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Building 403

St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Formally Recognized: 1987/07/30

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Other Name(s)

n/a

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

1942/01/01

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2009/02/25

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

Building 403 is located within the self-contained community of Pleasantville on the north shore of Quidi Vidi Lake. It is a long, two-storey, flat-roofed, rectangular structure with low, horizontal massing and a white painted exterior. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Building 403 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
Building 403, as part of the former United States military base of Fort Pepperrell, is closely associated with the Second World War perimeter defence plan. This plan called for strategic continental outposts such as Newfoundland and Jamaica to be armed and fortified to prevent an attack on the United States. The base was vacated by the United States in the 1950s and is now owned by the Canadian government.

Architectural Value
Designed for the housing of troops, Building 403 is a very good example of a wartime wood and frame permanent structure that was conceived to be highly functional in design and construction. As a four-unit model, simple rectangular shapes and plain aesthetic elements are characteristic of its modern style. Integral to the complex, the structure’s architectural significance lies in its contribution to the overall visual unity of this cohesive group of modernistic buildings.

Environmental Value
Building 403 maintains an unchanged relationship to its open site and the adjacent structures. It also reinforces the character of the military base setting and is familiar to those living and working at the base.

Sources: Julie Harris, Pleasantville Site (41 Buildings) St. John’s, Newfoundland, Federal Heritage Building Report 86-016; Buildings 301 to 306, 308 to 314, and 806 / Buildings 401 to 410, 507 to 509, 511 and 512, Pleasantville, St John’s Newfoundland, Heritage Character Statement 86-016.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Building 403 should be respected.

Its modern design and good quality materials and workmanship, for example:
- the scale and low massing of the long, rectangular structure;
- the flat roofs outlined by simple extended eaves;
- the projecting wings and stairwell blocks and each entrance emphasized by a concrete block canopy;
- the highly functional interior divided into four, four bedroom units;
- the white painted shingles on the exterior walls and the size, form and spacing of the door and window openings.

The manner in which Building 403 maintains an unchanged relationship to its site, reinforces the military character of Pleasantville, and is familiar to those living and working on the base, as evidenced by:
- its ongoing relationship to its open site and the complex of buildings located within a suburban neighbourhood;
- the modern plain aesthetic of the utilitarian structure, which harmonizes with the cohesive grouping of buildings, and creates a strong visual unity on the base;
- its function as an apartment building that makes it a familiar point of reference.

Recognition

Jurisdiction

Federal

Recognition Authority

Government of Canada

Recognition Statute

Treasury Board Heritage Buildings Policy

Recognition Type

Recognized Federal Heritage Building

Recognition Date

1987/07/30

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

n/a

Theme - Category and Type

Function - Category and Type

Current

Historic

Defence
Military Support

Architect / Designer

Shreve, Lamb and Harmon

Builder

n/a

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

National Historic Sites Directorate, Documentation Centre, 5th Floor, Room 89, 25 Eddy Street, Gatineau, Quebec

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

2751

Status

Published

Related Places

n/a

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