Waterloo Post Office

The clock and tower of the Waterloo Post Office command the streetscape of the city's downtown core, acting as a prominent landmark at the corner of King and Dupont Streets.

The local Dominion Life Assurance Company, donated the land to the Crown in 1909. Prior to World War I, army cadets used the large rear portion of the building, for armoury and drill work. Inside, the Post Office occupied the first floor of the building, the Customs Office was on the second floor, and a caretaker's apartment was on the third floor. In 1967, the building was transferred to private ownership and was leased to the University of Waterloo, for its Optometry School until 1975.

The Waterloo Post Office was constructed in the Romanesque style, a style often used for Federal Post Offices, in the early 20th century. The exterior features include round-arches and rusticated sandstone around the window openings of the upper floors. The use of rusticated sandstone on the ground floor was a developing trend towards the construction of fortress-like structures and represented strength, stability and power of the armouries and the postal system. It also represented the independence and pride of the country in general. The original imposing corner clock was removed, due to decay in 1956, and a modern one was added in 1969. In 1987 a sympathetic clock, based on the original drawings and specifications, restored the original look of the building.