Description of Historic Place

261 Duckworth Street,is a two storey concrete semi-detached building located in the downtown core of St. John's, NL. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building

Heritage Value

261 Duckworth Street has been designated for its aesthetic and historical values.

261 Duckworth Street is aesthetically valuable because it is a good example of Classical Revival style architecture. Constructed of concrete this 19th century building is solid-looking with heavy square pilasters along the front façade. The classical arch surrounding the front door has decorative pilasters and a heavy entablature. There is a keystone feature in the main entranceway and the front door is original, with glass and wood. The front façade features large square windows, which add to the overall solid massing of the building. A heavy entablature graces the eaves of the building and at the capitals of the pilasters are double eaves brackets with a circle motif between each bracket. This building is solid and stark, with severe classical elements.

261 Duckworth Street is historically valuable because it was once the offices of the Reid Newfoundland Company. The company is best known as the operator of the railway across the island from 1901 to 1923, but was also for many years the largest landowner in Newfoundland, a promoter in the development of the pulp and paper and mining industries, as well as owner and operator of the coastal boat service, a telegraph line and electrical services in St. John's.

Source: City of St. John’s Archives municipal designation file.

Character-Defining Elements

All original elements of the Classical Revivial style of architecture, including:
-exterior architectural details such as square pilasters, eaves brackets, circle motif, heavy entablatures, keystone feature;
-original wood and glass doors;
-height, form and massing;
-size, shape and fenestration of all windows;
-size, shape and fenestration of all doors; and
-recessed doorway with triumphal arch.