Prince William Streetscape National Historic Site of Canada

This streetscape comprises twelve public and commercial buildings in downtown Saint John, New Brunswick. These distinguished late 19th-century, masonry buildings are concentrated in a two-block stretch of Prince William Street in the vicinity of Princess and Duke streets.

Prince William Streetscape was designated a national historic site in 1981 because:

- this historic streetscape is distinguished by its rare concentration of homogeneous, primarily late 19th- century architecture; and

- the buildings represent solid, dignified and sometimes flamboyant interpretations of contemporary styles and building technology.

The heritage value of the Prince William Streetscape resides in the concentration of architecturally notable public and commercial buildings within a two-block area. Most were erected after the Great Fire of 1877, and their use of late 19th-century architectural styles, fire-retardant materials and fine craftsmanship illustrates the determination of the city of Saint John to rebuild its fortunes in the wake of the disastrous fire.

Source: Historic Sites and Monument Board of Canada, Minutes, June 1981.

Key features contributing to the heritage value of this site include:

- urban plan with buildings abutting each other and built up to the sidewalk;

- consistent scale of three to four storeys;

- masonry construction materials, primarily brick and stone;

- use of high-style, late 19th-century architectural vocabulary, particularly Italianate and Beaux-Arts;

- elaborate detailing and craftsmanship.