$1.6M renovation transforms Edmonton’s Canada Permanent Building

by arslan_ahmed | April 12, 2023 1:23 pm

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The Canada Permanent Building, which has been a downtown Edmonton landmark for more than a century, has undergone extensive internal renovations worth $1.6M, to update the building’s infrastructure while preserving its vintage charm.

Carrie Candy, the building’s spokesperson, explained the entire structure was stripped down to the studs, and new walls, ceilings, floors, and electrical systems were installed. However, the unique features of the building, such as the stairs, railing, and outer facade, were retained. The building’s restoration cost of $1.6 million, was mostly financed by the building owners, with the city contributing approximately $110,000.

The Canada Permanent Building was constructed in 1910 by contractors Pheasey & Batson and designed by Roland Lines for $65,000. It served as a bank for the Canada Permanent Mortgage Company and later became a Japanese Village restaurant. The question now is what the building will house in 2023.

According to Alex Hryciw of the Downtown Recovery Coalition, the building’s restoration could aid in revitalizing downtown, which has struggled since the COVID-19 outbreak three years ago.

The building contains three floors, each with 232 m2 (2,500 sf) of space and is suitable for various events and functions, such as weddings or restaurants. The building is a rectangular structure built with reinforced concrete and faced with red brick and stone. The front facade features extensive classical detailing, with three bays outlined by Ionic pilasters that stretch up to the second storey, where they support an entablature adorned with a heavy cornice embellished with modillions and a broken segmental arched pediment. The front entrance is in the third bay and is crowned with the segmental arched pediment bearing a carving of a winged lighthouse, the symbol of the Canada Permanent Mortgage Company.

The flat roof is bordered by a stone balustrade with urns and a central date stone, which features an Adamesque swag garland with tassels. In addition, the rectangular and arched windows on the front facade have multi-paned transoms. The spandrels between the first- and second-storey windows of the other two bays are ornately carved, providing a striking contrast to the front entrance’s detail.

The Canada Permanent Building is an example of the Edwardian Baroque style, and its architectural features are a testament to the building’s historical significance. The province and city declared the building Provincial Historic Resource in 1995.

City Coun. Aaron Paquette believes the Canada Permanent Building’s restoration could inspire other developers to restore Edmonton’s historic structures. He believes younger generations should learn about and appreciate the structures built by previous generations.

As the city sees a rise in remote working and fewer businesses occupying downtown real estate, people require a reason to visit downtown, and the restoration of an old building sparks interest in people of all ages.

Source URL: https://www.constructioncanada.net/1-6m-renovation-transforms-edmontons-canada-permanent-building-interior/

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