Armoury

The Armoury is located on flat, open ground in a tree lined, urban street of St. Catharines. The large, brick structure has a sturdy, military appearance with a gable roof, arched windows and large drill hall. The main street elevation features crenellated towers and 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 a closely associated with the development of the Active Volunteer Militia during the period preceding the First World War. It is also associated with the reform and expansion of the volunteer militia and reflects the federal commitment to provide good local training facilities. The Armoury serves as the regimental headquarters of the local militia and continues to function as a drill hall.

Architectural Value

The Armoury is valued for its very good aesthetic design. The bulky, rectangular shape of the armoury is relieved by the irregular roofline and the contrast of its two basic constituents. Crenellated towers, jutting chimneys and window arrangement of the street elevations accentuate its appearance. Its very good functional design is seen in the large, open volume of the drill hall expanded by overhead Fink truss system. Very good craftsmanship is evident in the crenellation and other stone detailing such as the troop door surround.

Environmental Value

The Armoury reinforces the present urban character street setting and is a conspicuous neighbourhood landmark.

Sources: Jacqueline Hucker, St. Catharines Armoury, Napier and Lake Streets, St. Catharines, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 90-160; St. Catharines Armoury, Napier and Lake Streets, St. Catharines, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 90-160.

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

Its very good aesthetic, functional design, and good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example:

- the massing, and proportions, the large gable roof and irregular roofline;

- the exterior walls constructed with brick and quarry-faced stone;

- the rhythmic course of arched windows;

- the crenellated corner towers of the main façade, the jutting chimneys, and the regular fenestration pattern of the street elevations;

- the gable-roofed drill hall;

- the large troop door;

- the stone foundation, the stringcourses, and copings;

- the large unobstructed drill hall with exposed iron Fink truss system.

The manner in which the Armoury reinforces the urban character of the setting and is conspicuous neighbourhood landmark, as evidenced by:

- its scale, design and distinctive profile that reinforce its downtown setting;

- its prominent location and specialized military role that make it a well-known community landmark.