Hudson's Bay Co. Department Store

City of Edmonton Historic Resource Management Program

HUDSON’S BAY CO. DEPARTMENT STORE 10230 - JASPER AVENUE

Description of Historic Place

The Hudson’s Bay Company Department Store is a three-storey Tyndall stone and black granite commercial building occupying an entire block-face on Jasper Avenue in downtown Edmonton. Heritage Value Winnipeg architectural firm of Moody federal Department of Public Works The Hudson’s Bay Company & Moore, formed in 1936, which in Ottawa. Department Store is significant was among the first western Canadian because of its association with the firms to introduce the International Character Defining Elements Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), which Style to the Prairies. They designed played an essential role in the early the HBC Stores (both new buildings The Hudson’s Bay Company development of Edmonton. Having and additions) in Edmonton, Department Store is defined by been established as an HBC fort, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg and elements such as its: Edmonton’s growth was integrally elsewhere. - form, scale and massing; linked to the growth of the company. - minimal setback from the street; The 1939 building’s large size The Hudson’s Bay Company - projecting Tyndall limestone panels reflected the company’s later retail Department Store is valued as a with hand-carved historical figures growth and its strong presence in landmark along Jasper Avenue. The above the entrances; the city's downtown until the store former building occupies an entire - black granite panels along the street was closed in 1984. The HBC has also block-face with minimal setback, level and flanking the projections always had a store on this site prior sparsely articulated walls and little above the main entrances; to its move in 1984. fenestration above the ground floor, - stainless steel entry doors; which contribute to the building’s - large display windows with stainless The HBC Department Store is also imposing appearance, despite its low steel frames and low bulkheads; significant because it is a rare and horizontal massing. The large scale - retractable canvas awnings with excellent surviving example of the and prominent carvings on the stainless steel casements; Moderne style of architecture in building ornament the exterior and - Tyndall limestone panels on the Edmonton. Founded on smooth, contribute to its monumental scale upper storeys, including decorative clean and simple lines, the style paid and presence. inset panels on the second floor; tribute to the emerging machine age, - glass block windows on the second which reflected optimism for the The Hudson’s Bay Company floor with stainless steel frames; future. The design of the store was Department Store is also significant - angled corners of the south façade meant not only to herald in the new because of its association with with “speed lines” and a multi- age of technology, but also to ride architects Kelvin C. Stanley & coloured Hudson’s Bay Company the wave of success associated with Company, who designed the north emblem and inscription on the the new style and the economic addition in 1955. Stanley was second floor and a multi-paned recovery of the late 1930s and 1940s recognized for his prominent modern window on the third floor; which fostered it. designs in Edmonton, including the - stainless steel Hudson’s Bay 1957 Edmonton City Hall. He later Company signs on the main floor. The HBC Department Store is also became Director of Structures for significant for its association with the Expo 67 and Chief Architect for the