Armoury

The Armoury in North Vancouver, also known as the Lieutenant-Colonel J.P. Fell Armoury, is located on a sloping site adjacent to a residential area and Mahon Park. It is a large, two-storey, low-massed structure, which conveys an image of strength and permanence. The main entrance is through a large troop door. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

The Armoury is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value

The Armoury is associated with the expansion of militia training facilities at a time of tremendous local and national growth. It is a rare example of its type and scale west of Ontario. It is also associated with the 6th Field Company of Canadian Engineers, for whom it was built, which later became the 6th Field Engineer Squadron.

Architectural Value

The Armoury is a good example of an armoury built to the standard plans of the period 1910 to 1915. It is a straightforward, utilitarian construction intended for military purposes. With little superfluous decoration, its purpose was the provision of generous drill space, classrooms and armouries. Its characteristic features of brick, timber and steel construction balanced its functionality with the presentation of a dignified public face to the neighbourhood.

Environmental Value

The Armoury is compatible with its setting of parkland and residential buildings where it also plays an important role as a familiar landmark in the neighbourhood.

Sources: Jacqueline Adell, Armoury, Forbes Avenue and 15th Street, North Vancouver, British Columbia. Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 87-141; Armoury, Forbes Avenue and 15th Street, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Heritage Character Statement 87-141.

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

Its aesthetic style, used for military purposes, using good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example:

- the large scale, symmetrical, low-massed building with a gable-roof;

- the brick and masonry walls punctuated and articulated by corbelling, piers, pilasters and multi-paned industrial windows;

- the main troop entrance in the central bay;

- the large segmental windows;

- the simple interior characterized by the large, open volume of the drill hall under the exposed painted steel Fink trusses.

The manner in which the Armoury in North Vancouver is compatible with its setting and is a familiar community landmark as evidenced by:

- its construction into a sloped site where it melds into its residential and parkland setting;

- the armoury’s large scale and distinctive design which makes it a landmark in the neighbourhood.