction materials, architectural details, interior planning and volumes and site relationships.


The two-storey structure has a rectangular footprint and low-pitched gable roof which
reflect the simple functional planning, and the clarity of this expression should be maintained. The functional roof profile is accentuated by the stepped gable parapet. The symmetrical massing is complemented by a repetitive rhythm of buttresses on the gable and the sides as well as a balanced pattern of windows and doors which contribute to the visual richness of the facades.

The well-scaled facades are executed in smooth red brick, with smooth-faced limestone detailing such as keystones, sills, and coping at the parapet providing colour and textural contrast. The masonry is simply detailed with flat-voussoired windows and troop doors, and pilasters reflecting the structural grid. The gables have elaborate tracery corbelling with a stepped profile, and a circular vent with limestone keystones. The masonry requires an ongoing maintenance program, and conservation expertise in the choice of materials and techniques for repair and replacement. The stone coping of the gables is a characteristic feature of these drill hall types and should be maintained.

The addition of asymmetrically located steel escape stairs to the side is a modern intervention that introduces an inappropriate material and design. The character of the building would be enhanced by addressing exit requirements in a more integrated manner which does not detract from the building. Signs which conceal architectural details and overpower the facade should be removed when operationally appropriate and replaced by signage more in character with the building.

The roof of the armoury is a prominent feature. Replacement roofing materials should be based on historical precedent for materials and colours to ensure respect for the design.

Wood sash with their relatively heavy members and smaller subdivisions contribute a prominent, fine-scale pattern to the window openings. The multi-paned wood and metal sash windows, where original, should be maintained. Modern replacements greatly simplify the visual richness of the traditional frame and sash profiles and increase glazed areas. When existing replacements reach the end of their life, care should be taken to ensure sympathetic replacements. The building has various transoms blocked off with wood panels and air conditioning units, reducing interior day lighting and introducing a different material to the facades, which alters the symmetrical expression of the glazing. Where windows have been blocked off, they should be reinstated, and a less obtrusive approach to air conditioning considered.

The entrance doors are modern metal doors with large glazed panels. When these doors are at the end of their life they should be replaced with doors based on historical research or extant early material more in keeping with the design of the building.

The armoury interior follows a standard plan, with the principal entrance located in the centre of the short facade. The interior is characterized by the large, open volume of the hall, with exposed steel trusses and extensive glazing contributing to the bright, well lit character of the hall. The original interior finishes are an important part of the heritage character, reflecting the functional approach to materials and finishes of the military.

A simple, austere ground plane is typical of armoury sites: the use of turfgrass, asphalt and concrete paving supports this character and should be continued. Shrub plantings could be used but sparingly. Foundation plantings and ornamental plantings adjacent to the chain link fence should not be allowed to obscure the characteristic lines of the building. The placement of mature specimen trees adjacent to the entrances reinforces the symmetry of the front facade. Research is recommended to determine a more historically appropriate and compatible substitute for chain link fencing.