Recognized Federal Heritage Building
Shipwrights' Shed / Spar Shed, Building D113
Esquimalt, British Columbia
General view of the Shipwrights' Shed / Spar Shed, Building D113, 1989.
Photo: Agence Parcs Canada / Parks Canada Agency, I. Doull, 1989.
- Built
- 1901
- Recognized
- 1991
- By
- Government of Canada
The register’s text, word for word
Description
The Shipwrights' Shed / Spar Shed, Building D113, an elongated one-storey, gable roofed brick structure, is located on a sloping site and is one of a group of Dockyard buildings situated on the road to ‘A’ Jetty at the Esquimalt Dockyard. It is detailed with stone dressings, corbels, friezes, vaults and archways. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage value
The Shipwrights' Shed / Spar Shed, Building D113 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.
Historical Value
The Shipwrights' Shed / Spar Shed, Building D113 was part of the Royal Navy Dockyard shipwright’s department and is directly associated with the operational maintenance of the Pacific Squadron and with the principal function of the Dockyard. It is historically significant as it was the location of the ceremony for the formal transfer of the Dockyard and other Royal Navy properties from Great Britain to Canada in 1910. It was constructed as part of the Royal Navy’s 1895-1904 rebuilding program.
Architectural Value
The Shipwrights' Shed / Spar Shed, Building D113 is a good example of the small shop-and-storage facilities found throughout the Royal Navy section of the Dockyard. It exhibits good functional design and quality craftsmanship. It is distinguished by the corbelled friezes and circular openings within the gables which are characteristic of many Royal Navy Dockyard Buildings.
The Environmental Value
The Shipwrights' Shed / Spar Shed, Building D113 reinforces the character of the streetscape of Hospital Road and the road to ‘A’ Jetty. It complements the gable-roofed facades of Building D51 and D75-76 which face the road. It maintains an unchanged relationship with its sloping site and is a familiar landmark within the Dockyard.
SourceIan Doull, Dockyard, CFB Esquilmalt, Esquimalt, British Columbia, Federal Heritage Building Report, 89-202; Building D75-76, D80, D113, Esquimalt Dockyard, Esquilmalt, British Columbia, Heritage Character Statement, 89-202.
Character‑defining elements
The following character-defining elements of Shipwrights' Shed / Spar Shed, Building D113 should be respected.
Its functional design and quality craftsmanship and materials, for example:
-its elongated one-storey, gable-roofed structure and rear two-storey façade;
-its exposed full masonry basement level;
-its window and door openings defined by rock-faced ashlar with dressed margins;
-its construction in brick and rich detailing of stone dressings, corbels, friezes, vaults archways and historic openings
The manner in which the Shipwrights' Shed / Spar Shed, Building D113 reinforces the character of the streetscape on Hospital Road and within the Dockyard as evidenced by:
-its physical relationship to Buildings D75-76, D80, D77 and D109 which together form a visually distinctive and cohesive streetscape.
End of the register’s text
Location
Esquimalt, British Columbia, V9A, Canada
48.43000° N, 123.43500° W
Get directions (opens in a new tab)Being on the register doesn’t make a place open to visitors. Many are private homes or businesses; please view them from the street.
Loading map…
Building D70within 100 m · 1937
Building D214within 100 m · 1943
Royal Garrison Artillery Barracks’ Blocks, Building 1075within 100 m · 1902
Building D80, former Cordage / Furniture Stores Recognized Federal Heritage Buildingwithin 100 m · 1902
Building D38within 100 m · 1904
Warehouse Building D85within 100 m · 1898
Similar places
Places whose register descriptions are closest to this one.
From the Canadian Register of Historic Places, as last updated on December 12, 2025. The register’s text is shown word for word.