Recognized Federal Heritage Building
Northeast Salient
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Also known as Saillant nord-est
Exterior photo
Photo: (Rhona Goodspeed, 1995.)
- Built
- 1830–1846
- Recognized
- 1996
- By
- Government of Canada
The register’s text, word for word
Description
The Northeast Salient is an integral component of Halifax Citadel, a star-shaped fort on the crest of Citadel Hill in downtown Halifax. The Salient is a low-massed, ‘V’-shaped masonry projection in the northeast corner of the main work. Windows, gun-ports and loopholes pierce the two outward facing escarp walls, while a projecting freestone coping and shaped sod parapet top the wall. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage value
The Northeast Salient is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.
Historical Value:
The Northeast Salient is one of the best examples of a structure closely associated with the defence of the Imperial naval station of Halifax against potential military incursions by the United States following the War of 1812 and during the heightened tension following the Trent Affair of 1861.The upgrade of the Halifax defences and the resulting economic benefits had a significant impact on the community of Halifax.
Architectural Value:
The Northeast Salient is a very good example of a specialized, defensive structure integral to a permanent mid-19th century bastioned masonry fortification. Its low profile, reinforced construction are defensive features. Designed to accommodate various functions, the successful design was operational well into the rifled breech-loading, rifled muzzle-loading era. The structure exhibits very good craftsmanship and materials.
Environmental Value
The Northeast Salient reinforces the present military character of the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site setting and is well known to staff and visitors within the Citadel.
Sources:
Rhona Goodspeed assisted by Edgar Tumak, Consultant, The Citadel, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Volume One, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Building Report 95-001.
The Northeast Salient (including Casemates Nos. 15-33), Halifax Defence Complex, Halifax, Nova Scotia Heritage Character Statement 95-001.
Character‑defining elements
The character-defining elements of the Northeast Salient should be respected, for example:
The functional, aesthetically pleasing design and good quality materials, for example:
-The long, low massing and profile of the structure.
-The exterior escarp wall of rubble ironstone masonry pierced by windows, loopholes and gunports.
-The retaining wall of granite ashlar pierced by 19 regular casemate openings, one featuring a large arch, the rest featuring door and window openings at regular intervals.
-The casemates with brick, vaulted, bombproof roofs, covered by reinforced, concrete, asphalt, and shaped earth covered with turf.
-The ventilation system and fireplaces connected to chimney-stacks that project above the parapet.
The manner in which the Northeast Salient reinforces the present military character of the setting within Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and is a familiar landmark within the fort, as evidenced by:
-The specialized military design and materials that maintain a visual and physical relationship between the Northeast Salient, the Ditch and the interior of the main body of the fort.
-Its visibility to visitors and to staff within the fort.
End of the register’s text
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
44.64702° N, 63.58047° W
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From the Canadian Register of Historic Places, as last updated on December 12, 2025. The register’s text is shown word for word.