Description of Historic Place

The Government of Canada Building is a flat roofed, modern design building located in the St. Catharines Farmers Market and City Hall area. Simple, geometric forms, symmetrical façades, flat materials and minimal detailing characterize the L-shaped structure. On the principal façade smooth stone facing contrasts with black spandrel panels set between the windows. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Government of Canada Building in St. Catharines is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
The Government of Canada Building in St. Catharines is associated with the expansion of federal government departments and services after World War II, and the construction of modern multi-use facilities to project an image of a modern and progressive federal government. The building was constructed to house the Canadian Postal Service, National Revenue and Canada Customs.

Architectural Value
Valued for its good aesthetics, the Government of Canada Building in St. Catharines is a modern design with horizontal emphasis and a geometric composition. The rhythm of the windows, the simple forms, the minimal detailing and use of quality materials in a limited range contributes to the early 1950s design. Designed for the sorting and delivery of mail on the ground floor and general office space in the basement and on the second floor, this functional building demonstrates good craftsmanship and materials as seen on the exterior through the uniform shape and finish of the Indiana Oolithic limestone.

Environmental Value
The Government of Canada Building in St. Catharines reinforces the central business district where it is a familiar local landmark.

Sources: Marilyn Armstrong-Reynolds, Government of Canada Building, 32 Church Street, St. Catharines, Ontario, Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 89-044; Government of Canada Building (GOCB), 32 Church Street, St. Catharines, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 98-045.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Government of Canada Building in St. Catharines should be respected.

Its modern design and very good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example: the two-storey, L-shaped, flat roofed massing; the placement of windows in vertical bands with large rectangular openings separated by a porcelain enamel spandrel panel, over a black granite base; the main entrance features with curve fronted, projecting vestibule under a metal, low relief, coat of arms; the eastern entrance with recessed entrance screen under a projecting stone canopy, with figurative sculpture mounted on the limestone wall, framed by a raised moulding; the good quality materials used on the exterior such as the Indiana Oolithic limestone whereby a high level of craftsmanship is also demonstrated; the sunken panels of the principal elevation containing carved bas-reliefs; the interior decorative finishes of the main lobby, stairwells, halls and washrooms finished with terrazzo flooring, polished granite walls, chrome railings, granite and marble, the original lighting fixtures and the marble writing desks.

The manner in which the Government of Canada Building reinforces the commercial centre of St. Catharines and is a city landmark, as evidenced by: its scale, and stone and bronze materials that complement the other downtown buildings; its visibility and familiarity given its prominent location and ongoing use as federal offices make it a well-known building in the 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 St-Catharine's GOC Building was constructed in 1956 to house the Canadian Postal Service, National Revenue and Canada Customs. The purpose-built structure was designed for the sorting and delivery of mail on the ground floor and general office space in the basement and on the second floor. The building was designed by the St. Catharines architect William A. Salter. External modifications include: the breaking of a single door opening, the construction of a wheelchair ramp south of the principal entrance (n.d.) and the replacement of the original windows (1996). Internal modifications include: the gutting of the office areas on the ground floor (1999). The building is currently under renovation for the sole use of Revenue Canada. Public Works and Government Services Canada is the custodian. See FHBRO Informal Building Report 98-45.

Reasons for Designation

The GOC Building has been designated Recognized because of its historical associations, its superior workmanship, its intact site, and for its influence on the character of the area.

The theme identified for the building is the expansion of federal government departments and services after World War II, and the construction of modern multi-use facilities to project an image of a modern and progressive federal government.

The high quality of workmanship is demonstrated on the exterior through the uniform shape and finish of Indiana Oolitic Limestone supplied by the mill, and the skills of the cut stone contractor demonstrated in the cutting and setting of the coursed ashlar walling, the molded trim, and the entrance features. The figurative sculpture in cast aluminum and the bas-relief sculpture in the Indiana limestone demonstrate a high level of craftsmanship. On the interior, the terrazzo work in the stairwells, the architectural metalwork of the hand railing, and the bas-relief carving in the marble feature wall exhibit a skilled handling of materials.

The few changes to the site in recent years, such as the addition of a single door and concrete ramp on the principal elevation, have not altered the heritage character of the site in a significant way. The GOC Building continues to reinforce the commercial character of the Farmers Market/City Hall area.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the GOC Building resides in the two storey, 'L' shaped, flat roofed mass of the building, the symmetrical treatment of the façades, the distinctive grouping of windows, the reduced and simplified classical style detailing, and the choice of materials with smooth, pristine surfaces.

On the exterior, the character defining features of the building are: the shallow moulding run on the stone parapet, the windows grouped in vertical bands (two, three or five superimposed large rectangular openings separated by a porcelain enamel spandrel panel, over a black granite base), the eastern entrance feature (a recessed aluminum entrance screen over which is a projecting stone canopy and figurative sculpture mounted on the limestone wall - the whole framed by a raised moulding), the main entrance feature (a curve fronted, projecting vestibule with an aluminum entrance screen surmounted by a large cast-metal, low relief, multi-coloured coat of arms mounted on a curved limestone surface), and the sunken panels at opposite ends of the principal elevation containing superimposed windows - each with a bas relief carved stone spandrel panel (the lower window on the south panel has been replaced by a door) .

The horizontality of the composition is reinforced by the grey granite base (which matches in height the black granite beneath the windows), the continuous moulding run on the limestone parapet, and the uniform height and elevation of all the ground and second floor windows. Visual unity is achieved by the limited range of building materials employed, the repetitive pattern of window openings and the symmetrical arrangement of windows and entrance features on individual elevations.

The presence of so many original architectural elements on the exterior (notwithstanding the replacement of the original windows in 1996) and the coherence and unity of the original design, which can still be read, mean the recognized designation applies to the whole exterior of the building with the exception of doors and ramps added in recent years to improve access. All character defining features described above should be protected.

The interior character defining features of the building are: the decorative program selected for the main lobby (terrazzo flooring, polished granite walls and a 'luminous ceiling'), the main stairwell (a concrete stair with terrazzo treads and risers, brushed chrome hand railing, polished granite side walls and a cream marble feature wall with bas relief carved panels, illustrating the floral emblem of each province), the eastern or unemployment insurance commission stairwell (a concrete stair with terrazzo treads and risers, painted steel hand railing and cream marble faced walls), the stair hall on the second floor ( terrazzo floor and cream marble faced walls), the washrooms (terrazzo floor, ceramic tile walls, plaster ceiling) and the original lighting fixtures. The marble writing desks which survive in the former lockbox and retail postal areas also deserve preservation.

The significance of the interior decorative program, particularly in the former public areas, circulation spaces and washrooms, so clearly in harmony with the architectural treatment on the exterior, implies a program of careful maintenance and the involvement of specialists for any rehabilitation.

The relationship of the building to its site and the area with which it is associated has remained remarkably intact. The important features are the grey granite planter boxes, the formal grass, hedge, shrub and coniferous tree planting and the public walkway and seating areas on the Church Street elevation. Future site development should respect and strengthen the intent of the original landscape program (as defined by the site plan and extant planting), and focus on the restoration of the landscaping on the Church Street elevation.